[Johnunit]

I've got a 94 Explorer 4X4 that's been parked for months, in a fairly confined space (no place to jack it up, barely room to get under it), and when I tried to move it, it quickly became obvious that the rear brakes, or emergency brake which was on while it sat, has becomes seized. The actual brake pedal and emergency brake pedal feel normal, and the emergency brake cable has some slack in it. I've tried the obvious as far as working with the pedals, a trick someone suggested involving a vice grip on the e-brake line, and then trying to hammer the line in towards the back of the vehicle. none of them seemed to do anything. I even got desperate and tried just stepping on the gas in drive, and then in reverse, but gave up on that pretty quickly for the sake of the drivetrain.

I'm working with limited space and, since it's winter, somewhat limited tools (no torches or anything like that), and any advice would be greatly appreciatted. I'm trying to sell it, and obviously it's worth a bit more if it doesn't need to leave on the back of a tow truck.

[F&J]

Sounds like the brake shoes are stuck to the drum from moisture. If you get a BIG hammer and whack the drum...but you have no room to pull off the alloy wheels to do so?

Maybe a hammer under the car and hit the backing plates in a few different spots. Hitting the edge of the drum would work better if you can do it without messing them up.

[kruzr]

Try spraying WD-40 or good penetrating oil in the cable housing first.If it's a 4x4 and it runs,put it in 4 Wheel drive,start it up and rock it back and forth.....should break the rears loose. Or at least it should pull itself out to have room to work on it Maybe you can get a small propane torch in there to "warm" the cables and backing plates a little......my 2 cents hope it helps

[boatbob2]

Hi,im not familiar with the explorer. BUT,if it has drum brakes,go under and with a screwdriver,push the adjuster spring back, then using the adjuster tool(spoon) screw the adjusters in. that should release the shoes.

[Johnunit]

thanks guys, I think I can do all of those, and yes I probably have room to get the rim off. Most of those are also ideas I haven't heard before, and I'll try them next weekend when I'm back where the truck is and tell you all if it works. thanks very much.