Stuck E brake on 87 Scottsdale

Hi all! First post here, basically joined to get help on my father in laws truck. We are trying to release the emergency/parking brake on a 1987 Scottsdale 2WD (C20 would it be called?). The parking brake is stuck to the drum, and we really just want to drive to a shop to get everything fixed.

We were able to jack the car up and pound off the driver side rear drum, but we cant seem to loosen the parking brake to get the drum back on and make the truck driveable to the shop.

I'm assuming through some internet searches that the cable can be loosened somehow as it enters the rear of the housing, but a little unclear. Any help on what to do? here are some pics of what we are working with.

Thanks,
Steve

Welcome!

Looks like the Front shoe is cracked in that one picture. I am thinking that rather than the parking brake sticking you may just he able to back off the brake adjustment star wheel on the bottom and get the drums back on.

above or use a pry bar on em brk/self adjuster arm.

See the little star wheel on the bottom that's perpendicular to a shaft with threads on the bottom? You need to rotate that whichever way makes it retract into itself. That's the brake adjuster

Thanks everyone, backed of that adjuster and the drum easily slid back on. now we can get it to my friends shop. I appreciate you all.

-Steve

Goldie Driver said:

Welcome!

Looks like the Front shoe is cracked in that one picture. I am thinking that rather than the parking brake sticking you may just he able to back off the brake adjustment star wheel on the bottom and get the drums back on.

Click to expand...

Thanks for noticing, we will probably put new shoes on, and new E brake at least.

This truck is on its first set of brake shoes still, only 96,000 miles and always garaged!

Life lessons, never use an old E brake until you remove the drums and confirm it doesn’t get stuck.
Then if you plan on using the E brake, use it regularly, or not at all except in an actual emergency. Very common issue. Can’t push a rope (cable) when they get stuck and don’t retract on their own.

Grit dog said:

Life lessons, never use an old E brake until you remove the drums and confirm it doesn’t get stuck.
Then if you plan on using the E brake, use it regularly, or not at all except in an actual emergency. Very common issue. Can’t push a rope (cable) when they get stuck and don’t retract on their own.

Click to expand...

I set my e brake every time I park, just like the owners manual says! Mostly to make sure that it will work when I need it.

Grit dog said:

Life lessons, never use an old E brake until you remove the drums and confirm it doesn’t get stuck.
Then if you plan on using the E brake, use it regularly, or not at all except in an actual emergency. Very common issue. Can’t push a rope (cable) when they get stuck and don’t retract on their own.

Click to expand...

Good advice! My father in law never uses it because it had gotten stuck before. But I think my mother in law drove the truck and engaged it without really thinking about it.