park brake cable stuck

[bigred1]

I have 1963 gmc 1500 305ci. park brake is stuck, feels like the brake is on. Any suggestions?

[FetchMeAPepsi]

The parking brakes on these is VERY simple. It's just a cable that pulls a lever in the wheel.

I'd start by jacking up the back driver's side, chock the wheels with a big rock or a set of wheel chocks, and seeing if I could spin that wheel by hand. Remember if it's in gear you can't spin anything. Also it'll roll off down a hill that way so CHOCK THOSE WHEELS and be on FLAT DIRT.

Next step would be releasing the brake cable. You'll need to trace it from the cab through the firewall (just look underneath, super easy - it's the only cable under there). Then follow it down to the rear brake.

If it's stuck at the rear brake and not wedged on a piece of road debris that hung up under there or something, you need to pull the tire off, pull the wheel surround (I forget what it's called, but it's the thing the tire bolts up to) by just banging around it with a hammer until it breaks free, and looking inside at where it's stuck.
Once you get the wheel surround off it's very easy to see where the cable runs and how it works.

If you get stuck, post a pic and ask. Everyone here has been in those shoes I'd bet.

[bigred1]

thanks, I'll try that

[Prowbar]

My parking brake cable hung up as well. Was because everything was bone dry. I applied some graphite spray to the outside of the sleeve (near the rear drums) and that provided enough lubrication to loosen it back up again.
Haven't had any issues so far.