Parking brake cable issues

[tj62]

Hey all, I'm finally almost road ready, but want to make sure I can stop if my brakes fail, so I'm working on the parking brake. 62 c10. The handle pulls 3-4 clicks and locks, Ive tried adjusting around the cables to no clicks, 6 clicks, etc so I know from the handle back to the rear all is well.

I took off the drums and noticed the cable inside the housing is loose enough to wiggle around, but with the brake handle pulled tight, the cables outside along the frame are tight, but inside where it is supposed to move the lever to lock it, isn't moving.

I think its in the metal, spiral sleeve that's about 6-8 inches long on the backside of the wheel frame where the cable goes into the housing. i've sprayed BP blaster all in and along it, hit it with a hammer to try to break the rust loose (if that's what's causing it) and I'm lost as to what to do now aside from tearing everything loose and trying to thread a new cable through it.

Would heating it with a torch then knocking it around help loosen it or any other ideas?