Stuck Parking Brake...

[Chris in Idaho]

Well, I've had this truck about 4 months now (1986 K1500 Short Bed) and for the first time tonight I put the e brake on. When I pulled the release the pedal snapped back like it's supposed to but the truck is stuck. I crawled under but didn't spend too much time because it's dark, raining, and I don't need to go anywhere... but I rattled the cables around and they seem loose. I can rattle the front cable up and down and it seems loose but I can't really tell on the rear two, since they're inside sleeves I can't really tell if they're under tension or not. Is this common? The truck is my daily drive and I haven't had an problems with the brakes in normal driving so I don't think the shoes are rusted to the drums or anything like that. Should I just go ahead and replace the cables or is there something else I should check for first? What's the best way for me to try to release it?

Thanks

[78 Chevyrado]

First I'd pull the drums and look inside. if they're stuck you'll have to bang on the drum with a hammer to free it. the cable could be binding where it goes in the backing plate, or something could be hung up inside the drum.

[piecesparts]

Common problem with these trucks. If you do nothing else: just get down beside the truck and put your foot on the cables and give it a good push towards the driveline. That will reset the E-brake pedal to full out and give you comfort in driving. However the casue is that the cables get a little dirty and they hang up.