Allright, I bought an escort from a coworkers husbend. He used the car for a few years as an interstate runner, and kept it in good shape. There's hardly any rust on it, and the interior's in awesome shape... Reason for the $75? P/O owned a curb at 45, bent the rim slightly, and bent the lower control arm... control arm's $50, and I'll see what I can do about a rim, but there's another issue.

It just had frount brakes done, but I guess not the back... and yeah, p/o must have not used the e-brake at all. Car runs perfect, but now it's stuck at my house. When I parked it, I pulled the e-brake, then released the e-brake handle, car no move... DAMMIT.

At least it's not in the way, but... I still gotta get it unstuck...

My plan is to drag it into my garage, put it on jackstands, and pull the drums off... then soak the e-brake cables with PB every hour for a while, and try them... then I'll use heat, and yeah. I dont wanna cut them, because I feel a functional e-brake's critical in a stickshift.

Can anybody offer any other advise?
BTW this car bluebooks at $900 in fair condition... nice interior, decent exterior, 1.9, 5 speed, power windows... Clear title... i like this car... might keep it for a winter beater... who knows? I'll most likely sell it for profit... The deal was too good to pass up, a junkyard by me will give me $100 for it as is...

Cant beat that...

Tks alot, I appreciate the help
~Nate

 

cant help but saw the "75 dollar escort" and figured it'd be a good read...

 

Disconnect the cable from the drums. More than likely, the cable is seized in its housing. Replacements aren't all that expensive either. Sounds like for $75, you got yourself a good deal.

 

Sometimes, you can reach under the car, grab and shake/yank the cable several times with vigor, and it will release.

 

Yeah, that's why I bought it... Today it was schedualed to be towed to a junkyard. It's a REALLY nice car, minus the crash damage ($100 or so)

Might just give it to my cousin when she needs a car... A few advantages for that. First one, it's a ford, second, she'd be driving a stick, and third, she'd have to learn that if u dont maintain a car, it WILL die...


I'll see what's up with it tonight... I hope that I can move the dang thing before the snow storm hits...

I was gonna spend my tax return on a digital camara, but, a car ended up being cheaper
~Nate

 

yea those escorts are good cars i've got one with 310,000 on it has a cracked block and blown head gaskets (it's 100% all my fault). I was actually looking at a replacement commuter car civic geo etc.. and called my cousin with the wrecker to come scrap it. but he said if i really like the car why not buy another one and keep yours for parts. so thats what the deal is now i'm looking for a $75 escort as we speak


not actually mine but close

 

same color as mine... mines a 4 door, with the 1.9 (BOYAH)

I'm home for lunch, so I jacked it up, and pulled the rims... I beat the crap out of them with a lead hammer, and now they turn freely. For better or worse, they're unstuck

I'm driving it to shop class after lunch, and I'll have my shop teacher look at it.

~Nate

 

The teacher said not to bring it there again untill I have it registered and plated... He didnt look at it, and he's kinda p/o'd at me...

I guess it's school policy to not allow vehicles into the shop that arent registered yet...

Any ideas on how to have a functional e-brake without spending $60 on cables?

Tks alot
~Nate

 

based on the last comments you made prolly just gotta grease up the cables with wd40 and it will work fine prolly just rust and crudded up

 

Alright, I got another idea for you. I'm not sure of the year of your new ride!, but On my 99 Escort zx2 and my 04 F150, the emergency brake has a self adjuster in it. It's the connecting link (strut) between the two brake shoes above the hub. I'll bet if it has it that it (the self adjuster) is seized. It happened on both my car AND truck. It's been a while, but i believe those older escorts had the same adjuster. If thats the case, put it out, put it in a vise, soak it with penetrating oil, and work it with pliers until it frees up. I've never had to used heat, just force. Once free, coat with never seize and reinstall. Fix for the cost of some penetrating oil and never seize! Good luck with it, post back if you need more help. Good luck with flip #2!

 

Tks for the encouragement... I might sell this one to a family member for a winter beater, or a first car to my 16 y/o female cousin...

OR, I'll sell it to someone who wants it...

It's a 95 Escort, 4 door, hatchback, with the nice rims, and a spoiler. Hardly any rust, good (but dirty) interior, runs great... It's got 185,000 miles on it, has a cracked exhaust (reweld needed), passengers side rear door has opening/closing issues, the door chime's stuck on at all times unless the car's off, the hatch doesnt close, and it needs a new control arm, axle, and rim.

I'd get pics, but I was going to spend my extra $100 on a digital camara, but I came across this car, so, there went my extra scratch
~Nate