Repair question- 1995 Taurus, cost for E brake?

Question

Just trying to see if this place is ripping us off... went in for a state inspection, and they said (among many other things) that the E brake drop line to the rear callipers was rotting, and needed to be replaced. OK, done. Then upon re-inspection, the car passed but as we drove away, my husband noticed that it felt like the brake was engaged and indeed, it was, it was smoking out the back end. We turned right around and brought it back... the mechanic said "Oh, I knew the callipers needed to be replaced..." though it was not on our original list of stuff to fix (and he did both inspections!!) The E brake will now NOT disengage. They can fix it, of course, for about $250.

Is this reasonable? If we've never had a problem with this before and it was fine before it was in their hands, is there anything we can do so it won't cost us, or cost so much?

all the other repairs cost more than the car is worth!!

Thanks.

Answer 1

Bull c**p! The calipers on your car have absolutely nothing to do with the emergency brakes. One of two things is wrong. The emergency brake cable is adjusted up too tight or the emergency brake coil return springs right beside each caliper is rusted and weak. They are a bear to replace as new ones have a lot of tension on them. You should let off the emergency brake adjuster nut under the left rear passenger seat and replace the two small coil pig tail take-up springs. I do it with a brake spring tool or Vise-Grips.

You'll need to get these springs from your local Ford Garage. Their purpose is to keep the rear emergency brake cable tight which overcomes the mechanical lever action on the rear brake pads. These rear springs keep the lever action open not allowing the rear brake pads to drag on the brake discs.

The jerk you have working on your brakes is too lazy to fix only what is actually wrong. He wants to do it the easy way and replace the whole d**n caliper because with the calipers you get a new springs.