I've owned my 96 Trooper for close to two years and have not engaged the emergency brake. The main reason being is that I learned the hard way on 1967 Mustang that deploying the e-brake when it is not used regularly it will stick (forwarned by my dad--I hate it when parents were right). Since the fine details of the vehicle condition were unknown at the time of purchase I decided to leave well enough alone. So, should I not ask for trouble and leave the emergency brake alone or start using it and get it in shape? If I do start using the brake and it gets stuck is there any easy/simple fix for it? Thanx in advance.

Use it. The cabling is like the brakes in a bicycle. If you even worked on a bike then it should be a no brainer. Get underneath and make sure that the cables slide through the sheath. Bring it to a tire guy and feed him some beer to check it for you.

Hand brake turns in snow are one of slices of life which should not be avoided due to fear of malfunctining saftey equipment, or lack of snow. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

A '67 Mustang has drum brakes. If you set a drum parking brake while it is wet it can dry and become 'stuck' sometimes.

I think p-brake technology has changes a bit in the last 30 years.

Steve G

I was thinking/hoping that might be the case.

Parking brake tech has come along way but...on the Rodeos the parking brake is still drum based. You have a set of brake shoes that are inside the rear discs. So our parking brake technology hasn't really come that far.

If you have a vehicle that has true drum brakes you really need to use them, that's how they adjust themselves. Unless you back up and slam on the brakes hard often.

I say start using it. If it sticks fix it.

The fact that there is a SECOND brake for the e-brake IS a technological improvement. If this smaller drum brake were to 'freeze' up it would break free a lot easier than a full sized drum brake.

Steve

Just gonna through this out there FWIW. I see you live in MI. so I would sugest caution using the e brake when it is wet and temperature will drop below freezing. I have had brakes freeze before(but on OLD vehicles). Just something else to consider.
Also, as it has not been used in a while there is almost certainly some rust build up in there. To clean off the drum surface try applying the e brake slowly while driving slowly (in a parking lot etc.) you should be able to feel or possibly even hear the difference as the brake drags.

Wife's 1997 Jetta did the same thing. It's because some moisture built up in the lines and froze. Easily fixed with a brakeline replacement on the cheap by the mechanic.

Here's my only reason to do it:

It's a safety feature.

I believe that you cannot run any trails at the Zu Zoo without a functioning e-brake, nor should you try. I've also had the dubious honor of trying to stop two vehicles using nothing but the e-brake and a liberal shortening of the life of the clutch on that vehicle. In one of those cases, I would have seriously screwed up mine and several other people's days had I not been able to safely stop my car.

If for any other reason, do it for safety's sake. It may drag, it may freeze, but at least make sure it works well...