1990 Buick Riviera Transmission Park Brake

recently i put stuts in and had the car in nuetral to tun the axles and i did a dumb thing and started it up put in gear and back into park it made a loud noise and i shut engine off now i think the park brake will not work the axles turn in park it still will go in gear and reverse ok but my question is can it be fixed easy or is it a major job or maybe it cant be fixed dont want to spend a fortune on a old car do you think it will cost much and can i see the part if i drop the trans pan down it is automatic with overdrive ect. jim

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Answer #1: Posted by Troubleshooter101 on July 29th, 2019 11:26 AM

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Troubleshooter101

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It cannot be fixed very easily but you can check these scenarios

Your parking brake is stuck due to rust or corrosion.

Over time, the parking brake can become rusty or corroded. Once this happens, the cable that engages the parking brake can get stuck. This can be a harder problem to diagnose and fix in your driveway or garage. If rust is the trouble there's a good chance you'll need to call a tow truck for help, but you may be able to get the parking brake unstuck if you:

Disturb the brakes manually. Apply and release the brake a number of times.
Shift into drive and reverse, and back between drive and reverse again to slightly move the vehicle back and forth. This may dislodge some of the rust.

If you're comfortable doing so, check for rust or corrosion by doing a visual inspection of the parking brake cable underneath the car. If the cable or surrounding parts look corroded or rusted, they may need to be replaced.

How can you avoid this one? Using the parking brake every time you stop or at least once a day can make it more difficult for rust to form on the surface of the cable and help your parking brake stay in working order.

Your parking brake was engaged too hard.

If you were channeling your inner-Hulk when you applied the parking brake, you might have accidentally jammed it. Pulling the brake with all of your strength can get the brake shoes stuck against the walls of the wheel drum, and even stretch out the cable that runs from the brake handle to the wheels. If you've tried to release the parking brake repeatedly but with no luck, it may be time to call for a tow truck and seek professional help.

Cars may be created equal, but they don't stay that way. Cables wear thin and pieces rust. Make sure you're properly engaging your parking brake and staying ahead of potential brake problems with regular parking brake checks and free inspections at your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care. And remember: it's best to avoid driving with your parking brake engaged. If you can't get it unstuck, call for roadside assistance or a tow to avoid further damage to the brake system.

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