Thread: 2004 GTP Rear brake problem

My 2004 Grand Prix GTP Comp G has a
rear brake problem. I started to hear a scraping sound from the left
rear ( drivers side) wheel and looking at the rim I see a lot of
brake dust on it Also, recently I noticed that my e-brake pedal will
not depress when stepped on, stays in the up position and will not
budge. I took the wheels off both sides in the back and see that the
inner pad on the left side is shot. When I use a screwdriver to move
the e-brake lever on the caliper, I can move it to the engaged
position but when I remove the screwdriver pressure the tab does not
spring back... I have to push it back. But that's the case on both
sides, left and right, and the right side does not seem to have a
scraping issue. Here's my questions …...
1. How do I determine if it is the caliper that is stuck or a rusted/ stuck e-brake cable at the wheel ?
2. These calipers are the new type with the built in e-brake... I don't like these ….. how hard is it to get the e-brake cable off of them and back on.
3. How do you turn these pistons back in, assuming I don't have to replace the caliper.. since these are expensive??
4. If I have to replace the two e-brake cables going to the wheels, how hard is it to get that back together and adjusted ?

Thanks for any pointers..... I am trying to avoid bringing the car to a shop.. but I am stumped on how
to decide if I need to replace the caliper or the cables or both …. Thanks..

Unhook cables and try to disengage park brake. U screw the piston in to back it off

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

Also keep in mind these calipers with the ebrake in them is known for having issues and needing to be replaced.

Thanks guys .... I guess since I am used to the old setup that my 1997 GTP has in the rear.... simple caliper without the e-brake built in... I am not sure how to diagnose this. The e-brake petal will NOT depress at all..... caliper mechanism is hard to move with a screwdriver and stays in the position you pry it to unless you pry it back..... pads on drivers side look like the caliper kept pressure on them to wear them out.... but not sure if that is because of a bad caliper or the e-brake mechanism being stuck.. why they had to complicate these calipers boggles my mind..... and now they are like $80 ea !!
How do I get the e-brake cable off the caliper ?? Should I take the caliper off the mounting and try to just unload it and wiggle it off or do I have to get up in the middle of the car where the cable from the front comes down and joins the 2 back cables and somehow loosen up that tensioning gizmo that has a hex spinner on it ?? Thanks ..... Also,, how do you turn these caliper pistons in? Need a special tool ??? If so, is it in the loaner kits that some of the parts stores loan out ??? Man this used to be such an easy thing to do ....

Don,
Thanks... that was a big help. On the Caddy how difficult was it to remove the wheel cables at the end away from the wheels ? Any pointers on how to do it,,, I have never had to replace those before....