2009 LS Coupe parking brake

[9944pure]

Hi,

The parking brake no longer works on my 2009 Cobalt LS. Unfortunately I don't know much about car repair, especially under-body work, so my question is: what exactly do I need to get it working again? I don't know what's wrong with it, only that it doesn't work. If the parking brake lever is lifted as if to park, there's no tension whatsoever, so I have to park the car in first gear (it's a manual transmission).

I'd be very appreciative of advice on what parts I need, whether or not a non-mechanic such as myself would be able to install a new parking brake or repair the existing brake, or if I need to take it to a shop and have it put on a lift. Not really comfortable using the teeny factory jack to hold up one side of the car while I wiggle around underneath.

I'm not entirely sure how the parking brake assembly works, hence my dilemma. I've looked for parking brake parts and kits but I'm not sure what I need, exactly. Any advice or explicit instruction on what to buy and how to proceed would be great. Thanks in advance!

 

[YelloEye]

When did it start doing this?

You can pull up the rear cup holders and should see the e-brake splitter right there, make sure it's secure and both cables are connected.

 

[9944pure]

It started doing this about a year ago.

I just checked under the cup holders and saw more or less exactly what's shown in your picture:



I pulled each cable to determine any looseness or slack and found none.

Also, thank for the response - it's a start!

 

[YelloEye]

Hmm... Next up I'd pull the rear brakes and see how much pad you have left.