E30 Zone

Hi all, having a few issues at the moment removing the parking brake cable where it meets the body (Pics attached). Its rusted through into the metal tube the cable runs down. I've soaked it in penetrating oil for a week now and tried drilling into the ferrule at the front to try and dislodge the rust, aswell as hitting it with an impact screwdriver and hammer but still no movement

I've seen on other forums to either cut the cable/ferrule or to use a blow torch on the metal but I'm a bit confused where exactly to make that incision or apply the heat. There's a metal brake line right above it so I don't want to cock this up.

Anybody else had this same issue and been able to overcome it or know where to make the cut?

Use a pair of grips where I have put the blue line and gently wiggle from side to side, if it won't budge spray some oil from the cabin side wait 10 mins and try again. If it really won't move the red line is where it joins the tube to the cabin so you could try using a hacksaw blade to try and break the rust weld. HTH

Thanks! I'll give that a go and let you know how it goes shortly...

Managed to get it off without a blowtorch or saw, just a lot of determination. Probably took a good hour each side. Here's how:

Used a pipe wrench as pictured to wiggle the front of it until I could see the ridge line where the cable met the actual pipe. Once that line was visible, I used hammer and chisel as far as all around as I could (just keep hammering and chiselling, over time that crack will get bigger). Use the wrench every now and again to see if you can wiggle it further. Every now and then, spray with penetrating fluid, now that there is a crack the fluid will actually reach.

Basically just rotate between the three and you'll get there.

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Mine were so bad I had to drill them out on both sides.

At least the replacements have plastic ferules so it will never happen again!

Paul