Jeremybd

I have line on an '84 4000s quattro that I want to buy for a winter car but the e-brake doesn't work. Seller says the cables are siezed...but who knows if he's correct. In the state I live in the e-brake must work to pass inspection, so it would have to be fixed...figuring the worst, how much am I looking at to fix this? Anyone have an idea? TIA...

AudiSport4000

Any idea the last time it worked? The calipers may need replacing as well as the cables. Or they may just be out of adjustment? On my car only one side works, and when it works, it sticks and I have to manually get under the car and release it at the caliper.

85-4kq-girl

You'd need new rear calipers (blau sells them for $120 each) and new parking brake cables. I just had to do this with mine...sucks but now my ebrake works.

There are ways you can rebuild the rear calipers instead of replacing them...but someone else will have to chime in with that DIY.

--morgan

87 4ks

Best case would be just needing cables. Worst case would be replacing or rebuilding the rear calipers. I'm too cheap to buy something I can fix, so I rebuilt my rear calipers. Only cost was for new piston seals and dust boots, some o-rings, a couple oil seals for the levers, and some caliper paint. One of these days I am going to do a write-up on how I rebuilt mine with part numbers and sizes for the o-rings and seals. For now I just have this pic of all the parts.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/68233/rear_caliper_exploded_diagram.jpg">

AudiSport4000

Id love to know how to rebuild calipers. Ive only replaced my pads/rotors, and thats been nearly 4 years ago! Im going to need new rear calipers at some point so I can install the parking brake cables you sold me.

Katman

Both are quite common. No way to know, untill you get down an look.

Hopefully, it's a cable/cables as tehyare a bit less expensive, and a bit easier to deal with.'

But just a bit! :-)

From what I understand, L &amp; R parking cables are different part numbers, AND different lengths.

Keep track of what is what...!

AudiCoupeAficionado

part numbers.

Thanks! GR8 post!

mt6127

As I recall, the 84s use a two part cable system - the front part runs from the cabin to a junction in front of the rear diff, the rear parts run from there to the calipers. If the handle pulls up with no resistance, you have a broken cable or need to adjust. If it doesn't pull up easily you have a stuck cable or stuck caliper. On the calipers the cable fits with a ball end and clip - you can disconnect and lube to see if you can free it up or if the handle can pull the cable end in, plus you can try rotating the part on the caliper to see if its working. I'd bet is the rear part of the cable so you may try some cable lube. I had my rear cables done for me - figure 1 1/2 hours mechanics labor if you provide the parts.

Whitjr

Travelling all the way from the Penna border to Carsile with the ebrake stuck.

BTW, you can get these parts from Chris @ force-five for less that where Morgan got them.