Seized E-brake

My 99 has a seized E-brake, always has been since I owned it, but it isn't seized on, its seized off, I always have to put it in gear when parking, or I carry a few bricks if I have to leave it running for whatever reason. Just getting tired of it not working. It pulls out, clicks, and the brake light comes on, but I can do it down the highway and not even the slightest resistance begins. Any help on how to fix it? I tried to tighten the cable just to see, still nothing. Going to do all my brakes soon so I plan to tackle it then. Any advice would be wicked!
Thanks!

 

Either they are way out of adjustment to the point that the E-brake is not engaging the shoes, or it is unhooked somewhere between the pull rod to the drums. Have you ever removed the rubber plug from the backing plate on each side and turned the adjuster?

 

A possible issue is the bell crank. The bell cranks (where the cable meets the brake drums) are notorious for seizing.
Pretty easy to check just have someone pull the ebrake while you watch where the cable meets the drum. If the cable tightens but the bell crank doesn't move, it is seized. You can buy replacements made my Dorman for pretty cheap.

If the cable doesn't move on the rear axle then there is something seized or broken before that point. Just follow the cable back and see where the movement starts/stops.

 

I had this issue too when I first got my truck. At first it was the cable from the pull handle to just under the drivers seat was snapped. I replaced the cable and found the lever was partially frozen under the drivers side. Got that free'd up and my bell cranks on the drivers side are frozen solid. You can pick up a bell crank kit from Amazon for $35 or the local parts store for $50ish. I haven't gotten around to changing the bell cranks yet, my passenger side works but the drivers is frozen....I'll get to it one of these days.

 

It was frozen bell cranks for me. Disassembled them, thoroughly de-rusted, cleaned and lubed them. Been fine ever since. I've got a great .pdf write up saved on my PC if you want me to send it to ya

 

My bell cranks were also frozen. I used an acetylene torch to heat them while hitting them in and out with a hammer while spraying them with PB blaster.

I also ran into a problem with the bell cranks during a week when the temps were around -5 degrees F . This low temperature caused water in the bell crank boots to freeze. This in turn froze my bell cranks. I solved this by removing the chunks of ice and re-greasing the boot.

Hope this helps,
Charlie