Parking brake sticks

[betty2000]

My 2000 PT limited edition is in at the garage. The parking brake was not working. They stripped it down and replaced the shoes. But now the brake stick on, and they don't seem to know why. It appears with the drum off that the shoes lean slightly out from the back plate, is this normal?
They are now saying to replace the back plates, but looking at the manual and checking forums I can see no reason why this would affect it.
Help??

[UptownSport]

I've seen backing plates wear out once.
I ordered new ones, but the customer never came back to have them replaced-

Sounds like the cable got rusty? Do they salt roads where you live?

You can check this yourself, pull on cables, see if springs return them.

[betty2000]

Thanks, sorry for the ate response, it seems that the location holes in the back plates were worn sufficiently for the shoes not to locate properly. we spot welded and ground it back to shape and now seems to be fine.....on the other hand the head gasket has now gone and while doing it found the exhaust intake was cracked.
The joys of PT ownership...a Ferrari would be cheaper.

[UptownSport]

OOOOOh no it wouldn't.

Exhaust manifolds crack/warp on just about every vehicle.
(stack-o four)

I know this because I walk thru Junkyard and look- Frequently.

Cylinder head gaskets also fail- The make, and sell, TONS for every vehicle/engine made.

You can weld manifolds (use nickel rod, also heat w/ torch, stress relieve with slag hammer while cooling slowly):


PT blocks and heads are excellent- They don't crack or break.

Now imagine you have a Porsche Boxster and your engine looks like this:


Can you say $15,000?

You can take your PT to dragstrip every weekend for the next 5 years and you won't see an engine failure.