Ok, I know we have a pretty sucky e-brake, but has anyone solved this? Mine worked for 5 years without a problem, then one day I believe the cable magically grew 3" and is now as loose as a college sorority chick. I thought ok, maybe I just need new pads. So I just put new pads on- its worse. I have tightened it up as far as it goes at the lever and both cables are seated into the cable from the handle. If I'm not in gear, I can raise it up to like 75 degrees, get out (only if its level pavement, obviously; heaven forbid it hold on an incline) and push my car. There is some tension present, but I think i can pull on the cables with my bare hands and have more grip.

 

Never fixed...can't stand it...every time I'm on an incline I get out and watch my car for a minute just out of paranoia that I might forget to leave it in gear one time.

 

Inspect the cable, make sure there is tension at the back brakes, take the wheels off and watch the E-brake move the pad, if it doesn't... somethings broke

 

Dude, I know EXACTLY what your talking about, GM made a Shitty Ass E-Brake System for the Cobalt SS 2005-2007 and thank God I have an Extended Warranty on mine or else my E-Brake Issue would have Cost me OVER $850.00 to Fix!!!! My Problem was Comparable to yours, Worked fine then all of a sudden over a couple day period it went from Pulling it up a Couple Inches to a Foot or So and even then it wouldn't Hold for ****! They tried to "Adjust" the E-Brake twice I might add and it would work for literally 2-3 Days then the same Crap would happen, It turns out they had to Replace the whole Rear Brake Caliper and they are Very Expensive on the SS, Good Luck Bro...

 

our ebrake sucks, all gm caliper ebrakes do. im constantly adjusting mine to keep it right. even so i dont trust it. when i park my car i shut it off, let it roll ahead till its held by the tranny/motor, then pull the parking brake up.