So I have come to offer the possibility that "stretched e-brake cables" is a myth. I find it a little egotistical for someone to think that they can "stretch" e-brake cables with one arm/hand and render the cables useless just from drifting or everyday usage.

 

I broke the cables in my 96 cavalier trying to power slide.

 

haha, you were in a cavalier, that was karma.

 

tim likes this post.

 

How shall the Mythbuster show to fix such a problem, thats the question.

 

when it strech's its just unwinding... its one of the reasons why there a adjuster on the shifter for the cable...

 

well metal does stetch

 

yea im pretty sure over the 15 year life most people have on their cables, it will have stretched. also, I know ive tightened mine and after a while you can notice it now allows a farther pull. so, yea not from one day but over time i'd say it happens for sure.

 

So wait, you believe that when someone yanks up on that lever providing "leverage", and then locks it into place providing enough preload on the rear brakes to hold the vehicle still on inclines etc, that is constantly there until the brake is released, keeping constant tension on some thin strands of metal, its just going to magically never stretch and last forever ?

 

Just because you don't believe they stretch doesn't mean its true. It is well known that they stretch eventually. Like Z28 was saying, the system is designed to give you a mechanical advantage (or leverage) making your pull a lot stronger than you are thinking.