I just bought a 96 civic lx for a good price but it has some problems. One of them is a loose parking brake (no resistance at all). I am told it could be a broken cable, or the cable needs to be tightened, or my rear brakes are bad. What is involved in checking out this problem. Is it something a lay person (myself) could check? Any help with this or any of my car problems will be much appreciated. the car has several problems and i am listing them separately (i.e. broken driver side power door lock, turn signals wont turn off after turning, loose parking brake, and I think that's it thus far, I hope). Asilo

 

If the parking brake is just out of adjustment, all you need is a 10mm wrench (I think thats the right size) and a phillips screwdriver. To make this adjustment simply remove the screws holding the plastic cover or armrest surrounding the parking brake handle. Once you get that off you will see a nut on the back of the parking brake handle close to a piece that has to cables running through the floor. Just turn the nut until you start to get some tension. If this adjustment is too difficult then it could be something else. If this method is working, make sure you get atleast 4-6 clicks when you pull up on the E-brake handle or else the tension may be too great and could result in some brake drag. Usually this is all I need to do. Hopefully there arent any real brake issues.