So i have a 1997 civic ex ad i noticed that the rear brakes feel like their always on and its hard to start at first gear. The dash light is off and turns on when i move the handle, but the handle has no pressure and is all super loose. Any help as to why this is happening would be greatly appreciated. thank you!

 

Adjust your your rear brakes and your e brake

 

Cable(s) may me seized.

 

I can't adjust them since the brake is on and the covering on the braking system wont come off even if i hit it with a hammer.

 

How would i fix this?

 

At least verify that it is the cable is actually seized first.

 

There are thread holes on the face of the drum. If you screw properly sized bolts into the holes, the drum may pop off.

 

can you take apart the center console and see if there is tension in the cable when the handle is down? what "covering" can you not get off?

 

You may have to do this if the cable(s) is seized. IIRC M8x1.5 bolts will fit in the holes RonJ mentioned. Thread them in and press the drum off of the hub. Try not to use a hammer.

If the cables are seized with the shoes locked against the drum, you may end up bending the shoes trying to press the drum off. Be prepared to buy new shoes and a spring kit, in other words.

Once your in there, it should be easy to see what the issue is.

 

Thanks for the help guys, my dad has some mechanics background and i told him what you guys said and i guess when he changed the shoes about a month ago he put the springs backwards which made the brake not opperate how it normally would. He was able to pop the covers off (with some trouble) with a screw driver and some wd40 since the brake wasnt stuck all the way on. He just put it back how it was and re adjusted them and now my handbrake is hard as f*** to pull up -_- lol but fixed. Thanks once again!