E-Brake Replacement Cost
 

I have the '03 arc model w/man. trans. My e-brake got stuck on the last/top notch and I had to have it towed to dealership to have them release. They said the entire e-brake mechanism under the console needed to be replaced as a result of strectching. They did say the cable going back to the brake itself was ok but the entire mechanism/system needed to be completely replaced and the cost with labor would be $500 USD. Seeing if anyone else has had this problem fixed or replaced and what their cost was. I was not expecting it to be this much let alone a problem at all, i thought it just needed to be released. Trying to determine if this isa fair costor too much. It was taken to a Saab dealership.

RE: E-Brake Replacement Cost
 

If I were you I'd call a junkyard for that assembly and done it myself. It can't be that difficult to do. Shouldn't be more than a $100 part. I'm surprised at that diagnosis though. Did you have a look yourself?

RE: E-Brake Replacement Cost
 

I did not take a look myself as it requires taking apart the center console and would not know how to do that let alone look for what is wrong. I will probably pick the car up on Monday and have nothing done at this time; it is winter here and i can always park on a downslope for the time being. I still can't believe that it would be that much so I am going to call some of the local Saab shops and get their estimates and go from there. Thanks for the junkyard idea, I will definately look into that.

RE: E-Brake Replacement Cost
 

I wouldn't bother fixing it until spring as well. I stopped using my ebrake when temps got below freezing cause the ebrake was being frozen stuck. Had to torch the rotors to get it unstuck.

RE: E-Brake Replacement Cost
 

Got the car back this morning; learned it was something with the releasing mechanism in the parking brake assembly that broke and as a a result the whole assembly needs to be fixed. The brake is released and car is driveable so at this point I will be contacting some of the Saab shops around town to get their estimates. Hopefully it will not be anywhere near the $545 estimate the dealership gave me. Thanks for the help again.