[JFang4130]

I stopped while driving through a dealership today and I went to set my handbrake. I pulled the lever and it had no resistance at all. I released it and pulled it again and suddenly it got really firm and didn’t go up even half way. I released it and after driving a bit I smelled burning and when I got home, my passenger side rear wheel was really hot and my brakes were smoking. I assume my caliper is seized, has anyone had an issue with this? If so, how do I fix it?
Note: I live in Michigan and it’s winter. I saw that there are issues with handbrakes in the cold, but I set it and released it 3-4 times in the dealer lot before this happened. I have a 08 9-3 2.0T

 

[MadRomeo]

Sounds like the parking brake mechanism on the caliper is sticking/stuck. You could possibly free it up, completely release the parking brake before trying. If it got that hot, you could possibly be looking at needing fluid bled, as well as pads and rotors (try to replace in pairs).

Edit: Noticed the Michigan and winter portion, maybe check for ice buildup?

 

[cavedudejeff]

Your rear calipers are seized up at the emergency brake portion. My 05 did the same thing recently. I unhooked the e-brake cable on the offending side for a few days and then went to replace both calipers.

Just be mindful that if you unhook one side your e-brake won't work and you will need to leave the car in gear and chock the wheels when you park

 

[olbert]

I stopped while driving through a dealership today and I went to set my handbrake. I pulled the lever and it had no resistance at all. I released it and pulled it again and suddenly it got really firm and didn’t go up even half way. I released it and after driving a bit I smelled burning and when I got home, my passenger side rear wheel was really hot and my brakes were smoking. I assume my caliper is seized, has anyone had an issue with this? If so, how do I fix it?
Note: I live in Michigan and it’s winter. I saw that there are issues with handbrakes in the cold, but I set it and released it 3-4 times in the dealer lot before this happened. I have a 08 9-3 2.0T

I have an 2005 arc. Anecdotally, The rear calipers are crap. I already rebuilt em once. The pistons stick in the bores. I think theyre killing my rear wheel bearings with the excess heat too.
Gonna buy some remans at some point.
I improved them a bit when i overhauled though. But remans are the real fix.

 

[qwikredline]

9-5 uses drum in hat ebrake.9-3 is different, it uses a caliper ratchet mechanism for disc brake e brake actuation. The ratchet mechanism can fail. I have a couple of spare good used saab rear calipers that could help you for shipping plus ten bucks. First check the casting number on the rear caliper to be sure what I have will work for you