I seldom bother with the parking brake, but last weekend I applied it while on ramps to do an oil change. It was hard to press down, and later won't fully release. It seems like the cable is binding somewhere in the sheath. Is it difficult to replace this whole cable? I've lubed all the exposed ends and tapped away at it but it hasn't loosened at all.

 

Backed off the cable at the rear axle end so the brakes aren't stuck, ordered a replacement cable.

 

So anyway, replacing the cable wasn't hard. Crawled underneath, undid some bolt on clips, loosened the rear adjuster some more and it came off. The hardest part, which really wasn't difficult, was pulling up some carpet to get at the grommet where the cable comes through the floor. Works great now, cost about $30. Took about an hour, including tightening up the rear adjuster again.