I have an 88 760 with 220k miles on it. Anyway, the handbrake cable broke where it joins with the lever in the cabin, and I decided to just replace it. For the most part all is going well, excet that I can not seem to figure out how to remove the old cable from where it meets with the caliper (BTW do these cars use a separate brake pad for the e-brake? I always thought so but it sure doesn't look like it...) The connection is covered by a boot and I've found nothing in my (generally unhelpful) hayne's manual or here on the board as to how to remove it. Am I missing the obvious?

You need to remove the rear rotor (disc) and then remove the rear parking brake shoes. When the parking brake shoes are removed then you can push the pin out that actuates the parking brake. Then you can replace the cable.
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john

The emergency "brakes" are a set of pads much like a drum brake, that use the inside of the rotor itself as a drum. To get to the end of that cable you need to remove your caliper and rotor. It should be in the Haynes manual somewhere. There should be some information and tips in the FAQ about the cable R&R.

Good luck, this is not a fun job! While you are in there you may want to replace the emergency brake pads and lubricate everything.

Sean

arg, I had hoped it wouldn't be that in-depth; and all because a half inch long quarter inch diameter metal barrel snapped off 6 feet farther up the cable..
Well, it's about time to do the rear brakes anyway, I guess I'll just do them all at once. Not something I can finish up in 10 minutes though, sadly.
Thanks though,
Bob

It really isn't too hard to do - I've had to replace the cables more than once on my 89 745 and am just about to renew the shoes (they are SHOES BTW, not pads). You've to be careful with the orientation of the parts in the brake mechanism but, so long as you take careful note when stripping, re-assembly, as they say, is the reverse process. You're supposed to renew the bolts securing the calipers, but I never have and they haven't sheared off yet! BTW, don't disconnect the brake lines to the calipers - just hang them up with wire or something. Regards.
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BillB

Thanks, I appreciate it. I've actually done brakes twice (once the front brakes on this same car and once on a friend's Stealth), but never alone before. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be a problem though. At the moment I'm getting pressured by the girlfriend to just have it done at a shop since she thinks it'll be safer... I'd agree if I'd never done this before but that's not the case. Also I can use the money I save doing it myself to buy higher quality parts which would actually do more than having it done at a shop, I think. (Too many shops have amazed me with their incompetence...)

Anyway, enough of my rant. Thanks for the help!
oh and thanks for correcting my ignorance about pads versus shoes.

Bob