jimcpl

Hi, The button on the parking brake lever of our '97 Outback popped off awhile ago, but my wife didn't tell me about it until this past week. I found a workaround for the problem using a "wirenut": http://groups.google.com/group/alt.autos.subaru/msg/ccb44a7086cf075b and, I just tried it, and it works. It turns out that there's a small threaded shaft/rod that extends outward when you pull the brake lever up, and I was able to thread a yellow wirenut onto it, so now we can at least use the parking brake (and also release it !!), but it seems to me that if I could get the "correct" button part, that it would be easy to more "permanently" fix it, so I was wondering if anyone knew where I might get this part (the button)? I've been searching on the web but haven't found a source yet. I'll try the local dealers on Monday, but when we took the car in and asked to get it fixed this past week, I was told that the entire ratchet assembly had to be replaced and was quoted $325 for the repair (right!!), so I'm really hoping that I can find a button somewhere. I posted this on the Subaru newsgroup, and it was suggested to post here. So, if anyone knows where I might get one of these buttons, please let me know. Thanks in advance, Jim