emergency brakes

I have a 1999 Sephia. We bought it used in the fall, the emergency brakes didn't work too hot than. lately not at all. Last night my dad and I installed new real pads, and tighted up the cable (which is also new) as much as we could on the handle end. They still will not work at all. Polling the handle does very little, but it is moving the cable. It also appears that the cable is pulling more on the driver's side than on the passengers. My regular brakes work better than ever, but I have nothing when it comes to my parking brakes. Does anyone know how to adjust the cable from underneath the car, or if there is any other trick to get the brakes working? Or at least where to look?

Thanks

I think you said u put pads on the rear? If you have pads on the rear is because you have shoes inside the rotors that are for e-brake only. If you have drum brakes on the rear which is most likely what you have. Remove your drums and look on the top of the set up just below the wheel cylinders there is a lever that is black on one side and has what I want to call splines these are facing another piece which is bronze in color. The more of the longer lever you see the thighter you e-brake get the more on the little lever you see the looser it gets. You should never have to adjust your cable. Make sure that the drum fits thihgtly but not to tight where the drum won't turn at all. If you need more info or maybe an illustration I'll try to post one for you