[quickcurrent]

I was trying to replace the brake rotors and pads on my 2008 Uplander, when I found out I could not squeeze the rear calipers on both sides. So I went and got rebuilt Raybestos calipers, but am having a problem with the emergency parking brake cable, that I hope someone here can assist me with.

The emergency parking brake cable has no slack to allow the end to be pulled off the old caliper and re-inserted into the rebuilt caliper. There is a convoluted union of the two cables going to each wheel that uses a bolt and what appears to be a collar with two 10mm nuts wrapped half way around with a cover making the nuts very hard to get at. Also the entire union sits atop the rear axle and it has been exposed to the elements over time and has much rust and crud on it. I've cleaned it with a rag and sprayed lots of penetrating oil on it last night to try to turn it to provide the slack I need to unhook the cable end and reconnect it to the new caliper. Still no go. Turning the nuts also turns the cable rather than the nut turning about the bolt. So I have some questions:

1) How big a job is it to replace the portion of cable going to the left rear wheel if I cut the cable?
2) Alternatively, could the spring on the caliper be disassembled safely by removing the bolt holding it to the caliper or is it likely to cause injury?

Thanks,

quickcurrent