1999 Cougar Parking Brake problems and bumper repair information

[JHatchett83]

Hello, I have been lurking for some time now and this seems to be a great place for information. I have a few problems with my Cougar and I hope you guys can help!

My first question is about my parking brake. For some time now it has been very flaky. It will generally stay in place when I engage it but, if I bump it with my hand or something while it is engaged, it disengages and it will even have trouble being engaged in the first place if I try to pull it up too high. I have been searching for information on this problem to no avail. Does anyone have any idea what the problem may be and how I might go about fixing it?

My next issue has to do with the picture below:



I have been asking around whether or not this is fixable simply by using a fiberglass repair kit (or some other less costly solution) or if I have to get it replaced entirely. I have gotten very mixed reviews. Hopefully I can get better clarity here. Does anyone know if I can use a repair kit to fix it and how I would go about doing this? If not, any ideas on how much the replacement of the bumper will generally run me (So I have an idea before I head off and get over quoted somewhere).

I hope I have been specific enough and if not please let me know (pretty new to this). Thanks for any and all info you can provide!

[bigd1180]

1st You could have a weak spring so it wont lock in place. Get a repair manual it should have a diagram of this and the spring inside
2nd Take the 2 nuts behind fender off and top piece will come off making this repair easier. Go to a auto parts store and pick up some JB weld and some 80 grit sand paper and thinner. Sand the crack real good then clean with thinner. Apply the weld between crack. You will have to find a way to hold the 2 pieces together for at least a half hour if you get the quick weld and longer for regular weld. After that is set try and sand behind crack on inside of bumper, sand, clean with thinner and put on a good coat on crack. You should be good to go until you hit something agian!!! LOL