5211 brake spring cannister

[tom_n_ms]

Spring cannister--if not working right can they cause the park brake not to release?? Looks like one end can be taken loose by removing a cotter pin but other end goes into the rear axle housing...can I release the front end of the spring cannister and try to work it back and forth to see if it is free..Don't want to disconnect something up inside the axle housing and have a bigger problem.. Suggestions please..Thanks

 

[tom_n_ms]

Disconnected front end of cannister spring thing and tried to work it back and forth..no movement toward the back-feel some spring pressure when pulling the rod to the front but don't feel like very heavy spring pressure..Does this sound normal? Thanks