e-brake issue
 

Are the brakes on this car particularly hard to adjust? I went to a mechanic near my house for new pads/rotars since I was riding my bike home. I should have taken it to my usual mechanic, but didn't think it was a tough job and didn't think to call an Uber. Anyway, I get the car back and the drum brakes start smoking within a mile. I take it back to the station. Next day they call and tell me its ready. Same thing happens, but on just the passenger side. Leave overnight again and get it back with a brake that barely holds it on a hill. By this point, I don't think the station wants to see me ever again, but I stop by and tell them it isn't acceptable and the mechanic tells me to drive it for a few weeks and bring it back if I don't get used to it. Everything else is fine, but the parking brake wouldn't pass inspection.

Not sure what to do at this point. Do I pay my usual mechanic to get the tension right, or just buy jack stands and do it myself? I know its not a hard job, but I don't really want to be working on the car outside in 30 degree weather. I have half a mind to stop payment on the card until the station gets the e-brake right, but at this point, I'm doubting whether that will ever happen.

It's pretty easy, just your typical drum in rotor parking brake.

It is simple, if they could not get it right in 3 tries I would not let them touch it again. I would also worry overheat damage to brake pads and drum. I would get a competent shop to fix it. From there you have a warranty battle with the previous shop.

That's a good idea. If it was just the adjustment, I'd do it myself. Since the brakes were burning, I'll let my regular mechanic look at it and figure it out from there. If anything is actually damaged, I'll try to do a chargeback. If not, I'll just pay whatever my mechanic charges to look at it and move on.