emergency brake problem

Hey everyone. I'm 16 years old and I've been trying to learn how to work on my own car because I don't really have a dad to teach me these things.

I've got a 2005 Mustang V6, 5-speed, and I've been fighting with the emergency brake for what feels like forever. I've replaced the handle, both cables, calipers, brake pads… pretty much everything I could afford to replace.

I've adjusted it every way the manuals and YouTube videos say to. Four clicks, tighten the nut, back it off until it just touches… I've tried it all. The brake still won't hold the car.

My mom has done everything she can to help me, but we've run out of both money and ideas. I'm trying really hard to figure this out instead of giving up or paying someone I can't afford.

If anyone has run into this before or has any ideas that I might have missed, I'd really appreciate the advice. Even if it's something simple, I'm willing to try it.

Thank you

Have you tested the calipers? The pistons can seize (and they will just because of age). Do a short test drive with some need for breaking and touch the brake rotors with your fingers, if you can touch it for a second, it is around 60 degree celsius. Compare left with right. If you have a temp difference the piston does not move freely. You can use an infrared thermometer also, but only high price brands are precise on shiny metal surfaces, the cheap ones do work, but the measurement is off.

From my experience the pistons starting to seize around 20 - 25 years of age and it depends on the caliper if it is easy to replace/clean them or not. It is not a beginners task.

we replaced the calipers about 2 weeks ago with new brake pads and everything so we’re sure the pistons are ok- I’ll test them tomorrow when I have time though. I think the issue is in the cables and maybe tensioning. when I pull the handbrake, the cable only pulls the handbrake hardware part that connects the cable near the caliper about a quarter, maybe half inch off its resting point. I’ve tried tightening the 10mm adjustment nut in the center console but I can’t tighten it too much and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.