Yeah completly ripped apart the e-brake. That was another thought I had. I first un-tightened it using the cable adjusters near the handle itself, and that didn't help. Then I ripped apart the ebrake mechanism in the rear and the shoes/rotor looked ok. I did only rip apart one side though. Too lazy.

What do you guy's think of this idea. I was thinking to rule out calipers/pads once an for all, removing the caliper from one side only, put a piece of wood inside the caliper (to act like the rotor so the piston doesn't pop out) and wire it up to my strut just temporarly. does this sound stupid? I'm running out of ideas. It really sounds like pad rub but I've removed and cleaned them twice.