Parking brake help needed (stock rear drums)

[CityHick]

I am about to start throwing wrenches around!

I can not figure out how to get my stock drum parking brakes adjusted correctly. I get them to the point where the feel like they're grabbing but on the driveway the rig is still able to roll when out of gear. I've adjusted them every which way I can figure and I've never gotten them to feel like they're going to hold the rig. Twice now I've gotten it where it feels right but its like I can push the e-brake pedal too far down, where it is grabbing right until the last minute and the pedal over travels its sprocket, then it will never grab again. I've also tightened the cable adjuster to the point where the brakes are engaged when the pedal is not depressed. I'm getting frustrated - anybody else ever have this kind of problem?

Anybody local feel like bringing their rig over for me to compare with? There's plenty of cold beer here!

[Bronco Brian]

Re: Parking brake help needed (stock rear drums)

Are the drums adjusted right? Jack one up and use the auto Adjuster to get the brakes to almost drag.Than the other side. Than work on the wire adjuster.

[TBS-POPS]

Re: Parking brake help needed (stock rear drums)

You have a cable that is breaking... Prob the main one. or the floor is pulling up where the cable comes in from underneath to the pedel.... I assume you put the new long cables on the backing plates so I ruled those out. Check the others out first T...

[CityHick]

Re: Parking brake help needed (stock rear drums)

I wonder if it is the main cable breaking - that is the one part that is original. I have extended cables going down to the drums. I wonder how quickly I could get a new one... I am going on a trip in my rig, leaving Thursday.

The floor is not pulling up at all, and my brakes are adjusted correctly as far as I can tell. The breaking cable makes the most sense yet. I wonder if my local parts stores might carry such a thing.

[CityHick]

Re: Parking brake help needed (stock rear drums)

Pops you were right on the money. The liner on that cable is hating life and there's a section of it that ruptured - which totally explains the weird behavior I was experiencing. I will take a picture of the carnage later - it is pretty pronounced, but my camera battery is dead at the moment.

None of the local parts stores can get one anytime soon but WH shows them as a regular item. I will be placing an order for one very soon.

Now the question becomes - how the frick do you take that cable out? My haynes manual says to just pull it out but that does not make sense to me - it doesn't just pull out. Any helpful hints?


-Tony

[tim]

Re: Parking brake help needed (stock rear drums)

Now the question becomes - how the frick do you take that cable out? My haynes manual says to just pull it out but that does not make sense to me - it doesn't just pull out. Any helpful hints?
-Tony

The whole cable and housing is one piece, and if I understand what your trying to do is bull the cable out of the housing? If so, go take a break and have a beer. All you need to do is remove the cable end from the bracket and squeeze the doddad that sits atop the floor board opening. The doodad is like a little expansion bolt that once its through the hole, all its little fingers expand out to prevent it from moving back into the hole. It took some patience, but I removed it by using some channel locks. Yours may still have the rubber cover for it.

[tim]

Re: Parking brake help needed (stock rear drums)

Here's a picture of the whole parking brake system from the 76 factory manual. The doodad i'm referring to is in the upper left inset of the image. The instructions are probably the same

[CityHick]

Re: Parking brake help needed (stock rear drums)

I got it out. Now I need to find a cable, soon. Tim, it did take a pair of channel locks and fortunately a buddy stopped by who was able to squeeze the "doodad" while I pulled from underneath.

I attached a picture of the failure. It is pretty easy to spot the problem!

[Efibroncoman]

Re: Parking brake help needed (stock rear drums)

I'm sure that you will be able to replace it, but if worse comes to worse, I just pulled my main cable out and will not be using it again. It is in decent shape, but a couple of those fingers might be bent or broken. Otherwise I am just going to throw it in the trash.

[CityHick]

Re: Parking brake help needed (stock rear drums)

If I am not able to locate and get a cable on the way by Monday I will certainly take you up on it.

Thanks...

[TBS-POPS]

Re: Parking brake help needed (stock rear drums)

Dont ya just wish WH was open on Sat????? I think I would spend alot more if they were so I guess it's not a good thing....

[CityHick]

Re: Parking brake help needed (stock rear drums)

I would love it if WH was open on Saturdays - however I'm on call for work so even if they were I couldn't stray that far this weekend.

I will find a way to get that cable soon. WH isn't far so worst case maybe Monday or Tuesday I could drive there, or have them ship it early Monday so it arrives Tuesday or Weds.

[TBS-POPS]

Re: Parking brake help needed (stock rear drums)

Or pay for it and I could pu on mon and meet you somewhere...

[CityHick]

Re: Parking brake help needed (stock rear drums)

WH usually gets everything to me next day. I will keep you in mind though Jeff - thanks for the offer!

[Fordfreak]

Re: Parking brake help needed (stock rear drums)

I got it out. Now I need to find a cable, soon. Tim, it did take a pair of channel locks and fortunately a buddy stopped by who was able to squeeze the "doodad" while I pulled from underneath.

I attached a picture of the failure. It is pretty easy to spot the problem!

well you allready got it out. if i'm reusing the cable i put a small hose clamp on the doodad fingers till it's through the hole then take the clamp off. works