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Need help with ER brake problem!!!

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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 03:19 PM
  #1  
meck1's Avatar
meck1
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Need help with ER brake problem!!!

I need help with a problem on my '94 Ranger emergency brake. This is the type brake on which the ER cable to the rear of the truck does not go directly to the ER brake pedal. Instead, the cable wraps around a spring-loaded wheel that is to the side of the pedal. This is supposed to be an automatic tensioner.
The problem is that when I push down on the ER brake pedal, the spring-loaded/tensioner wheel does not move or pull the ER cable until the brake pedal is nearly to the floor. Only then does it begin to turn and pull the ER cable as it is supposed to. But it doesn't pull it nearly enough to set the ER brake.
It seems that I need to get more spring tension in this thing so that it will move as soon as the ER brake pedal starts being depressed. Can someone tell me how to increase this spring tension? If there is a thread where this has already been discussed, please help me find it. Thanks.
 
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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 08:34 PM
  #2  
Eaglefixer's Avatar
Eaglefixer
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I have a 96 Ranger that i had problems with the emergency brake and it turn out to be a broken spring and bar that was inside the left rear brake drum so i would inspect under both my rear brake drums
 
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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 11:43 PM
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The cables could be nearly frozen with rust. The rear cables are the most likely to freeze up.
...Terry
 
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Old Oct 14, 2010 | 04:29 AM
  #4  
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meck1
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The rear brake parts are fine and adjusted. All cables are okay. The problem is in the mechanism where the ER brake pedal is. When the pedal is pushed down, it goes seven clicks before it begins the very first pull on the brake cable. There is no room left to push the pedal down enough to fully pull the cable and adequately lock the rear brakes.

Has anyone tried to get rid of this automatic tensioner that Ford has blessed us with? If so, how did you do it? Thanks.
 
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Old Oct 14, 2010 | 07:15 AM
  #5  
03 Maz B23's Avatar
03 Maz B23
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There should be a locknut on one of the cables underneath to make an adjustment. Should be where the the two rear cables feed into a connector to the one cable that runs to foot pedal. If your rear cables are the originals can guarantee one or both are frozen in place. You may think they are moving but they aren't. To verify paint a red dot on last leg of cable where it enters sheath to feed to rear shoes. Go and set your brake with foot. If dot is in same place you have one or two frozen cables. If you are lucky they froze when totally released and not partially set. I have replaced both cables on my neighbors 97 and the left rear on my 03. On the 97 when brake was set it would hold but when brake was released it would hangup and cause brake drag.
 
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Old Oct 14, 2010 | 10:58 AM
  #6  
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powersmoked
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Originally Posted by meck1
The rear brake parts are fine and adjusted. All cables are okay. The problem is in the mechanism where the ER brake pedal is. When the pedal is pushed down, it goes seven clicks before it begins the very first pull on the brake cable. There is no room left to push the pedal down enough to fully pull the cable and adequately lock the rear brakes.

Has anyone tried to get rid of this automatic tensioner that Ford has blessed us with? If so, how did you do it? Thanks.
I just replace my cables and I took pics and posted them on another site.it was a pita. are you sure your cable are just not stretched out. after i replaced mine it was like a totaly different brake....
 
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