Help. My driver side (left) rear parking brake cable is broken just outside the drum housing. Does anyone know how to fix this? Thanks.

 

Yea a fairly simple fix, quick run down of repair.

Remove the rear wheel.

Back off brake shoe self adjuster and remove and brake drum.

Remove brake shoes.

Release inner cable from shoe.

Release cable housing from backing plate and pull out of plate.

Other end release cable from equalizer bar outside drivers side frame rail forward of rear axle.

Reverse to install replacement cable.

Don't forget to readjust brake shoes, spin self adjuster manually until light drag is felt while rotating tire by hand.

If you need or want exact instructions for all or any part of the job just ask, you should find it a simple repair using just basic hand tools though.

A set of drum brake tools does make the task easier but a par of pliers to remove/install shoe retainer springs and a appropriate sized regular screw driver for shoe return springs will work just as good in a pinch.

 

You should be able to get a replacement cable fairly easily from Advance or Orielly. If not try Rock Auto. Replacing it shouldn't be too difficult. Here is what my Chiltons says. By the way, the equilizer is located on the driver side outside the from where the front cable meets with the rear cables.

Raise and support rear of vehicle.
Remove wheel and brake drum.
Remove the tension limiter.
Remove the locknut from the threaded rod and disconnect the cable from the equilizer.
Disconnect the cable from the frame bracket and pull the cable and housing out of the bracket.
Disconnect the cables from the brake backing plates.
With spring tension removed from the lever, lift the cable out of the slot in the lever and remove the cable through the backing plate hole.
Install is reverse of removal.

 

Thanks guys...Another question. Mine is 8800 GVWR which I believe makes it a Heavy Duty. Is this right? I want to make sure I get the right cable. Also, it sounds like I should go ahead and change out the brake shoes while I'm in there (they are pretty worn at 116k miles). Does anyone disagree with this? One more question. Since my brakes do not vibrate at all while stopping (meaning nothing is warped), do I really need to turn the drums?

 

Yes it is HD. If worn then fit new shoes (should be 12" x 3"), maybe get a hardware kit as well. No you should not need to turn the drums unless badly scored.

 

Thanks LK.