Parking brake cable secrets.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 133
Likes: 1
From: Lake Elmo, Minnesota
Parking brake cable secrets.
Aside from living in a dry arid climate, is there some secrets that anyone can share with me indicating how to keep park brake cables from rusting and seizing?
Mine always rust and seize where the cable moves in and out of its jacket.
I'm thinking of cutting a finger off a rubber glove, filling it with grease and attaching it securely at that junction.
Mine always rust and seize where the cable moves in and out of its jacket.
I'm thinking of cutting a finger off a rubber glove, filling it with grease and attaching it securely at that junction.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
Try rubbing some marine grease on the cable ahead of where it enters the jacket. As the wire retracts into the jacket, it'll drag some of the grease in with the wire strands. Marine grease resists wash out/off.
If it's already rusted tight, try a good rust buster, or make one from a 50/50 mix of tranny fluid & acetone, let it wick in, maybe over night, then see if it'll loosen up, if it has, then apply the grease. Let us know how it goes.
If it's already rusted tight, try a good rust buster, or make one from a 50/50 mix of tranny fluid & acetone, let it wick in, maybe over night, then see if it'll loosen up, if it has, then apply the grease. Let us know how it goes.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 819
Likes: 2
From: Northern Maine
In Northern Maine they put a calcium brine on the roads in the winter. It works very well melting the snow and ice but is also works good at corroding brake cables and hardware. It's almost an annual event to have to replace E brake cables as they are a requirement on the state inspections. I have found that E brakes work better if they are used every time the vehicle is stopped. If and when you do get your brake cable freed up, try using it more often.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 133
Likes: 1
From: Lake Elmo, Minnesota
Reply to my original post.
Thanks for all the feedback.
I use the park brakes often, but not every day. These are the originals (2001 Ranger, Minnesota climate). Left side is rusted just like it is welded. Right side still works. I purchased new ones at NAPA. Also purchased new drums and shoes at Advance Auto. The drums rust like crazy also where the shoes don't rub. A bitch getting the drums off 'cause the rust really builds up where the shoes don't rub. I'm going to keep the new cables greased. Also going to paint the new drums just for kicks. Aside from an occasional nuisance such as this, the truck is a keeper.
I use the park brakes often, but not every day. These are the originals (2001 Ranger, Minnesota climate). Left side is rusted just like it is welded. Right side still works. I purchased new ones at NAPA. Also purchased new drums and shoes at Advance Auto. The drums rust like crazy also where the shoes don't rub. A bitch getting the drums off 'cause the rust really builds up where the shoes don't rub. I'm going to keep the new cables greased. Also going to paint the new drums just for kicks. Aside from an occasional nuisance such as this, the truck is a keeper.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
If you got 17 years out of them in the twin cities, that's not bad at all! I have gotten to the point where when I work on the parking brake system I replace everything. New cables all around, new shoes/pads, new calipers, drums, rotors, etc.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
My own personal experience teaches me that you have to pay attention to the entire brake system. Believe me, I've had my share of Ranger parking-brake issues over the years....one time I replaced the entire rear brakes (and I mean everything on both sides ) only to have the rear passenger side wear down within a few months...turns out one of the parking brake lines was shot, causing the shoe on that side to slightly drag on the drum. Replaced the line, and everything was good.
I too reside in the so-called "rust belt", where parking-brake issues seem to be so much more prevalent. As such, like other things, I try to adhere to the "use it or lose it" principle in order to keep things functional.
I too reside in the so-called "rust belt", where parking-brake issues seem to be so much more prevalent. As such, like other things, I try to adhere to the "use it or lose it" principle in order to keep things functional.
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