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How To Replace Parking Brake Release Lever assembly and cable WRITE UP
After looking all over the internet, I could not find any write up or video that showed how to replace the Parking / Emergency Brake Release Lever and Cable for our Super Duty trucks. That may have been because it is not very difficult, but I figured I would do a quick write up with pics and a few tips. Should only take you about 20 minutes. In my case, I am blessed with ten thumbs (not bragging) so it took me about 45 minutes.
Apologies in advance for pics being so huge. But you won't have to zoom!
MATERIALS NEEDED
Motorcraft 2C3Z2783AA Parking Brake Release Lever assembly with cable ($38.57 at dealer wholesale cost)
“Stubby” flathead screwdriver
Long flathead screwdriver
Philips screwdriver
1/2” socket
9/32" socket
10mm socket
String (about 18-24”)
Pliers (optional, see step 7)
Here is the broken lever. See that there is no cable as that is what broke...and you have to buy the whole assembly to get the cable (stupid).
1. Pop the hood and use your 1/2” socket to remove both negative battery terminals (you are pulling PCM so this is a safety precaution).
2. Remove the “fuse panel” cover below your steering column. You can use your fingers, or even the flathead screwdriver to pop the screws (¼ turn is all that's needed).
3. If your truck is equipped with the sound-deader plate below that, remove it using the Phillips screwdriver.
4. Use the 10mm socket to remove the two bolts holding the release lever (see pic below #5).
5. Use the 9/32” socket to remove the two bolts holding in the side of your PCM.
6. Use the stubby flathead screwdriver to wedge in between the PCM and the bracket so that you can see and have some room to work. Otherwise, go under the hood and fully remove your PCM (easiest all together, really, in retrospect).
7. Pry the plastic cable housing out of the parking brake assembly using the long flathead screwdriver. Please note that has to wedge-shaped prongs so you can either squeeze it with pliers or just pop it out forcibly with the screwdriver. Remove cable from parking brake assembly if still attached.
8. Attach new Lever assembly cable to parking brake assembly by feeding the cable first through the hole and then pushing the prongs into the hole. Let the rest of assembly hang by the parking brake foot pedal pad.
9. Feed a piece of string through the brake assembly release mechanism. This will save you TONS of time.
10. Pull the release mechanism (using the string) toward you so that you can feed the cable into the side / bottom of the release mechanism. Once accomplished, remove the string.
11. Put the release lever assembly into the two mounting holes and tighten it back down with the 10mm nuts.
12. Push your PCM back in and tighen down with the two 9/32" bolts.
13. Replace sound shield, fuse panel, and reconnect your negative battery cables.
Thanks for the effort and quality write-up, Tailgate!
I went ahead and quickly pulled together a PDF for this write-up and have attached it below for everyone's enjoyment. Obviously, the pictures are smaller in the PDF, but should be readable when printed.
After looking all over the internet, I could not find any write up or video that showed how to replace the Parking / Emergency Brake Release Lever and Cable for our Super Duty trucks. That may have been because it is not very difficult, but I figured I would do a quick write up with pics and a few tips. Should only take you about 20 minutes. In my case, I am blessed with ten thumbs (not bragging) so it took me about 45 minutes.
Apologies in advance for pics being so huge. But you won't have to zoom!
MATERIALS NEEDED
Motorcraft 2C3Z2783AA Parking Brake Release Lever assembly with cable ($38.57 at dealer wholesale cost)
“Stubby” flathead screwdriver
Long flathead screwdriver
Philips screwdriver
1/2” socket
9/32" socket
10mm socket
String (about 18-24”)
Pliers (optional, see step 7)
Here is the broken lever. See that there is no cable as that is what broke...and you have to buy the whole assembly to get the cable (stupid).
1. Pop the hood and use your 1/2” socket to remove both negative battery terminals (you are pulling PCM so this is a safety precaution).
2. Remove the “fuse panel” cover below your steering column. You can use your fingers, or even the flathead screwdriver to pop the screws (¼ turn is all that's needed).
3. If your truck is equipped with the sound-deader plate below that, remove it using the Phillips screwdriver.
4. Use the 10mm socket to remove the two bolts holding the release lever (see pic below #5).
5. Use the 9/32” socket to remove the two bolts holding in the side of your PCM.
6. Use the stubby flathead screwdriver to wedge in between the PCM and the bracket so that you can see and have some room to work. Otherwise, go under the hood and fully remove your PCM (easiest all together, really, in retrospect).
7. Pry the plastic cable housing out of the parking brake assembly using the long flathead screwdriver. Please note that has to wedge-shaped prongs so you can either squeeze it with pliers or just pop it out forcibly with the screwdriver. Remove cable from parking brake assembly if still attached.
8. Attach new Lever assembly cable to parking brake assembly by feeding the cable first through the hole and then pushing the prongs into the hole. Let the rest of assembly hang by the parking brake foot pedal pad.
9. Feed a piece of string through the brake assembly release mechanism. This will save you TONS of time.
10. Pull the release mechanism (using the string) toward you so that you can feed the cable into the side / bottom of the release mechanism. Once accomplished, remove the string.
11. Put the release lever assembly into the two mounting holes and tighten it back down with the 10mm nuts.
12. Push your PCM back in and tighen down with the two 9/32" bolts.
13. Replace sound shield, fuse panel, and reconnect your negative battery cables.
Done!
Tailgate77478, refering to this step 3 you mentioned?
3. If your truck is equipped with the sound-deader plate below that, remove it using the Phillips screwdriver.
What exactly does this look like this sound shield?
Do you have a picture, or Ford part number?
Is it factory original in some trim levels?
ATTENTION: Does any other forum member have any information on this?
Thank you very much.
Last edited by marksman76; Aug 5, 2023 at 04:05 PM.
Reason: Speiling
I did basically the same thing, except I was afraid to pry on the PCM, so I removed it to get access to the release lever. Took a little longer but I didn't want to be prying on a circuit board housing.
I am in the middle of this job right now.
Does anyone know if the small e brake release cable goes behind the PCM bracket towards the fender? Or does the small cable run in between PCM and PCM bracket??
Thank you
I did basically the same thing, except I was afraid to pry on the PCM, so I removed it to get access to the release lever. Took a little longer but I didn't want to be prying on a circuit board housing.
Kwikkordead, I just finished the job, except for re connecting my batteries.
Eventually I had to pry PCM towards transmission tunnel, and I did not like the feel of what I did.
Hopefully I did not damage/ruin my PCM
Thanks for the excellent write up with pictures. I plan on replacing the parking brake release cable on my 2001 Excursion in the next two weeks. Everything looks exactly the same as your pictures. Thanks again, great write up.
