E brake cable
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 137
From: tucson
E brake cable
I suddenly find that my emergency brake is no longer working. When I crawled under the truck, I found that I have about 2 1/2" of play in the cable that runs from the cab to under the bed. I'm stumped. I'm trying to think of what might have fallen out or off. I did an axle swap about 6 months ago, but I swapped the cables to the wheels at that time. ????
john
john
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 49
Have you checked under the truck at the cab/bed intersection to see if the linkage is still there. There should be a pivoting bar that attaches the rear cables to the front. Its too dark for me to take a picture right now. Maybe the pin holding the lever fell out?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
I suddenly find that my emergency brake is no longer working. When I crawled under the truck, I found that I have about 2 1/2" of play in the cable that runs from the cab to under the bed. I'm stumped. I'm trying to think of what might have fallen out or off. I did an axle swap about 6 months ago, but I swapped the cables to the wheels at that time. ????
john
john
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 14
From: Tucson, Arizona
I have a '66 F100 LWB truck and live in Tucson. If you'd like to come over and see how my e-brake is configured you'd be welcome to. Send me your e-mail address or phone number and we can set it up.
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 137
From: tucson
Thanks for the offer SuperSabre, I realized when I did the damage while I was taking a shower. Last weekend I replaced the front spring shackle bushings on both sides. I did them one at a time, putting one side up on stands and then working on replacing the front bushing. When I would lower the wheel I was working on, it must have stretched things out. Now I need to check the damage.
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 137
From: tucson
Update. I started checking things this afternoon, The e-brake cables are not releasing at the wheels. I'm not sure yet if the springs on the end of the cables are now overly compressed or if they are hanging up inside the brake assembly. When I get the cables to release, all the slack goes away.
john
john
Trending Topics
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 860
Likes: 13
From: Asheville, NC
Hey John,
You have two trucks listed on your profile; I am assuming u are speaking of the 66. If the cables are sticking within the housings, then both the rear assemblies can be sourced from NAPA - When I revamped a 66 F100 2WD e-brake system about 5 years ago each rear cable was about $20. The front cable from hand control to junction point is a bit more difficult to find. When I did the other truck and the rear cable assemblies were a bit sticky; I had months b/c was a slow rebuild so left them in a pan of old engine oil for several months which freed them up. You said in a post below that you had replaced leaf spring bushings and thought you may have stretched the cables; did you replace leaf springs at the same time? When I replaced leaf springs on one truck it actually lifted the ride height in the rear two inches - maybe you just need to adjust the threaded rod that mates the front cable to the spreader that connects the two rear cables and adjust the shoe to drum clearance on the rear brakes. Just a few thoughts; good luck and hope you solve the issue soon.
You have two trucks listed on your profile; I am assuming u are speaking of the 66. If the cables are sticking within the housings, then both the rear assemblies can be sourced from NAPA - When I revamped a 66 F100 2WD e-brake system about 5 years ago each rear cable was about $20. The front cable from hand control to junction point is a bit more difficult to find. When I did the other truck and the rear cable assemblies were a bit sticky; I had months b/c was a slow rebuild so left them in a pan of old engine oil for several months which freed them up. You said in a post below that you had replaced leaf spring bushings and thought you may have stretched the cables; did you replace leaf springs at the same time? When I replaced leaf springs on one truck it actually lifted the ride height in the rear two inches - maybe you just need to adjust the threaded rod that mates the front cable to the spreader that connects the two rear cables and adjust the shoe to drum clearance on the rear brakes. Just a few thoughts; good luck and hope you solve the issue soon.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 137
From: tucson
Thanks for the reply. I added short helper springs to the back to level things out after replacing the bushings. I'm going to pull the cables off this morning and check for replacements.
john
john
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Walleye Hunter
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
1
Sep 17, 2017 06:09 PM
powerstroker100
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Aug 17, 2015 01:16 PM
florida boy
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Apr 7, 2011 10:33 PM