Parking Brakes
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Spokane, WA
Parking Brakes
Ok, I've completely rebuilt the rear brakes, including all lines. Is there any reason that the parking brakes (from a supposedly '64 donor) are different lengths? I didn't notice any difference when I yanked them off the donor truck - why would I; and mine were cut off by the PO. I forgot the measurments, one is around 55", but there is about an 5-8 inch difference in length between the two, as installed. Mine's a '62 stepside. I think I must be missing something simple here.
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From: dundalk md
are you talking axle shafts? if so, unless I am mistaken, rear axle shafts should be Identical in length. 73-79 shafts will be a bit longer (1-2 inches) as ford widened the body a couple inches, but I believe 61-72 has same rear axle dimensions. If the two are that much off, it almost sounds like the shafts are from a 4wd front axle which would have the differential offset to one side, necesitating a long and short shaft.
Ron
Ron
Last edited by captcarstop; Sep 11, 2004 at 04:12 AM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Jeff, Since the outside of the cables ride in a frame stop can you make them match up that way? I ran into the same problem when I upgraded my 66 rear brakes to the 68 larger shoes. I had a big job the next day for the truck so I unhooked everything and reinstalled the 66 cables. I do have some spare parts and if you contact me with the length needed, I'll see if I can help.
John
John
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From: Spokane, WA
Thanks for the replys. I've been out and just read them. Seems that the PO of the donor truck had a similiar idea as my PO. The cables apparently came off a '70-72, which would explain the larger brakes, and the now obvious shorter cables. I used a parts catalog that lists cable lengths. I need a pair that are 70". So, JoW, or anyone else for that matter, if you have something like that stashed away, I'd be interested. I'll be tearing my rear brakes apart again in the meantime.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Jeff, The cable pair is different lengths for L & R sides. One of the later cables was too short to connect, and I didn't have the time to play with it.
I'll need an exact length and side, and still don't know if I will have what you want. The good thing is, you can use the truck without parking brakes.
John
I'll need an exact length and side, and still don't know if I will have what you want. The good thing is, you can use the truck without parking brakes.
John
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Spokane, WA
According to the parts catalog, I need 70" cables on both sides, which seems to be right in there. I'd like have them, 'cause I don't like uncompleted things. "Good enough" I guess is only that. But you're right, they don't need to be there to run, and granny gear does make a pretty good brake. Found that out when I went to tow it home. Oh yeah, by the way, will the automatic adjusters work on the older brakes? I didn't install them for some reason, forgot why. Seems like everything was fitting ok though. Thanks again!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Jeff, Why don't you measure the set that you got and see if they are the same length. I done led you to the water but I can't make you drink, and I don't want to hold yo head down. 
Yes you can hook self adjusters up. There just were none in 66 on trucks.
John
Yes you can hook self adjusters up. There just were none in 66 on trucks.
John
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Raleigh, NC
Daddywags,
Do you mean that you didn't install the automatic adjuster cable or did you really mean the auto adjuster is not installed? You would need to have something to keep the bottom of the shoes at the correct spacing as the shoes wear.
If the auto adjuster cable wasn't installed it would work but it would lose pedal height when the shoe wears and the wear was not compensated with auto adjustment.
My auto adjuster cable was rusted in two and although I had brakes, the other side quickly began pulling more than it's share of the load because it stayed in adjustment and the side with the broken cable did not.
Do you mean that you didn't install the automatic adjuster cable or did you really mean the auto adjuster is not installed? You would need to have something to keep the bottom of the shoes at the correct spacing as the shoes wear.
If the auto adjuster cable wasn't installed it would work but it would lose pedal height when the shoe wears and the wear was not compensated with auto adjustment.
My auto adjuster cable was rusted in two and although I had brakes, the other side quickly began pulling more than it's share of the load because it stayed in adjustment and the side with the broken cable did not.
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Senior User
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From: Spokane, WA
Just finished tearing into the brakes; pulled off the brake cables, and measured them off the truck. One is 62", and the other is 54.5". I didn't install the auto adjusters, since I'm going to keep looking for the correct cables and do the whole thing then. My truck is kinda tore apart and not driving anyway.
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From: Spokane, WA
No, at least not yet. They tend to be somewhat pricey, although I don't get funny looks or off the cuff remarks from them either. And they have what I'm in there looking for. Actually, was just there today getting some body repair stuff, wasn't even thinking about brakes. A multi-tasker, I'm not. For the time being, I'll keep looking.