I went down to the used car lot and looked under some other ford trucks. The cable guide end or "nipple" that the cable exits from underneath has to go through a hole in a frame bracket right under the or beside the cab mount it looks like. That's why I had so much slack before. I didn't have the cable guide mounted to the frame which took out all the slack and then some.

You have to pull off the little white plastic clip ring off the nipple and then thread the cable through the first hole and through the second smaller diameter hole. The metal nipple on the cable guide protrudes through the first hole and then you have to try and square it so the white plastic retainer split ring will snap back on in the groove and prevent it from backing out. It's about this easy to do (@#$%^&*) then you pull on the swedged end of the cable and try to connect it to the coupler.

So now I've figured out where the end of the cable guide mounts to the truck.....but.........I can't get the cable guide quite square enough for the white plastic retainer ring to snap on correctly. And.....I've got approx an inch 1/4 or little more before I can pull the two cables close enough to connect them!

The only diagrams I can find stop at 1999 and there not the same. The ones in the auto zone link say 1999-2000 but there not the same as the 2000. If I enter info for the 2000 all I get is that there somehow locked up by Ford.

So......now I have to figure out how to stretch out the cables so I can connect them. And I also need to square the nipple in the mount enough to get the retaining ring seated properly in the groove at the end of the cable guide.
Right now it's seated somewhat Katty-whumpus.

I believe I do have the correct part. Thank the Lord for small favors. Does anyone know how to get the needed slack or how to stretch the needed slack to connect the coupler with the swedged end of the ER cable? I can find no adjustment what so ever?

Time to strap on all our collective thinking caps.

Just so everyone knows I already have the brake foot lever in the all the way up position which gives me as much slack as I can possibly have. Cuz when you step on the pedel it shortens the cable.

King: The recall is for 1999 my 2000 doesn't qualify. Whaaaawa!

 

I just got off the phone and made an appointment for Monday morning at a local shop. Not the dealership. I have a friend that works down there and I talked to him and explained I've taken two days to try and install a simple part. I happened to mention that I couldn't find any adjustment to get slack in the cable and Dave said it's in the rear drums. You have to take them apart to get the needed slack I guess.

When this is all said and done I'll wrap it up... so someone down the line might benefit. Post some more pic and explain stuff or what I've found out.

 

Make sure the brake pedal is fully released and then pull on the end going under the truck.......I used the pliers for that. It requires some force but I was able to pull them enough to get the cable into the coupler.

 

In the drums is for adjusting the shoes but thats the only adjusment there is. You may be able to get the needed slack from there. There are some rubber plugs that you pop out to adjust them and its just like adjusting drum brakes on a older vehicle.

 

If it's not raining and muddy tomorrow I will probably give this a try. I tried today using leather gloves but couldn't get more than 1/2 inch or so. I was afraid of crimping the cable using pliers or vise grips.....but I'm reconsidering.

Laying under the truck with one end in one hand and the other end in the other and trying to pull them together....well it made me feel like a wuss. Now if I was only younger I'd show all you young "whippersnappers" a thing or two.

You don't realize how hard it is to crawl under the truck while crawling over and through your walker!

I've got it all temporarily taped up to the frame with electrical tape. Now if I could just remember not to set the brake every time I park!

King thanks for the info. Short of trying once more with the pliers/vice-grips I'm ready to give it to the pros.

 

If you unhook the coupler at the junction where it splits to go the wheel you will have all the slack you need. Then it is easy rehook the coupler. I pulled til I was blue in the face and then tried what I just said and it went together in a matter of minutes.

 

Eric...are you talking about where the one cable splits into two just in front of the driver side dually near the frame?

heh, heh, I too was blue in the face. Had to check and see if my oxygen tubes had fell outta of my nose! Or that I might have crimped my oxygen tube under the leg of my walker!

 

Yes I think that is the one. Mine's not a dually but I think they should be the same. It's tough getting old , I know when I was 18 I would have probably pulled the cables in two. then I really would have been blue. So I guess older and weaker isn't always a bad thing.

 

Your giving me some knew hope...I hadn't tried disconnecting that end and then retrying from that direction. I'll give it a shot. And oh yeah.....I am 18. Plus another 44.

I shouldn't joke around bout the walker and oxygen tubes. Just sometimes you can't take life too serious. know what I mean? Sorta lightens things up when you can laugh about things.

Oh Boy...just noticed your sig and your showing a 1999. Their different. The place where your splits is different than the 2000. But I'll still see if I can disconnect and hookup and then reconnect there anyhow. Yours actually has an adjustment bolt there for tightening. At least in the diagram.

 

There is no adjustment on mine except in the brake drum. I just unhooked one side of the two cables and got everything else hooked up and then it is surprisingly easy to reconnect. You will have some leverage because you are only going to be pulling one side. I wish I had my camera to snap a picture, it would be easier for me to explain. Let us know how it goes.

 

ERIC......Your "The Man" That was the secrete. I slid under my truck a few minutes ago thinking ..yeah right; I couldn't be so lucky!

It was the easiest connection you could ever make. It went together as easy as laying one piece of bread atop another in a peanut-butter sandwich.

I came into the kitchen hollering and whooping! Wife said I ought to give you a hug. Hope if it's just the same to you I'll pass and make us both happy!

However I'd like to thank everybody who took the time to come here and post suggestions and did all they could to offer help.

I know all you experienced wrench turners are probably shaking your head...but this is a really big deal to me. Plus I get to cancel my shop appointment for Monday morning. kinda makes you wonder if they would have snapped it in in less than a half minute and then charged me approx $ 89.00 to $ 100.00 for an hour of shop time!

It's just a suggestion....I already did so the rep cops have got me. But if any brothers would care to give Eric a slap on the back by dropping a "rep" his way for me ...I'd really appreciated it.

As for this thread When things are slow I'll go back and piece something together that makes more sense and might help another Emergency Brake cable breaker have a somewhat easier time than me. Then post a cleaned up broken cable replacement thread.

Cheers to all and thanks to all the FORD brothers!!

 

Hey hey- Glad you got her bro - I drive mine up on 2"x10" blocks that I cut a 45 degree angle on. That extra 2" helps alot. Mines a 2 wheel drive so it dont sit up as high.

 

Were you excited that you were healed and didn't need the walker anymore... or that you fixed the cable? Any way glad you got it fixed. Ain't FTE a great place-good company and a money saver.