'79 F-150 parking brake
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Senior User
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From: Warrenton, VA
'79 F-150 parking brake
I need to fix my parking brake on a '79 F-150. All of the cables have been replaced. The tension on all of the cables are tight, but when I push down on the pedal it doesn't lock the wheels. Does anybody else have a problem with their parking brake on any ford truck? Does anybody know how to fix this problem? I've done almost everything. It just seems like a design flaw. (the brake shoes have been replaced recently, and the self adjusters are good)
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
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'79 F-150 parking brake
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 13-Jan-02 AT 08:43 PM (EST)]Is the cable moving the sleeve when the brake is applied or does the cable slide WITHOUT moving the sleeve?
The outer sleeve is attached to the brackets near the rear axle housing right?
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
The outer sleeve is attached to the brackets near the rear axle housing right?
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
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Senior User
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From: Warrenton, VA
'79 F-150 parking brake
I'm not sure what sleeves you're talking about. I should add that everything works correctly, but the wheels just don't lock.
WrenchHead
1979 F-150 Custom. 302 V-8 4-spd 2WD. 121,000 Miles
WrenchHead
1979 F-150 Custom. 302 V-8 4-spd 2WD. 121,000 Miles
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'79 F-150 parking brake
The cable is INSIDE the rubber Sleeve. The cable is supposed to move WITHOUT the Sleeve moving thus allowing the Cable to PULL the
Lever inside the brake drum.
The Sleeve or OUTSIDE part of the cable is supposed to be attached to the brackets to stop it from moving back and forth.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
Lever inside the brake drum.
The Sleeve or OUTSIDE part of the cable is supposed to be attached to the brackets to stop it from moving back and forth.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
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'79 F-150 parking brake
You might have to pull a drum and have a look while someone
actuates the P/B then.
That would be the only real way unless the 2 cables where they join the Main cable needs adjusting.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
actuates the P/B then.
That would be the only real way unless the 2 cables where they join the Main cable needs adjusting.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
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Senior User
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From: Warrenton, VA
'79 F-150 parking brake
I have had someone put the P/B on while I've had the drum pulled. It all works correctly. I've tighten the equalizer where the 2 cables join the main cable. It just doesn't seem to hold when it's engaged.
WrenchHead
1979 F-150 Custom. 302 V-8 4-spd 2WD. 121,000 Miles
WrenchHead
1979 F-150 Custom. 302 V-8 4-spd 2WD. 121,000 Miles
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'79 F-150 parking brake
Is the EB foot pedal ratcheting properly and the Release
arm working?
Maybe the cable is TOO Long ?
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Warrenton, VA
'79 F-150 parking brake
The P/B seems to be ratcheting fine. It did pop up one time when it was way too tight. I was also suspecting that the main cable was too long. I'll be ordering a new one eventually since the other one snapped on me. Does anyone have other suggestions besides to long of a cable?
1979 F-150 Custom. 302 V-8 4-spd 2WD. 121,000 Miles
1979 F-150 Custom. 302 V-8 4-spd 2WD. 121,000 Miles
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'79 F-150 parking brake
Have you adjusted the rear brakes? With a wheel up run them down tight and then loosen up enough that you can turn the wheel with a little drag from the brakes. The self adjusters work when you apply the brakes backing up. I perodically manualy adjust mine anyway.
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Senior User
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From: Warrenton, VA
'79 F-150 parking brake
martinb, yes the adjusters are set tight enough for a little drag. I do periodically tighten them. The adjusters don't seem to be the problem with the P/B not holding properly. Does anyone else have suggestions?
WrenchHead
1979 F-150 Custom. 302 V-8 4-spd 2WD. 121,000 Miles
WrenchHead
1979 F-150 Custom. 302 V-8 4-spd 2WD. 121,000 Miles
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'79 F-150 parking brake
FORD's Trouble shooting guide says:
Problem;
Parking brake will Not hold
Possible cause :
1)Parking brake cable out of adjustment
2)Rear brakes out of adjustment
3)Parking Brake linkage,release levr,clevis & Ratchet binding,worn or Damaged
4)Manual release brake control components binding or damaged.
This was straight from the Horse's mouth. 79 FORD Manual
I will hold on typing the solutions until you need them.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
Problem;
Parking brake will Not hold
Possible cause :
1)Parking brake cable out of adjustment
2)Rear brakes out of adjustment
3)Parking Brake linkage,release levr,clevis & Ratchet binding,worn or Damaged
4)Manual release brake control components binding or damaged.
This was straight from the Horse's mouth. 79 FORD Manual
I will hold on typing the solutions until you need them.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Warrenton, VA
'79 F-150 parking brake
Mil1ion, I know the rear brakes aren't out of adjustment. I don't think the cable is really out of adjustment. The ratchet on the P/B pedal might be worn down, it has popped out on me once or twice. I'm pretty sure the release functions properly. Although, I did just buy a P/B pedal off of ebay that's in better shape than mine. I'll see how that holds.
WrenchHead
1979 F-150 Custom. 302 V-8 4-spd 2WD. 121,000 Miles
WrenchHead
1979 F-150 Custom. 302 V-8 4-spd 2WD. 121,000 Miles
New User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24
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From: Rapid City United States
'79 F-150 parking brake
parking brakes on these trucks are an ongoing problem. my family has half a dozen, all 78s and none of the brakes works right. i've heard it from many other people too. cut it off so it doesn't lock when you don't want it to, or don't use it. just shove it in first and it won't move. if anyone has one that REALLY works right let me know! i want to know what you did.
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'79 F-150 parking brake
Mine have worked marvelously all their life.
275,000 Miles and still work.
What have I done ?
Well,I used them all the time.
It's the Lack of use that makes them STOP working once
you need them and put them on.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=144&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=143&.jpg
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
275,000 Miles and still work.
What have I done ?
Well,I used them all the time.
It's the Lack of use that makes them STOP working once
you need them and put them on.
Dennis
Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=144&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=143&.jpg
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles