Adjusting Emergency Brake

[fordhombre]

Hi,

I need some help trying to tighten up this emergency brake cable underneath my '69 f-100.

I got this cable from a '67 in a salvage yard, and installed it on mine. Problem is, it's about 2 or 3 inches too long...

So I looked at the adjustment bolt underneath, where the cable ends and meets the lever for the two rear cable extensions...

Looks like the adjustment nut is tightened up about 3/4 of the way. So I could loosen it up to pull the lever out further, but then my two rear cables are too loose...

I'm trying to get this thing to pass inspection by Thursday or I lose the money I've already paid for the inspection with.

Also, this cable is supposed to hold my pickup (in drive!) in place for 30 seconds with the emergency brake on. Now even BEFORE I took this assembly off the first time it didn't do that. Crap, my 2004 Matrix doesn't do that. Anybody else ever heard of this, or is this a weird Houston, Tx thing?

[fordman]

you may be able to cheat the adjustment. remove the nut fromt he adjuster. put more larger nuts or washer on the cable end so that when you put the adjust back on you will pull more cable that you did before. thats all i can think of doing.

[basketcase0302]

So I looked at the adjustment bolt underneath, where the cable ends and meets the lever for the two rear cable extensions...Looks like the adjustment nut is tightened up about 3/4 of the way. So I could loosen it up to pull the lever out further, but then my two rear cables are too loose...

Like Fordman said above.
You wouldn't be loosening the nut. You should have to tighten it to take up the slack in the cable.
Only other way I would know to correct this would not be feasible, and a lot of work!
You would be better in the long run, to get the proper cable.
Don't NPD or DC have these?

[BobbyFord]

And, make sure the rear drums are adjusted. It won't take up two inches of slack but it will help.

[fordhombre]

What I'mm thinking about doing for this thing to pass inspection, is to loop that cable around the pull lever and clamp it down to itself with a series of clamps. Either that, or set some of these clamps in-line on the cable between the ball at the end of the cable and the lever. It should maybe take 3 or 4 clamps, but it would tighten it up.

I would like to do it right afterwards though. I'mm not sure what NPD or DC is. I've checked local auto parts stores, and LMC Truck, neither of which have replacement cables.

However, if there is a way to re-attach those balls on either end of the cable, I have plenty of aircraft cable I could make a replacement with....

[cep62]

However, if there is a way to re-attach those balls on either end of the cable, I have plenty of aircraft cable I could make a replacement with....

Most good hardware stores have ferrules made for crimping on cable ends, they're not ball shaped but they should work.

[flyboy71]

You need to get a set of balls http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/a ... 20664c.php

and a tool to squeeze them http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/t ... ngtool.php