Parking brake return spring
 

1969 GMC 1/2 ton, longbox, drum brakes


When I release the park brake hand the park brake pedal does not pop back to the up position. If I hold the handle out for the return I can push the park brake pedal in and out and the cable seems to be moving freely.

Is there a parking brake return spring? IF so where?

Re: Parking brake return spring
 

i think there is, let me go out and look and ill try to snap a decent pic of it for you

Re: Parking brake return spring
 

i didnt see a spring on the pedal but theres a return spring for the handle and i didnt see any springs on the cables under the truck either

Re: Parking brake return spring
 

HUMMMMM, same here.......

Re: Parking brake return spring
 

The springs on the cables that goes into the drums, are weak, I just replaced both of mine to fix that same problem.. After replacement works fine, break comes all the way back to top.

May want to try that, they are cheap to replace..

Re: Parking brake return spring
 

So to change these springs you can unhook the brake cables from the shoes and feed it back out through the backing plate?

Also it appears that my left side is not attached or mounted to the backing plate at all. Should there be a clip to attach it to the backing plate?

Re: Parking brake return spring
 

What did you change? Just the springs or did you purchase rear brake cables?

Re: Parking brake return spring
 

The parking brake rear cable is made as a unit with the spring captured in the end. The crimped end of the cable is connected to the arm that is hooked behind the brake shoe, so you will need to disassemble the rear brakes. The cable assembly is connected to the backing plate with either a bolted flange or a self setting spring clip. The other end is connected to the trailing arm with a seperate spring clip. If your cable is floating and not connected to the backing plate, That cable or plate needs to be replaced because it pulled through the opening. If there is tension on the cable it will cause your brakes to drag on that side wearing out your shoes. I just replaced all the cables on my '70 C20 and '85 C10. I think that I paid around $25-$30 ea. for the cables and Advance had them in stock for the '85. The ones for the '70 were higher, I think $35 ea. They were bought at a different store and they were Raybestos cables. Hope this helps, Lane

Re: Parking brake return spring
 

Thanks, I will try and order rear cables.

Re: Parking brake return spring
 

I just cleaned my handbrake cable today and the return spring is at the end of the cable just before it splits up to the back wheels.
I don´t know how much different the foot brake is to the handbrake.

Re: Parking brake return spring
 

I just put a parking brake on my 70 C-10 & love it. When on the boat ramp, I can shift out of Park w/o that big, awful Clunk!

Re: Parking brake return spring
 

I was able to order the rear cables.

They should be in Monday or Tuesday.

How much of the rear brakes do I have to disassemble to change the cables? Do both shoes have to come off?

Re: Parking brake return spring
 

It would probably be easier to take them both off.