Hello and help with emergency brake cables
 

Hi to everyone. First time poster. Thank you to everyone for all your efforts to keep this site up and running. Thanks for being civil and kind to those of us with problems. I have always loved this era of trucks and have several projects waiting. Hopefully life will give me the time and energy to enjoy them. I am located in Southern Alberta and am presently working on a dusty 1968 C10 shortbox. I have it down to the frame and am presently reassembling it. I have installed a front cross member and a differential from a 1972 C10. I am at my wits end trying to get the emergency brake cable hooked up as it is too short by about 3 inches if I route the cable like a longbox. The cables are all new (Dorman) and seem to be the correct ones. They are however not exact replacements for the ones that came with the truck, except the intermediate cable which is the exact same length. My questions are (1) Does the cable run through the cross member in the holes as in Pic#1 or do they go in the holes closest to the main frame as in a long box? With the cable in the inner holes I am able to hook the cable up as shown (Pic#2) but without the guide hooks as they are now too short . (2) Are the guide hooks used (Pic#3) on a short box or are the only used on long box trucks? (3) Could I have messed up the installation inside the actual brake drum to be causing this problem? I have had the brakes apart several times, and all seems in order.
I have searched in the manuals that I have, but cannot find an answer. Hopefully someone will be able to help me. Thank-you very much. Tony

Re: Hello and help with emergency brake cables
 

I Don't know what the correct length cables were, I assume you have new rear cables also? Are they they close to what you had? ...Bruce's Build "Just a Pick up"...better than a shop manual. He comes up with a clever way to fix rear cables. Might work for you...Post 349...... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...318544&page=14

Re: Hello and help with emergency brake cables
 

Yes, all cables are brand new. The two rear and the front cable are slightly shorter than the originals. I have tried two different sets of rear cables Dorman C92416 and Dorman C92505 - no luck. The front cable is Dorman C92449. The intermediate cable is an exact match Dorman C92443. Thanks

Re: Hello and help with emergency brake cables
 

Subscribed. I’d appreciate some clarity on the routing as well.

Re: Hello and help with emergency brake cables
 

The cables on my Burban are routed through the holes nearer the frame rail. But I find it hard to believe that make as much difference as you are seeing (wouldn't be the first or last I'm wrong) I believe there 3 kinds of rear cables, Coil spring, 2wd leaf, and 4wd leaf. You may have the wrong rear set. Or they were mispackaged. I can measure my rear set length tomorrow if that would help.

Re: Hello and help with emergency brake cables
 

Thank-you for responding. I am pretty sure I have the right rear cables as they are almost, but not quite the same as the originals. In many of the parts books I have, there is only one choice for the rear cables for 2wd trucks. I have already tried two different part numbers from Dorman. I could be wrong though. On the long bed trucks I own, the cables are all routed like your Suburban. I was just wondering if the routing is different on a short bed truck. Thank you again. Tony

Re: Hello and help with emergency brake cables
 

I went through 5 rear brake drums (same part number) to get 2 the same as my original ones

Re: Hello and help with emergency brake cables
 

i know you'll get some replies from some way more qualified guys than me....
i took some pictures of mine when i read your post.....
i actually adjusted mine this evening....
not sure if its "correct" or not but it works and holds like's it is supped to..
i moved the "eye-let" to a different hole to shorten the cable....



i hope this helps

Re: Hello and help with emergency brake cables
 

sorry.....just saw you had a long box....
i'm a "short" box

sorry

Re: Hello and help with emergency brake cables
 

another shot....

Re: Hello and help with emergency brake cables
 

No, it is a short box Steven. Is the cable routed through the inner or the outer hole in the x-member? See Pic#1. Thanks.

Re: Hello and help with emergency brake cables
 

....errrrr sorry...forgot the pic..

Re: Hello and help with emergency brake cables
 

Thanks Steven. My worst fears have been confirmed. Now I have to figure out what the problem is. Tony

Re: Hello and help with emergency brake cables
 

...standdby...



i am a total rookie...
there will be some very smart guys that chime in. i am learning as i go...