My Parking Brake Broke

['68OrangeSunshine]

I was setting the Parking Brake yeaterday -- the kind with a foot pedal -- and it popped and went limp. No brakes set.
1971 GMC K/1500 Jimmy. 350/SM465/NP205.
It had been slipping down. After pulling the brake release toggle, the pedal was not jumping back up much. and would flop down to almost engaged. I got in the habit of pulling it up with my left boot, but the pedal wouldn't always stay up.
Now the problem is No Parking Brake.

[EDIT] I looked under the dash just now. My Brake Cable parted.

[Warrens69GMC]

Parking brake cables I like to replace every 50 years, whether it needs it or not

[1970cstblazer]

I just replaced a majority of the parking brake cables and cable connectors on my 1970 Blazer. They were sourced from Inline Tube. They fit and looked just like the rusted OEM cables did. Make sure the spring from the floor brace to the adjuster is present.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

Parking brake cables I like to replace every 50 years, whether it needs it or not

Sounds like good advice

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by 1970cstblazer

I just replaced a majority of the parking brake cables and cable connectors on my 1970 Blazer. They were sourced from Inline Tube. They fit and looked just like the rusted OEM cables did. Make sure the spring from the floor brace to the adjuster is present.

Funny thing -- I checked that spring the nite before it parted. It had good tension, but the In-Cab Foot Pedal wouldn't snap back. Old symptom. Finally blew.
Looks like a $25 head end cable section from LMC might do the trick w/o too much mission creep. P/N:34-3827.
Too dicey to try P/N: 34-3063 Parking Brake Cable Repair Kit.... for $12.95.

Got a link tom Inline Tube?

[1970cstblazer]

You will need to measure your front cable. They sell different lengths,,


https://www.ebay.com/itm/204409815717

https://www.ebay.com/itm/195916920134

https://www.ebay.com/itm/19596078275...YAAOSwxvRk8TTY

[Getter-Done]

Is this the spring?

https://www.classicheartbeat.com/pro...on-spring-4x4/

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

Is this the spring?

https://www.classicheartbeat.com/pro...on-spring-4x4/

Yeah. My OEM Spring is OK. [Arizona].
Main cable needs inspecting.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Here's the broken cable end inside my Jimmy's cab.

The cable end inside has this clamped-on mounting bracket. It's really clamped on. They must have had a hydraulic crimper press this on the cable's end. Do I have to cut it off to pull the cable out of the cab -- or does the other end come out of the firewall after disconnecting under the frame?
Also LMC sent me a repop cable that's 83 inches long. Does that seem too long for a very short chassis like a K/5?

[1970cstblazer]

I removed that clamp last night using two medium sized flat blade screwdrivers. It is robust, so take your time.

I want to say the K/5 cable is like 73 1/8" inches long.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/36442115065...Bk9SR-ybzuLgYg

[Classic Heartbeat]

Your front cable needs adjusting and or your rear brakes need adjusting. If those aren't your problem then start looking at your cables. If the cable's are all functioning as they should then it's the tension spring. You have 2. One in the foot pedal assembly and the other under your truck on the end of your front cable. This is given that your cables are routed correctly. The cables will not stretch. WES

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Classic Heartbeat

Your front cable needs adjusting and or your rear brakes need adjusting. If those aren't your problem then start looking at your cables. If the cable's are all functioning as they should then it's the tension spring. You have 2. One in the foot pedal assembly and the other under your truck on the end of your front cable. This is given that your cables are routed correctly. The cables will not stretch. WES

Well the 52 year old Front Brake Cable parted. Not a question of adjustment at this point. Question is: Does the underside end come out thru the firewall, or does the clevis end from the Parking Brake Pedal Assembly go thru the firewall from the cab?

Once I get the old cable out, I can measure it with the one LMC sent me, P/N:34-3827. LMC's cable is ~83''. Seems too long.
Yes, the 3'' spring that was on the foot pedal ratchet feels too weak. I will try Ace hardware. The OEM tension spring appears OK, but until it's loose, I can't really tell. That has to come off and get cleaned up too.

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

LMC sent me a repop cable that's 83 inches long. Does that seem too long for a very short chassis like a K/5

Are you able to measure the approximate length of the fwd parking brake cable being replaced? That 83" length sounds about right for a 69-72 K/4wd model, I just measured an OE used 72 K/5 blazer fwd parking brake cable setup that we have on hand at 84" long from clevis/ball end to the tip of threaded end. The K/4wd cable is about a foot longer than a C/2wd cable due the upper frame rail cable mounting location being farther back under the cab/floor pan on the K/4wd's, the C/2wd fwd park brake cable comes thru the firewall around the inner fender and clips into the LH frame rail forward of the cab/floor area. Hope this info helps you or others reading in the future. Mel

Originally Posted by 1970cstblazer

I want to say the K/5 cable is like 73 1/8" inches long.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/36442115065...Bk9SR-ybzuLgYg

^ ^ ^ 1970CST, that 73" length will be to short and your above ebay linked fwd parking brake cable is for C/2wd models and is not the correct part for K/4wd's, the C/2wd style cables are to short to clip into the LH/drivers side upper frame rail mounted bracket found on the K/4wd models (see 3rd/4th pics of K only frame bracket still clipped on the below K/4wd park brake cable setup). '68OrangeSunshine listed his vehicle application as " 1971 GMC K/1500 Jimmy. 350/SM465/NP205" in the top post of thread, just wanted to offer the info/help before he clicks the buy it now on that ebay listing. Mel
.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Thanks for the info, Mel. I wasn't gonna bite on that EBay brake cable anyway. A Buck Twenty for an obviously used part, he didn't even bother to clean up. No thanks.
I bet he got the NOS cable, and put it on a truck years ago, and put the old cable in the cardboard box with the GM numbers. I've done that too, for my shelf, but I'd never try to sell it as NOS. Maybe the original mechanic is deceased and some executor is trying to spin 67-72 Junk into gold.

I took the Springs to Ace and Home Depot, but did not find any matches.
Do you also sell the 3'' T-Handle retract spring?
After I soak the caked on grease/dirt off the old Brake Cable tension spring, I'll know what shape it's in.
Still unsure if the Cable is pulled up and into the Cab, or down and out the hole in the firewall.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Well I got it removed and replaced.
All back together.
Pedal is kinda high now. Hope the brakes don't drag.
I'll test drive it in the daylight.

[EDIT] Checked it out with a run into town, tonight. Doesn't seem to be dragging. Pedal is still way high. I will have to get used to that.
Now I need a new pedal pad and Custom metal trim, and a fresh firewall grommet. But those are cosmetic items.