Parking/emrgency brake question/problem...

[DZL1]

I have a '72 C-10 shortbed fleetside, automatic, 2wd, v-8. From my understanding, the entire parking brake assembly consists of the front cable that goes connected to the actual brake lever. The center, long cable that connects to the front cable via the cable adjuster peice, and the 2 cables that go to each drum brake cable.

Now my question is the long,center cable is also attached to a bar that looks like its not adjustable. This bar is on the passengaer side with the front of the bar attached to the chassis and the rear attached to the cable. Is this bar adjustable?

Now my problem is that i dont have enough of the center/long cable to connect to each brake drum cable. I even removed the cable completly from the front cable and adjuster peice and still dont have enough. I'm about 8-10 inches short. I cant seem to remove it from the bar described above.

So now i'm stuck. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

DZL1.

[DZL1]

No replies....now I know I'm in trouble.

DZL1.

[CCCC]

I am having difficulty picturing what you mean about the bar that is attached to the chassis at its front and to the cable at its rear. I do not have C10 (other than Blazers, as such), and those emergency brake setups might be differently arranged than the pickup. It is cold out there tonight or I would go look for your sake.

However, my basic memory of these setups on most or all of the these trucks I have worked upon is that the front cable (from the pedal mechanism) has a threaded rod at its back end, and that this rod goes through a "V" shaped flange of some sort, backed up by an adjusting nut (for cable length/tension). In some manner, the cable arrangements to the rear brake units are attached to both tips of the 'V" piece, or maybe actually it is a one piece cable that rides in a groove in the "V" shaped flange and goes out to both brake units.

There may be a guide piece or some other attachment to that front cable - up toward the front of the cab - to keep the cable in place and direction - but am not certain of that.

If you do not get a useful answer here by tomorrow eveneing, I will have looked at one of the Blazers and at a C20 and should be able to tell you something definitive at that time.

Good luck.
CCCC

[68gmsee]

Use the catalog pic in LMC site to describe your problem. Sounds like you're saying cable #2 is not long enough? IIRC, the only part that is adjustable is cable #1. All the rest are stationary.



http://www.lmctruck.com/ICATALOG/CB/full.aspx?Page=154

[DZL1]

CCCC, Thanks for taking the time to reply. 68gmsee has sent a link to the exact part i'm refering to.

68gmsee, thanks for helping once again. The part that im refering to is #5, Park brake cable guide kit. And its not adjustable. Sooooo, now I'm really stumped as to why my cable wont reach!

[68gmsee]

Nope, that's not adjustable, but have you lengthened the end of cable #1. That's the only one that's adjustable.

Make sure that you clean and spray lube the cables where it has the wire loom around it. Also, remove the rear drums and check that the ends are installed correctly as per pic.

[Sammy]

Is it possible he has a shortbed cable installing it on a longbed truck? Hence the lack of cable length?

[DZL1]

68gmsee, remember I have cable 2, the long one, diconnected from cable 1, the one attached to the parking brake.

Sammy, I do have a shortbed truck.

Guys again thanks for your help. I'll just keeb racking my brain as to whats going on.

DZL1.

[Lugnut64052]

I think cable #2 is made in some different lengths depending on your chassis length/rear brake setup. The LMC catalog shows a bunch of different part numbers for that cable.

My guess is that you have the wrong cable #2 in there. It's possible you have the wrong #3 cables too. When I replaced my rear brake cables, there was a different part number for TH350 and TH400 trucks with the same rear end.

[DZL1]

Hey Lugnut, if I'm reading correctly, they only show 1, number 2 cable available for the short bed truck. Now as far as the rear cable goes, I have coil springs in the rear. And the book only shows 1 version for 2wd, 1/2 ton, swb, 67-72, with coil springs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I came up with.

This sucks.

DZL1.

[72blue]

you might have to get a custom one made. Around my parts, a clutch and brake parts place has the ability to make them up, not cheap, but they will make you one exactly like one you bring in(but longer), I bet there is a place that will do that in your area. If you have to get one made rather than some kind of simple fix or adjustment, that does suck.

[DZL1]

Thanks for the idea 72blue.

DZL1.

[Lugnut64052]

Originally Posted by DZL1

Hey Lugnut, if I'm reading correctly, they only show 1, number 2 cable available for the short bed truck. Now as far as the rear cable goes, I have coil springs in the rear. And the book only shows 1 version for 2wd, 1/2 ton, swb, 67-72, with coil springs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I came up with.

DZL1.

Hmyeah, you're right, now that I examine the listing closer.
I can't think of any other problem that would cause a whopping 8 to 10 inch length shortage.

Was it just hanging there un-hooked up?

Guess you might just have to get one made like 72blue suggests.

[68gmsee]

DZL1, maybe someone replaced, removed or shortened your cables in the past. If your setup looks like the pic and all of the connecting rods are connected properly, it should reach.

I'm going to out of town where my 69 shortbed is. I have the bed off of it and will take some cable measurements for comparison. This truck has the stock parking brake system and should be the same as yours.

I'll post the info tonight or tomorrow.

[DZL1]

Guys I think I found my problem! I've attached a photo of where the rear brake cables attach to the trailing arms. I edited the photo with two circles and a line connecting them. The left circle has the bracket that attaches the cable to the arm. the right circle is where MY truck has the attachment! Also notice the cable is straight, my cable loops up and then back down to the arm, in other words it has a lot of slack. Both sides are like that. Why, I have no clue. Now I will get back under the truck to see if for whatever reason this was moved rearward. I hope this solves my problem.

tim21391, I hope you dont get upset that I used a photo from your thread.

[DZL1]

Well I got under the truck and it sure looks like the brackets were moved rearward. Now I'll just have to put them in there original location. Its amazing some of the things that previous owners do to our trucks! Thanks to everybody that posted on this subject and helped me out.

DZL1.

[68gmsee]

Glad you found out what the problem was. Let me know if you need any info on where the bracket goes.

[DZL1]

Thank you 68gmsee.

DZL1.

[Lugnut64052]

Forgive me for a bit o' thread highjacking, but it kind of brings up an issue I have going right at the moment too--

Anyone know if the E-brake bracket on the trailing arm is in the same place on all trucks? Long beds, short beds, etc? I'd think it would be, but I recently changed rear ends on mine, and the old rear cables were a couple of inches shorter than the new ones.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by Lugnut64052

Forgive me for a bit o' thread highjacking, but it kind of brings up an issue I have going right at the moment too--

Anyone know if the E-brake bracket on the trailing arm is in the same place on all trucks? Long beds, short beds, etc? I'd think it would be, but I recently changed rear ends on mine, and the old rear cables were a couple of inches shorter than the new ones.

I don't think they are mounted in the same location. The 68 GMC with leaf springs I have has the bracket on the frame right in front of the rear tire.