Parking Brake cable???

[70Custom10Nut]

Where do I find replacement Parking Brake Cables? I need the rear pieces that go into the drum housing. Do Auto parts stores still carry them? I found them in one of my catalogs, but would like to get this project done before Christmas. Cnut

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by 70Custom10Nut

Where do I find replacement Parking Brake Cables? I need the rear pieces that go into the drum housing. Do Auto parts stores still carry them? I found them in one of my catalogs, but would like to get this project done before Christmas. Cnut

Yes stores still sell them.
AC Delco and Wagner still offer them.

They may not have them in all store chains or locations.

40.1/2in rear AC Delco part number 18P2299

[LockDoc]

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I got mine at my local NAPA store. $16 each if I remember right.

LockDoc

[cdowns]

what's wrong with the cable that it needs replacing?

[nickp51chevy]

Mine didn't have them when I got it, this was a question I was going to ask. Thanks.

[oldiron]

But leaf spring cables are differant than coil spring cables.

[Stocker]

A local hardware store used to be able to make them, but it changed ownership, some guys moved on, and they no longer have the equipment or know-how. Too bad, as it was cheap and worked great. Try a NAPA or similar store.

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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I got mine at my local NAPA store. $16 each if I remember right.

LockDoc

Sounds right. Our cost is like $11.00 or something

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by oldiron

But leaf spring cables are differant than coil spring cables.

correct. part for Delco BC76584
but you can double the cost.

since most trucks were coil I assumed he asked for them

[John Fabris]

another option is inline tube (www.inlinetube.com).
I have used them for my cables on my 67 4x4 suburban, and when they sent me the wrong part, I called and they had me measure old one and send me a new one no charge. I was happy with the new cable and their service. They have oem style steel or stainless as well.

[70Custom10Nut]

Thanks to all. I did get them at Advanced. $25.00 each. To answer the question, they were both rusted/frozen at the point where the cable came out of the metal flex tube. The cables were rusted to the point that the were fraying. Now I'll have the peace of mind of having a park brake that I've never had. Thanks again, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all! Cnut

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by 70Custom10Nut

Thanks to all. I did get them at Advanced. $25.00 each. To answer the question, they were both rusted/frozen at the point where the cable came out of the metal flex tube. The cables were rusted to the point that the were fraying. Now I'll have the peace of mind of having a park brake that I've never had. Thanks again, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all! Cnut

I was going to say to all the repliers that wondered what is wrong with the old one obviously don't live in the rust belt.

Very few emergency brake cables on vehicles that are driven in the winter up here last more than 10 years. I bought a straight stick Escort new in 1994 and used the emergency brake all the time. On my first brake job I was lucky enough to be able to use a hoist at a garage I used to work at. The guys there were amazed that my emergency brake still worked! The vehicle was only 5 years old!

When I got my 4x4 (1971 chassis), the emergency brake cables and all the hardware were long gone. This was before this board was available so I wasn't lucky enough to have suppliers at my finger tips with GM part numbers or I would have gone that way. What I did is order all the cables and hardware available at LMC and fabbed the rest.

Oh and if you use the e-brake regularly, it will last one heck of a lot longer.

[msgross]

I had a car that had the parking brake cables freeze while engaged, that sucked... and it was only 10 years old.

Good preventive maintenance is for us northerners to replace them. Newer trucks have them sealed up a little better than the older one's did...

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by msgross

I had a car that had the parking brake cables freeze while engaged, that sucked... and it was only 10 years old.

Good preventive maintenance is for us northerners to replace them. Newer trucks have them sealed up a little better than the older one's did...

That is how they break. Engaged.
Think about it. You have a big lever - either a hand brake or a foot pedal - which gives you all that leverage on a rusted cable. You engage it with the lever, pulling it through all that rusted cable. Then when you try to release it all that is there is a little spring between the shoes to try to pull all that cable back through. It ain't going to happen.

If a new cable isn't in your future, AND you don't need/use it, just remove the Parking Brake Link and spring from between the two shoes on each side. Realize that you won't have an e-brake any more but you also won't have a situation where it is frozen ON which causes other issues like how are you going to get the drum off to service the issue?

Been there, done that many times (not on my rides but on customer cars).