Disconnecting the Parking Brake Cable

[Riveted1]

Ok so I'm trying to get my old trailing arm crossmember out. To do that, I need to get my parking (emergency) brake cables out of the way. How do you take them off? I've got one brake drum off and see where the parking brake cable goes, but I don't know what I have to do to get it off! Help!

[Longhorn Man]

Follow the cable north from the backing plate towards the front of the truck. You'll find a buckle of sorts about 3/4 the way to the front of the trailing arm. Once you find that, pull on the rear cable, and then push the head of the cable through the center of the hole that is in the middle of the slot.
It'll all be obviouse when you find it.

[Riveted1]

Sweet! I was hoping I didn't have to undo them inside the brake. Now I just hope it'll budge after 41 years.... Thx again LHM! You might have some chocolates comin to ya.... LOL J/K

[Longhorn Man]

oh boy.
LOL!

[Riveted1]

Haha Still makes me laugh...

Anyway, did all I needed to do and put my parking brake cables back together. Now the right side refuses to release without "help" from me (and it's not b/c it's too tight for the cable to release.) I bought some brake lube and proceeded to lube the areas that looked liked they moved w/the parking brake was applied. No luck, it still hangs. Any ideas?

[Longhorn Man]

probably needs new cable(s), they get rusty or get grit in them and stop moving

[Riveted1]

Spraying something like PB Blaster in there is a no-no, correct?

I'm just trying everything I can not to have to pull those drum brakes apart. Everything else in there looks ok. But if I have to pull em apart I might as well rebuild em.

[Longhorn Man]

sure, lube them up. Worst that can happen is nothing.

[Riveted1]

Well, the PB Blaster seems to have done the trick again!!