More parking brake cable problems

[kcfirstbuild]

I bought a Parking brake cable from Lmc truck for my 1968 c-1o. I went to install it today and it seems like the prongs that snap into the back of the drum shield are to short and there is play on the outside of the shield. you can pull and pull and it wont come out, but its just slopy loose at that point.

Any one else have this problem before? There was a small washer on the out side of the hole with the original one was there, but i would need at least 8 to 10 of those to fill in the gap on the new cable.

Can you tell yet that I hate Brakes!

[Sammy]

Might try getting a assy manual may have the pics you need. Sounds to me like wrong cables. ?? If so why not try inline tube They seem to have there stuff together when it comes to that sorta stuff. Plus someone to talk to that understands rebuilding truck too. Good luck.

[vectorit]

If I read your description of your problem correctly, I would make sure you have all of the connections that provide tension on the cable.
If you are missing just one, it will make the whole assembly sloppy.

[vectorit]

Also, after thinking about this..
If you are getting slop on the E brake cable that snaps into the backing plate, and then connects to the brake shoe to put tension on the drum while the cable is pulled.
Even if the intermediate cable is disconnected, there should be quite a bit of tension on that once it is connected to the actuating arm.
Few things could be wrong if there is:
1. The cable is incorrect, and is to long for inside the drum area.
2. The actuator arm may be incorrect, and is to long for your drum size.
3. Different backing plates to your year of truck.
4. The spring on the cable incorrect or missing?

Here is a picture of mine looking in the drum area.
Keep in mind, mine is not the snap in style. Rather it is the earlier bolt in design.
None the less, there is tension on there prior to even connecting everything up under the chassis.

[kcfirstbuild]

I think im going to try a different cable ? When it snaps in its loose there.


Thanks for all of your help. Pictures are a great thing.

[kcfirstbuild]

I just bought new Wagner parking brake cables and they fit perfect, but the springs is shorter then the original, way to short . " What your are pointing at in the picture above. " I'm thinking of taking off the original springs and winding it of the new parking brake cable. I'm have'n some bad luck with cables.
I'm on my third set so far, Lmc didn't snap in right, BrakeBest cables were to long , and now Wagner's are just right but the spring.

If im correct you need that long spring so the parking brake disengages.

[pritch]

I got some from Inline Tube and they are perfect. I'm a big fan of those guys. Now if someone would just re-pop the cable from the hand lever (67-68) I'd be set.

[vectorit]

I went through a few cables myself when I was redoing my brakes.
It was frustrating to say the least.

I ended up sending my originals to Inline Tube, and they replicated them perfectly. (68 K20 is different from all the usual ones out there from resto shops or places like Napa).

Just return what you purchased already, and get your money back then call Inline Tube. Tell them your frustrations with finding the proper cable, and ask to send yours to them so that they can replicate them. That's what I had to do, though my story leading up to that phone call is a lot longer. So I will spare you that, since you are already on that road.

You will spend more money going through Inline Tube, but you will know that when you get them back they will be right.

[kcfirstbuild]

Thanks if i cant unwind the springs off and on the cable i will try that.

My dad really wants me to get my parking brakes working, cause back in the day he had a 69 c-10 and parking brakes didn't work and it rolled off on him.

[vectorit]

Those cables aren't cheap, so if you mod two new ones and they don't work. Well, you just threw away your money...

I wouldn't be keen on doing what you are planning, but hey everyone has that special circumstance. So who am I to say; Good luck.

[epashhans]

Subscribed...my truck is missing the entire setup after the first cable from the hand lever. I need to get something put together and this is already helping!

[kcfirstbuild]

I ended up taking the original spring and twisting it on to the new cable once i got the new shorter spring off the Wagner brake cable. Its working great so far but im only pulling the cable with a pliers.