New Member (but around a while)

[Thoritsu]

Hello, I am a new member (I guess). Thought had joined a long time ago, but never posted, just read. Car dork. Mechanical engineer. Long time Ford guy. Have Focus RS, and Lotus 7 with supercharged Zetec, T9 trans and 2004 FX4, 4dr (second one), and love it.
I had a brake issue, replaced some lines, and other parts, but one of the parking brake struts (links) of the rear brakes is damaged. The part number is 3L5Z-2C077-DA, but it is discontinued, and I can't find it anywhere. I can perhaps salvage mine, by bending and weld repair, or make a new one, but that is a real pain.

Does anyone have an idea where to find this? It can't be that rare among late model Ranger people.

 

[franklin2]

Have you gone to the Ford dealer yet? They most likely won't have it, but maybe they can do a nationwide search and someone has one laying on the back shelf somewhere.

It's one of the many parts they have decided not to make anymore. I see Dorman has stepped up and make this link, but it is for a 2003 model and older. It doesn't have the offset in it like yours has. It's #21135

 

[Thoritsu]

Not yet. I have had poor luck in the past, even though I know the owner of the dealer pretty well. I’ll try it tomorrow. If I understood the geometry better, I’d just modify a Doorman one. That one is for 9” brakes. Mine are 10”

 

[franklin2]

Are the ends with the slots worn out? I guess you could cut the ends of the dorman and weld them onto your original if that was the problem. It is just for the parking brake, so there is some peace of mind anything you fabricate will not affect the regular brakes.

P.S. This is how empires are made. Get yourself a water jet cutter and start making and selling them. I remember someone a few months ago was looking for some too.

 

[Thoritsu]

Are the ends with the slots worn out? I guess you could cut the ends of the dorman and weld them onto your original if that was the problem. It is just for the parking brake, so there is some peace of mind anything you fabricate will not affect the regular brakes.

P.S. This is how empires are made. Get yourself a water jet cutter and start making and selling them. I remember someone a few months ago was looking for some too.

The ends are worn and bent. I was thinking of trying to bend them and weld repair/grind. Your Dorman idea is good! Thanks.
Could definitely cut these out easily with a waterjet. Bandsaw would be more of a pain, but would work too.

 

[superj]

man, those lotus 7 are cool cars. a few guys here have super 7s at the local autocross and they fly

 

[Thoritsu]

man, those lotus 7 are cool cars. a few guys here have super 7s at the local autocross and they fly

They are cool. I wanted a Shelby Cobra kit since a kid, but later convinced/decided 7's were more unique. Definitely corner better!

Love your tag line BTW!