Parking brake cable slack

[vaderj]

I have had this problem since I bought my pickup a couple months ago; the p-brake cable hangs down about 6 inches from the frame right behind the drivers side door! I was thinking about bending it back on itself and putting a couple cable clamps in it, but then I read about some sort of tensioner in the actuator assembly (the pedal).
I have figured that I have to remove this and fiddle with it, but there is one single Jesus bolt up at the top that I can not figure out how to get out; from what I can tell there are only three bolts holding the assembly to the inner fender.
Anyone take this thing off or have this problem before?

thnx!

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Wow, with that much slack I'd say that either one of the rear cables is seized, or the cables are just streatched beyond adjustment.

 

[zeroburn]

Yea the ebrake cables should be replaced as they are sezing. What you can do to try to get to remove the slack is to make sure the pedal for the ebrake is fully up, then go to the rear wheels and where the ebrake cable goes in just wiggle the crap out it and do the same for the other side. This should free it up if it dosent then get new cables. Oh and if it works still consider to get new cables as this is just a band-aid

 

[vaderj]

Ha well this figures. I am actually in the middle of changing out EVERYTHING related to the rear brakes including cables. I got new cables from napa, they are the same length as the old cable (just driver side Ive worked on so far) but there is still a TON of slack, like in the range of 4-6". with a brand new rear driver side parking brake cable.
There are two different sizes, one of them for the 9" (drum size im guessing) which is like 51" and 54" for the 10" drums - they are actally differentiated in NAPA's system as "heavy duty suspension" and like regular duty or some other crap.
took a couple pictures. the tape measure is in the same position in both pictures
http://fmappliedcomputers.com/2011-11-30%2018.45.10.jpg
http://fmappliedcomputers.com/2011-11-30%2018.45.25.jpg

ideas/suggestions?

 

[bilzy7]

"Jesus Bolt"

YES!!! Awesome lol.

 

[bilzy7]

Holy lick my ass and cover me in peanut butter batman! Now that's some slack!!!

 

[kevinsranger]

I'm betting something is jammed inside the rear drums themselves, maybe the lever in the drums for the ebrake is stuck? or that little adjuster cable is broken or off the track?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

It looks to me that you don't have the cable installed correctly. Beside the spring eye is a bracket with what looks like a cut brake cable mounted in the bracket. I'm not familiar with '99 rangers e-brakes, but a closer look might be in order. Also buying a chilton's or haynes would be a really good idea if you do a fair amount of work on your vehicle. I was finally able to figure out the adjustment on my '85 b-II when I looked at a manual. The one I looked at had good pics and fair instructions.
Good luck,

Richard