Parking Brake question

[owensdad]

Hello, all. I'm new to the forum, as I just picked up my first Ranger last weekend. It's a 2wd, reg. cab, 5 speed, 9" drums, 1999. The biggest issue (so far!) is that the parking brake cable that runs along the driver's side of the vehicle is slack and the parking brake does not engage. I've read every discussion string I could find on the forums about the myriad parking brake issues, but I was wondering if anyone could give me some direction about how to begin diagnosing the problem. I don't want to take apart the rear brakes OR the pedal assembly (which i understand is a royal pain) unnecessarily, so I'd like to start with where the problem most likely lies. I suspect that the amount of slack (maybe 3") is too much to be just cable stretching-- just not sure which end of the mechanics is most likely to be the culprit. Thanks very much, and thanks for the forum-- it's already been very helpful!

 

[swynx]

i havent really looked at mine closely, but i wanna say i have a spring on mine to take up that slack, have you checked to make sure the cable inside the drums isnt also broken? i would try setting the e brake to about where it needs to be so that its tight and make adjustments for it.

also i dont think a rebuild kit is much.

 

[ClaytonBigsby]

How much have you adjusted it? Mine is always working itself loose on my 85 BII.

 

[96firephoenix]

According to the tow truck driver that hauled my dead one home: "Parking brake doesn't work? I thought they came from the factory like that."

I'd start your looking at the intermediate mount, pretty much right under the gap between the bed and cab. I noticed mine was pretty rusty and not as supportive as it ought to be...

 

[owensdad]

Bracket and spring

Thanks for the replies. 96firephoenix, the bracket/mount and spring are both missing from mine, so that may be part of the problem. Also, the rear left cable (from the equalizer back) is pretty rusted out and doesn't appear to be tightening at all when the brake is applied. I'll change that out and try to find the bracket and spring. I imagine that this will mean a trip to the salvage yard, but if anyone has a part # I'd really appreciate it. Thanks again!

 

[96firephoenix]

wouldn't recommend the salvage yard. the bolt is the same one that holds your spring bushing, and it WILL be rusted solid in a junkyard truck.

This looks right... it says for 05-11, but its a starting point...