Installing the parking brake on a caliper, need help!

[Mr95Gl]

My problem isn't removing the parking break, but installing it. Here's a pick of the parking brake as it is, removed from the old caliper.






Now I held down the very end of the cable to remove it from the spring loaded assembly. I forgot what I did, either I released the parking brake, or extended then released it but, the cable was exposed prior to me removing it from the assembly. Now it's enclosed in the metal area because of what I did above. How do I get the cable back out and exposed out of the metal area? I don't need more length to get it to wrap around the spring loaded assembly. Am I make ANY sense right now? lol Thanks!

 

[johndallara]

parking brake problem

my guess is you somehow caused the cable to catch on something upstream, and thereby get pulled back into the cable housing after you took off the caliper. you need to isolate the affected cable upstream and look for the problem. it is probably loose or jammed in that spot.

the two cables for the parking brake extend from the rear suspension, meet just forward of the L rear wheel and pass through the frame at that point. forward of the pass-through, along the left side of the frame, you should be able to isolate the cable for the affected side.

perhaps with an assistant applying tension at the caliper end of the cable, you can jiggle the wire loose. you might also need to straighten the parking brake cable, esp. on the R rear brake which makes several turns.

JD
89 GL/SC (retired)
95 ATX
95 MTX (on the road again)

 

[Mr95Gl]

my guess is you somehow caused the cable to catch on something upstream, and thereby get pulled back into the cable housing after you took off the caliper. you need to isolate the affected cable upstream and look for the problem. it is probably loose or jammed in that spot.

the two cables for the parking brake extend from the rear suspension, meet just forward of the L rear wheel and pass through the frame at that point. forward of the pass-through, along the left side of the frame, you should be able to isolate the cable for the affected side.

perhaps with an assistant applying tension at the caliper end of the cable, you can jiggle the wire loose. you might also need to straighten the parking brake cable, esp. on the R rear brake which makes several turns.

JD
89 GL/SC (retired)
95 ATX
95 MTX (on the road again)

Ok so if I'm reading this correctly (excuse my ignorance), have someone hold onto the end of the cable, with say a pair of vice grips, while I do what? I read that one of the nuts on the frame is an adjuster? Can I somehow use that to relieve some tension, so I (or assistant) can pull the cable back out of the housing?

What I tried doing, and I'll be honest, was trying to slowly extend the PB, while I try to pull the cable back out the housing. That was a no go (obviously). Oh, and if it helps, this is the drivers side parking brake. Thanks!

 

[sdpatt]

Make sure the parking brake pedal is fully released. That cable end should have about 2" of bare cable showing from the shield tip. You should be able to grab that cable end with your fingers and pull it from the shield. If not, something is pulling on the cable. You have to find out what it is. The service manual says to release the cable end from the parking brake during this job IIRC. That may be your ticket.

 

[Mr95Gl]

Make sure the parking brake pedal is fully released. That cable end should have about 2" of bare cable showing from the shield tip. You should be able to grab that cable end with your fingers and pull it from the shield. If not, something is pulling on the cable. You have to find out what it is. The service manual says to release the cable end from the parking brake during this job IIRC. That may be your ticket.

That's exactly what I've been trying to say. There was about 2 inches of bare cable exposed prior to me removing it from the spring loaded assembly. Afterwards I believe I extended, then released the parking brake, which caused the bare cable to retract within the cable housing.

I tried using a pair of vise grips on the end to no avail. Doesn't even budge.
By releasing the cable end from the parking brake do you mean, up by the drivers area, or in the rear? Once again, thanks for the responses!

 

[johndallara]

parking brake cable

That's exactly what I've been trying to say. There was about 2 inches of bare cable exposed prior to me removing it from the spring loaded assembly. Afterwards I believe I extended, then released the parking brake, which caused the bare cable to retract within the cable housing.

I tried using a pair of vise grips on the end to no avail. Doesn't even budge.
By releasing the cable end from the parking brake do you mean, up by the drivers area, or in the rear? Once again, thanks for the responses!

I was thinking that it was stuck along side of the frame driver's side, but might be stuck up at the pedal. I agree, make sure the pedal is fully released. If the pedal is down, however, the other parking brake cable should have tension on it.

JD
89 GL/SC (retired)
95 ATX
95 MTX (on the road again !)

 

[Mr95Gl]

The parking brake works as it should. If push the peddle down, the cable retracts towards the front of the vehicle. When I release it, it goes back to its previous position. My problem is getting the bare cable exposed, so I can wrap back around the spring loaded assemply on the caliper. I don't know what to do, to get it back out of the metal housing.

 

[Mr95Gl]

Finally got the sucker installed

After an hour of frustration, curse words, bruises, and a prayer, I finally got it installed.

Me trying to figure out how the **** to get the cable back into the spring loaded assembly. . . . .



An hour later, after going at with the vise grips, I was able to pull the cable out of the housing, enough so I could grab a screwdriver, pry down on the spring lever and get the cable in. Talk about fun!



Ah yes, the finished product.




All in all i'm satisfied. My initial intentions was to leave that caliper E-brake less, but decided I'd give it one last go at it, and it worked. Now that the rears are nice and fresh, the fronts seem to be begging for attention. Stockers, or upgrade? Decisions, decisions. . . . . .

 

[CerberuS]

No matter what brand your car is , rear handbrake cables on disk brake , are always a pain to re-install - cable is stiff and you need to use the "force".