Slack parking brake cable woes

[Mike Spataro]

My 92 has problems with the parking brake. The parking brake pedal needs to be pushed almost to the floor to hold the right wheel. The left side rear brake does'nt hold because the cable appears to be too long and cannot be properly adjusted. The left side cable casing should be seated in the frame of the car but it is about 2" away from the frame. If I push the casing in the grommet to try to seat it, there is too much slack in the front cable that is under the doors and entering to the pedal mechanism. Does this sound like a streched cable? Has anyone had this same situation?
It appears that the arms that are connected to the calipers are ok and the cables are free in the casing. Thanks for any information you can provide. I did'nt find any information in the search feature.

 

[warmachine]

I am confused a bit by your description. On the Taurus, the LH cable is not seated in the frame. It passes through the frame and snaps into the adjuster. See the photo below: Item 1 is the LH cable, item 3 is the adjuster nut, item 4 is the adjuster, item 5 is the RH cable.

<img src=http://www.pixhost.com/pixd/dhamman/dn5parkbrake.jpg>

If there is slack in the cable, tighten the adjuster nut until there is slight movement at the caliper levers.

However, your description states that you can get one brake to hold but not the other. This is almost definitely due corroded rear cables. The Taurus uses a conduit reaction system, therefore, unless there is a binding cable, the LH and RH caliper lever force and travel will be equal. Replace the rear cables and everything should work much better.

-Greg H
(former Ford park brake engineer)

<small>[ November 20, 2002, 12:04 AM: Message edited by: warmachine ]</small>

 

[Mike Spataro]

Thanks for your reply, Greg. After thinking it over last nite, I think the left cable must be binding. The description you provided is very helpful. Item #1 is the cable that is the problem and it is suppose to go through the frame, as you mentioned and stop on a collar that is secured on the casing of the cable. This collar is about 1 1/2" away from the frame. I will take the left side cable assembly out and inspect it and probably replace it. Thanks for the help. Mike

 

[Mike Spataro]

Follow-up. Installed a new left side cable last nite. Emergency brake works like a champ. Thanks for the info Greg.