Parking Brake cables keep popping off

the spring is there to keep tension on the cable anchor, and keep the cables
in place. if the cables are falling out with the spring attached, you have
it assembled wrong.
<Forddriver.DeleteThis@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:8ooiq39r3jvgaclvekt89kn2fhr335st8n@4ax.com...
> This is a 1990 Ford F150, 4WD 5 liter engine Manual Trans.
>
> Awhile back I replaced the one parking brake cables to the driver side
> rear wheel. (The other one was fine), as well as the front one.
>
> Anyhow, the ends of the cables from the rear tires have these molded
> "balls" on the ends of the cables. The two cables go into the
> equalizer, one goes on the left, the other on the right, with the
> front cable going to the middle. Anyhow, those "balls" go into a
> round hole in the equalizer which has a slot below the round hole,
> where the cable itself goes.
>
> At least once a week one of those "balls" pops out of the equalizer,
> so I am constantly having to crawl under the truck to fix it. It's
> not hard to put it in as long as the pedal is all the way UP, but it's
> annoying, and on a manual transmission vehicle the parking brake is
> needed.
>
> Is that equalizer supposed to be pinched together after the cables are
> inserted, or what? The pedal is tightened (adjusted) about right. IU
> should also mention that there was a spring under there that I
> removed. When the spring is used, the cables pop out almost everytime
> I use the brake. There's got to be soem way to make them stay in
> those holes. But how?
>
> I should mention that all cables are free and I greased them where
> they enter the their cable housings (but not on those balls). This
> seems to happen most when the roads are snow covered.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> If someone wants a photo, I can take a pic during the daylight, but
> I'll need to figure out where to post it. (My newsserver does not
> allow binaries). I never used a blog, but I guess that would be a
> place to post it, (I think).
>
> Thanks
>
 >> Stay informed about: Parking Brake cables keep popping off 

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 >> Stay informed about: Parking Brake cables keep popping off 

On Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:23:38 -0600, Forddriver.DeleteThis@invalid.com wrote:

>On Wed, 6 Feb 2008 11:11:56 -0500, "Tom" <tjctransport.DeleteThis@optonline.net>
>wrote:
>
>>the spring is there to keep tension on the cable anchor, and keep the cables
>>in place. if the cables are falling out with the spring attached, you have
>>it assembled wrong.
>
>I would have thought the same thing, but the spring can only connect
>one way, and it's pulling against the path of the cable. (I know,
>thats hard to explain). Lets put it this way, when the spring is
>connected, it pulls the equalizer to the rear of the truck when I
>relase the pedal. That applies tension to keep the pedal UP. All of
>that makes sense. However, if there is a tad bit of ice or frost on
>the cables to the rear wheels, the equalizer is pulled back by the
>spring quicker than the slower moving wheel cables (due to the ice).
>Therefore the cables pop out all the time, at least in colder weather.
>Without that spring, they do not pop out nearly as often, even though
>the parking brake light is always flashing on and off because there is
>no back pressure to keep the pedal at it's top most position.
>
>I keep thinking I should actually put a spring on the brake pedal
>under the dash to pull it upward, but I guess that would do the same
>thing.
>
>There's only so much one can do in cold snowy weather to keep snow and
>ice off the bottom of the truck. I greased the cables to prevent as
>much ice buildup as I can. If only there was a way to keep those
>cable ends (balls) in their slotted holes. I've already considered
>screwing a piece of tin across the slots, so the cables can not come
>out. Maybe that's what I need to do??? But I'd think that the thing
>was designed to work as it is. Yet, I still wonder if it should be
>crimped (squeezed together by the cable holes).
>
>Thanks
Drill a small hole in each side of the equalizer and install a small
cotter pin or a tie wire to hold it in.

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
 >> Stay informed about: Parking Brake cables keep popping off 

<Forddriver DeleteThis @invalid.com> wrote in message
news:8ooiq39r3jvgaclvekt89kn2fhr335st8n@4ax.com...
> This is a 1990 Ford F150, 4WD 5 liter engine Manual Trans.
>
> Awhile back I replaced the one parking brake cables to the driver side
> rear wheel. (The other one was fine), as well as the front one.
>
> Anyhow, the ends of the cables from the rear tires have these molded
> "balls" on the ends of the cables. The two cables go into the
> equalizer, one goes on the left, the other on the right, with the
> front cable going to the middle. Anyhow, those "balls" go into a
> round hole in the equalizer which has a slot below the round hole,
> where the cable itself goes.
>
> At least once a week one of those "balls" pops out of the equalizer,
> so I am constantly having to crawl under the truck to fix it. It's
> not hard to put it in as long as the pedal is all the way UP, but it's
> annoying, and on a manual transmission vehicle the parking brake is
> needed.
>
> Is that equalizer supposed to be pinched together after the cables are
> inserted, or what? The pedal is tightened (adjusted) about right. IU
> should also mention that there was a spring under there that I
> removed. When the spring is used, the cables pop out almost everytime
> I use the brake. There's got to be soem way to make them stay in
> those holes. But how?
>
> I should mention that all cables are free and I greased them where
> they enter the their cable housings (but not on those balls). This
> seems to happen most when the roads are snow covered.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> If someone wants a photo, I can take a pic during the daylight, but
> I'll need to figure out where to post it. (My newsserver does not
> allow binaries). I never used a blog, but I guess that would be a
> place to post it, (I think).
>
> Thanks

Did this "popping out" all start only after the replacement? If
so......hmmmm........ maybe the cable is too long or something is not
installed correctly.
 >> Stay informed about: Parking Brake cables keep popping off 

on my truck the spring goes to the front of the truck to keep the cables
tight when released.
the spring in the pedal assambly is what holds the pedal up. i still think
you have the cable tensioner assembled wrong.
<Forddriver.DeleteThis@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:2fmkq3t711pd34j9jn0fek79a0nl6cidsl@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 6 Feb 2008 11:11:56 -0500, "Tom" <tjctransport.DeleteThis@optonline.net>
> wrote:
>
>>the spring is there to keep tension on the cable anchor, and keep the
>>cables
>>in place. if the cables are falling out with the spring attached, you have
>>it assembled wrong.
>
> I would have thought the same thing, but the spring can only connect
> one way, and it's pulling against the path of the cable. (I know,
> thats hard to explain). Lets put it this way, when the spring is
> connected, it pulls the equalizer to the rear of the truck when I
> relase the pedal. That applies tension to keep the pedal UP. All of
> that makes sense. However, if there is a tad bit of ice or frost on
> the cables to the rear wheels, the equalizer is pulled back by the
> spring quicker than the slower moving wheel cables (due to the ice).
> Therefore the cables pop out all the time, at least in colder weather.
> Without that spring, they do not pop out nearly as often, even though
> the parking brake light is always flashing on and off because there is
> no back pressure to keep the pedal at it's top most position.
>
> I keep thinking I should actually put a spring on the brake pedal
> under the dash to pull it upward, but I guess that would do the same
> thing.
>
> There's only so much one can do in cold snowy weather to keep snow and
> ice off the bottom of the truck. I greased the cables to prevent as
> much ice buildup as I can. If only there was a way to keep those
> cable ends (balls) in their slotted holes. I've already considered
> screwing a piece of tin across the slots, so the cables can not come
> out. Maybe that's what I need to do??? But I'd think that the thing
> was designed to work as it is. Yet, I still wonder if it should be
> crimped (squeezed together by the cable holes).
>
> Thanks
>
>
>><Forddriver.DeleteThis@invalid.com> wrote in message
>>news:8ooiq39r3jvgaclvekt89kn2fhr335st8n@4ax.com...
>>> This is a 1990 Ford F150, 4WD 5 liter engine Manual Trans.
>>>
>>> Awhile back I replaced the one parking brake cables to the driver side
>>> rear wheel. (The other one was fine), as well as the front one.
>>>
>>> Anyhow, the ends of the cables from the rear tires have these molded
>>> "balls" on the ends of the cables. The two cables go into the
>>> equalizer, one goes on the left, the other on the right, with the
>>> front cable going to the middle. Anyhow, those "balls" go into a
>>> round hole in the equalizer which has a slot below the round hole,
>>> where the cable itself goes.
>>>
>>> At least once a week one of those "balls" pops out of the equalizer,
>>> so I am constantly having to crawl under the truck to fix it. It's
>>> not hard to put it in as long as the pedal is all the way UP, but it's
>>> annoying, and on a manual transmission vehicle the parking brake is
>>> needed.
>>>
>>> Is that equalizer supposed to be pinched together after the cables are
>>> inserted, or what? The pedal is tightened (adjusted) about right. IU
>>> should also mention that there was a spring under there that I
>>> removed. When the spring is used, the cables pop out almost everytime
>>> I use the brake. There's got to be soem way to make them stay in
>>> those holes. But how?
>>>
>>> I should mention that all cables are free and I greased them where
>>> they enter the their cable housings (but not on those balls). This
>>> seems to happen most when the roads are snow covered.
>>>
>>> Any ideas?
>>>
>>> If someone wants a photo, I can take a pic during the daylight, but
>>> I'll need to figure out where to post it. (My newsserver does not
>>> allow binaries). I never used a blog, but I guess that would be a
>>> place to post it, (I think).
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Parking Brake cables keep popping off 

This message is not archived
 >> Stay informed about: Parking Brake cables keep popping off 

<Forddriver RemoveThis @invalid.com> wrote

> >the spring is there to keep tension on the cable anchor, and keep the cables
> >in place. if the cables are falling out with the spring attached, you have
> >it assembled wrong.
>
> I would have thought the same thing, but the spring can only connect
> one way, and it's pulling against the path of the cable.

> If only there was a way to keep those cable ends (balls) in their slotted
> holes. I've already considered screwing a piece of tin across the slots,
> so the cables can not come out.

Or a zap-strap through each hole, so there's no room for the end to pop out.

> But I'd think that the thing was designed to work as it is.

Theoretically, it should.

> Yet, I still wonder if it should be crimped (squeezed together by the cable holes).

Doesn't say anything about crimping, but it does have pretty pictures...

http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/0a/a2/6b/0900823d800a...b/repai
 >> Stay informed about: Parking Brake cables keep popping off 

This message is not archived
 >> Stay informed about: Parking Brake cables keep popping off 

88 F350
<Forddriver RemoveThis @invalid.com> wrote in message
news:2nolq3dlr01qbe93jcuuu9inm8leaqb7hb@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 7 Feb 2008 05:37:00 -0500, "Tom" <tjctransport RemoveThis @optonline.net>
> wrote:
>
>>on my truck the spring goes to the front of the truck to keep the cables
>>tight when released.
>>the spring in the pedal assambly is what holds the pedal up. i still think
>>you have the cable tensioner assembled wrong.
>
> My spring goes to the rear just like in that photo on the weblink. I
> think that's odd too, but thats the only place it can go. There's
> nothing but the floor in front, no hooks or attachments. My cable
> tensioner looks just like in that picture too. I was glad to see that
> pic so I knew I had it right. I sure can not see any other way to do
> it.
>
> I dont think the spring on the pedal does much more than lift the
> pedal. I'll have to look under there, but the pedal is always just
> below it's top (UP) position (without the spring on the equalizer), so
> the parking brake light keeps flashing when I go over bumps.
>
> Just curious, what year and model is your truck?
>
> Thanks
>
> F.D.
>
>><Forddriver RemoveThis @invalid.com> wrote in message
>>news:2fmkq3t711pd34j9jn0fek79a0nl6cidsl@4ax.com...
>>> On Wed, 6 Feb 2008 11:11:56 -0500, "Tom" <tjctransport RemoveThis @optonline.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>the spring is there to keep tension on the cable anchor, and keep the
>>>>cables
>>>>in place. if the cables are falling out with the spring attached, you
>>>>have
>>>>it assembled wrong.
>>>
>>> I would have thought the same thing, but the spring can only connect
>>> one way, and it's pulling against the path of the cable. (I know,
>>> thats hard to explain). Lets put it this way, when the spring is
>>> connected, it pulls the equalizer to the rear of the truck when I
>>> relase the pedal. That applies tension to keep the pedal UP. All of
>>> that makes sense. However, if there is a tad bit of ice or frost on
>>> the cables to the rear wheels, the equalizer is pulled back by the
>>> spring quicker than the slower moving wheel cables (due to the ice).
>>> Therefore the cables pop out all the time, at least in colder weather.
>>> Without that spring, they do not pop out nearly as often, even though
>>> the parking brake light is always flashing on and off because there is
>>> no back pressure to keep the pedal at it's top most position.
>>>
>>> I keep thinking I should actually put a spring on the brake pedal
>>> under the dash to pull it upward, but I guess that would do the same
>>> thing.
>>>
>>> There's only so much one can do in cold snowy weather to keep snow and
>>> ice off the bottom of the truck. I greased the cables to prevent as
>>> much ice buildup as I can. If only there was a way to keep those
>>> cable ends (balls) in their slotted holes. I've already considered
>>> screwing a piece of tin across the slots, so the cables can not come
>>> out. Maybe that's what I need to do??? But I'd think that the thing
>>> was designed to work as it is. Yet, I still wonder if it should be
>>> crimped (squeezed together by the cable holes).
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>>
>>>><Forddriver RemoveThis @invalid.com> wrote in message
>>>>news:8ooiq39r3jvgaclvekt89kn2fhr335st8n@4ax.com...
>>>>> This is a 1990 Ford F150, 4WD 5 liter engine Manual Trans.
>>>>>
>>>>> Awhile back I replaced the one parking brake cables to the driver side
>>>>> rear wheel. (The other one was fine), as well as the front one.
>>>>>
>>>>> Anyhow, the ends of the cables from the rear tires have these molded
>>>>> "balls" on the ends of the cables. The two cables go into the
>>>>> equalizer, one goes on the left, the other on the right, with the
>>>>> front cable going to the middle. Anyhow, those "balls" go into a
>>>>> round hole in the equalizer which has a slot below the round hole,
>>>>> where the cable itself goes.
>>>>>
>>>>> At least once a week one of those "balls" pops out of the equalizer,
>>>>> so I am constantly having to crawl under the truck to fix it. It's
>>>>> not hard to put it in as long as the pedal is all the way UP, but it's
>>>>> annoying, and on a manual transmission vehicle the parking brake is
>>>>> needed.
>>>>>
>>>>> Is that equalizer supposed to be pinched together after the cables are
>>>>> inserted, or what? The pedal is tightened (adjusted) about right. IU
>>>>> should also mention that there was a spring under there that I
>>>>> removed. When the spring is used, the cables pop out almost everytime
>>>>> I use the brake. There's got to be soem way to make them stay in
>>>>> those holes. But how?
>>>>>
>>>>> I should mention that all cables are free and I greased them where
>>>>> they enter the their cable housings (but not on those balls). This
>>>>> seems to happen most when the roads are snow covered.
>>>>>
>>>>> Any ideas?
>>>>>
>>>>> If someone wants a photo, I can take a pic during the daylight, but
>>>>> I'll need to figure out where to post it. (My newsserver does not
>>>>> allow binaries). I never used a blog, but I guess that would be a
>>>>> place to post it, (I think).
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Parking Brake cables keep popping off