1995 F-250 4x4 Parking Brake...ugggh!!!

[fever]

Greetings!! I'm the original owner of a 95 F-250 4x4 SC. Since about 10 years ago, I've been having problems with the e-brake. It started when the brakes would not fully release, and so they dragged some. Even taking the truck in and having the dealer replace the foot pedal mechanism did nothing to help. My temporary solution was to reach under the truck and jerk the cable, which worked. So I added a spring that would pull the cables loose. This did not work 100% of the time, and so I quit using the e-brake for everyday parking, and eventually forgot all about the e-brake problem. Time goes by, and I'm launching a boat and notice that no matter how hard I push on the e-brake pedal, the brakes don't grab. They don't even start to grab. Next chance I get (today) I do some investigating and notice that the cable gets very tight when engaged, yet neither the left or right brakes actuate. Without the drum on the brakes, I can see that the lever inside the drum is not getting pulled, even though the cable is tight. Incidentally, I give the e-brake pedal enough push that I'm afraid I'd pull a hamstring. Where's a good place to start? Thanks Mike

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[dbelt]

Just before the cables go into the drum backplate, there is a covering over the cable that holds the cable to the backplate. From no use or little use the cable inside of that covering gets rusty and freezes tite. Most times that cable and covering will need to be replaced. But sometimes there is a grease zerk on that covering and if you apply grease under preasure and heat, you can break it free. - Good Luck!

[bradsharp]

I have the exact same problem with my 1998 F-250 LD so please let me know if this worked.

[fever]

Will do. Thanks for the tip.

Been a struggle to get time to dive in, but when I do, I'll post up the results.

Mike

[fever]

Got the cables from NAPA for about $50-ish for the pair. Schuck's were cheaper, but one week delivery, so went with NAPA. Not plugging either one. Just giving you a budget to work with.

The pedal goes up and down like new. Only drawback, is that the pedal just about hits the floor before the brakes actually set. I'm afraid that over time the shoes and cables will wear and end up bottoming out.

Is there a way to adjust (take up) the slack? There's a LOT of freeplay.

Thanks again for the advice. I feel safer launching the boat now.

Mike

[bradsharp]

thanks for letting me know.