Tight Handbrake

[grouchyandugly]

got my 66 Valiant Convt some 3 weeks ago. just yesterday i noticed (discovered) that my handbrake cannot be pulled up, it is so TIGHT. went belowdecks on the dumb dirtyword car and found the Cables are all TIGHT. but...car drives and stops normally. suggestions?? i believe i will have to make close physical contact with either of the two dirtyword rear wheels. or?? stay safe thanks

 

[Rmoore]

Sounds like you have some stuck cables !!

 

[Dana67Dart]

I would pull the rear drums off and see what if anything is going on in there.

Then I would disconnect the cables from the actuators in the rear brakes and see if the cable moves when you apply the hand brake.

If the cables don't move I would assume they are frozen inside their sleeves.

As for a fix, if it is the case, see if you can get some lube or anti rust etc into the sleeve to loosen it up.

 

[grouchyandugly]

then why would those Cables be tight with NO play/give in them? those dumb dirtyword Cables are never driven/pulled TIGHT during normal operation, but always have some "looseness" in them..... so... if they were frozen, they would then not be as tight as these dirtywords are. i realize i will have to remove the drums, but wanted to ask if there was something (unknown) that would make them (both) that way. stay safe. thanks

 

[grouchyandugly]

my Cables have froze/rusted/shot/done/kaput. give me something to do. but... freaking hurt my index finger trying to get that dumb dirtyword! nut loose from the Y-connection... used a pry bar plus wrench, and pinched my dumb finger bad.... NOW I AM IN A "FIX" !!! because it is a "special finger" that i use for "picking my nose", which i cannot do now !!! tried my other hand/finger, but i just kept poking myself in my freaking EYEBALL. OUCH. wheeee.... stay safe. thanks

 

[dibbons]

Keep in mind also that the plastic pull handle does not last forever. I have a habit of putting the parking brake on only "half-***" on my '65 Valiant and '65 Barracuda. One day I decide to pull the parking brake lever like a real man, and it snapped off in my hand.

 

[BobW]

I'm having the same issue on my new to me '64 vert. My front cable is frozen and I cant find a listing for it.
The earliest front cable listed says it's for 67 & up, Raybestos # BCA92319. Conduit length 40" overall length 91".
I just came inside from under the car, I'll try to measure it tomorrow.
I have new rear & intermediate cables.
Anyone know if this later listing will fit the earlier car?
Or have a part# / source for the early one?

 

[BobW]

I'm having the same issue on my new to me '64 vert. My front cable is frozen and I cant find a listing for it.
The earliest front cable listed says it's for 67 & up, Raybestos # BCA92319. Conduit length 40" overall length 91".
I just came inside from under the car, I'll try to measure it tomorrow.
I have new rear & intermediate cables.
Anyone know if this later listing will fit the earlier car?
Or have a part# / source for the early one?

OK so digging deeper (looking at pictures on Rock Auto) it appears the entire '67 & up cable system is different.
So I need a source for the '64-'66 front brake cable.
Tomorrow I'll attempt to remove it and get it free'd up.
Like grouchyandugly the nut is not coming loose from the adjustor, it has been sprayed. But since I have the new intermediate cable I'll just cut the old one and see if I can soak the entire front cable assembly in oil.

 

[Dana67Dart]

One day I decide to pull the parking brake lever like a real man, and it snapped off in my hand

Look in the how to section I posted how I replaced mine on a 67 but same procedure should work on yours

 

[BobW]

OK got the front cable removed. Like the OP the adjuster nuts didn't free up, and just twisted the threaaded rod in half. Cut the other lock nut off and was able to remobe the cable/housing from the car.
This cable for the 64-66 is unbotanium, but the good news is the housing/sheath is the same length (41") as the housing for the 67 & up Valiant.
Raybestos part # BCA 92319 is $21.79 at Rock Auto.
Cable Diameter (IN) 0.125
Cable Length, Overall (IN) 92.500
Housing Length, Overall (IN) 41.000
Wire Fitting Size, End 2 (IN) 0.313
Wire Fitting Type, End 1 Clevis
I'll just run the wire through the fitting in the '64 intermediate cable, use a cable clamp or 2 to secure it and cut off the excess, leaving a few inches for adjustment.
If this was an auto trans car I wouldn't be concerned, but since it is a stick, I use the parking brake.

 

[BobW]

Finally received the front brake cable and as advertised the housing/sheath section is identical to the original, but nicely plastic wrappd, as is the cable itself.
Placing it along side the original I cut the inner cable where the original had the threaded portion swedged on.
I then cut the threaded portion off the new cable leaving about 1" of cable and coupled the 2 pieces with cable clamps. I could have left 2" and still had full travel of the pull handle.