Removing parking brake street/strip car

The " Park" brake doesn't hold in reverse.
How many times you back outta a driveway or parking space, - put it in "Drive", - and go no-where while the emergency is applied.
GM addressed this in the early 80's by putting one emergency cable through the rear of the backing plate, to make that wheel hold in reverse while parked on a backward downslope .
It was not a serious attempt at a "PARK" brake till then !

My ten second Plymouth has one, it would be a ***** to need it when it’s not there.

Very timely question. My Duster didn't have the ebrake when I bought it. Installed it awhile back just because. Yesterday my wife and I took the Duster for a spirited mother's day cruise to show her how well it hooks now with the 275 MTs and new 4.30 gear set. Had a real blast until the brake pedal went soft when getting on the Hooks after a hard launch and wot rip through the gears. Still had a little braking (to the floor) and nursed her home.

But had my hand on that ebrake handle when approaching intersections and stop signs. Didn't have to use it, but was real nice knowing I had it jik.

Now to rebleed the brakes ugh. Hoping air in line and not the master cylinder.

I have a friend that drove his car from California to Iowa without brakes using his parking brake only. I’m not saying he was correct in doing this but he did make it all the way home. He was driving a 1950 Buick and said he stopped a few places looking for parts but gave up and just rolled with it….

Scenes from "RV" may be appropriate.........

rmchrgr said:

...... Do you carry wheel chocks around?.....

Click to expand...

Lol, yep, I did. Just one. A chunk of "2 X 3" on a the end of a 2-1/2' length of 2" X 3". Kept it next to the driver seat. On a hill, open the door, lay it out, let the car roll to it.
It worked for me for a long time.

New cable set went in last year. The main cable was a ***** with the HD clutch pedal up under the dash. Must'a dropped that cotter pin a dozen times!

Whatever the correct terminology, I still just don't want to re-install it. I just re-did the entire rear end and it's all nice and ready to be buttoned up. If I keep the parking brake, the cables sort of need to go first. I'd want to pop for new cables, no way I'm putting in 50 year old rusty ones. That means I have to wait for at least a week until the parts come. I'm too impatient for that...You can kinda sorta do it with the shoes and hardware installed but it sucks, much easier to have them in first.

Still looking at aftermarket cables but not finding exactly what I need.

OK, I have done a little research regarding parking brake cables so I may end up re-installing the parking brake. I found the below specs on RockAuto. The various Mopar repro parts vendors seem to only carry the OE steel sheath type which I didn't want. Piecing them together on RA is WAY cheaper as well, like $70 some odd bucks vs. $120 for the repro ones.

Oddly, there are variations in length. I used the RA part numbers for direct reference on the Dorman website. Far as I can tell, Raybestos does not have a webpage listing their individual parts but the specs are on R.A.'s site. Dorman says their cables are for both 9" and 10" brakes. Both brands say these part numbers are for a 1971 Duster. Seems like they both use the black vinyl sheath which I prefer over the OE sprial steel.

My original cables are approximately 93.25", 34.75" & 73.25". It was hard to measure them exactly because they are permanently formed/twisted/bent into place and are rusted so they don't lay in a straight line.

Based on the specs below, it appears I'll have to mix and match brands to get the correct lengths. I don't like to do that though I'd bet they're all made by the same offshore company anyway.

I put the difference in lengths to the right of the Dorman listing.It may be hard to see because the text won't format like I want.

RAYBESTOS BC92320 front cable
Cable Diameter (IN) 0.125
Cable Fitting Size, End 2 (IN) 0.313
Cable Fitting Type, End 1 Clevis
Cable Length, Overall (IN) 95.440
Housing Length, Overall (IN) 41.000


DORMAN C92320 front cable
Package Contents 1 Brake Cable
Conduit Length 39.96 In. -1.04"
Cable Length 95.35 In. -.009
Color/Finish Black
Installation Hardware Included No
Cable Jacket Material Rubber
Conduit Included Yes


RAYBESTOS BC92531 Right rear
Cable Diameter (IN) 0.125
Cable Length, Overall (IN) 73.500
Housing Length, Overall (IN) 59.750

DORMAN C92531 Right rear
Package Contents 1 Brake Cable
Conduit Length 57.99 In. -.25"
Cable Length 72.64 In. -.86"
Color/Finish Black
Installation Hardware Included No
Cable Jacket Material Rubber
Conduit Included Yes

RAYBESTOS BC92396 Left rear
Cable Diameter (IN) 0.125
Cable Fitting Type, End 1 BALL
Cable Fitting Type, End 2 Barrel
Cable Length, Overall (IN) 34.690
Housing Length, Overall (IN) 20.687

DORMAN C92332 Left rear
Package Contents 1 Brake Cable
Conduit Length 19.57 In. -1.117"
Cable Length 33.58 In. -1.11"
Color/Finish Black
Installation Hardware Included No
Cable Jacket Material Rubber
Conduit Included Yes