Parking brake cables Topic is solved

Post by **misha** » 01 Feb 2020, 13:08

Are parking brake cables the same for both sides?
Same part number,length?

Post by **scot850** » 01 Feb 2020, 13:16

Yes they are. Be careful of aftermarket as I have twice had issues with them being wrong length (too short) so if using aftermarket check length before installing compared to OE.

One thing to watch for is the rivet mount using a plastic loop on the rear trailing mounts. They can be hard to find on the outer side of the trailing arm as the rivet usually corrodes (Aluminum/steal chemical interaction). Wire brush off the area and you should find the place it mounts. You will have to either punch the remaining rivet into the trailing arm or drill it out.

AWD are different to FWD, but again are the same both sides.

Good luck!

Neil.

Post by **misha** » 01 Feb 2020, 13:27

I can't make rear passenger side to work.
It's either expander or the cable....but i can't remove expander without removing the cable.

Expander doesn't expand the shoes when parking brake is applied like it's supposed to.

What is proper length for cables so i can compare it in catalogues?

Post by **scot850** » 02 Feb 2020, 12:07

Sorry misha, but I am not following. Are you talking about the original cables and brakes or new ones? I am going to assume you mean the existing ones hence you are mentioning catalogues. If you are finding one side is not working, it is most likely the cable has split and rusted where it mounts just forward of the rear wheel on that side. The rust prevents the cable moving. It may pull on initially but not return.

If you have not serviced the parking brakes in a while (most don't and seem to think it is a fit and forget item), it is time to dis-assemble and clean, de-rust and lube and re-fit. Unless the parking brake shoes have de-laminated from the metal backing, the FWD parking brakes tend to be less problematic than AWD. The usual issue is the cable failing as mentioned earlier.

I don't know if there is a measurement anywhere and if it is used it may not give a proper length as it will have strtched but only slightly. The issues I have had are the cables being too short. It meant when fitting the rear wheels, the wheel would not go back on as the cable sat too far outward at the front of the wheel.

The brand I have had problems with most was the good old Pro-Parts items, which were the only other brand other than Volvo I had found over here. Maybe in Europe there are other options.

I found the issue was not the length from the parking brake lever to the mount just in front of the rear wheel, but the distance from there to the rear hub if that helps. You could measure your current ones and call and ask a supplier to measure what they are offering.

Neil.

Post by **misha** » 02 Feb 2020, 14:21

I meant on original ones.
However....i found one 850 locally which have fairly new parking cables and functional parking brake...but it sits around 6 years because headgasket failed and mixed oil and coolant.

I'll check parking brake functionality before i start with removing cables,just in case.
I'll remove both sides along with expander....to have additional one for spare.

I'll report how it goes.

I don't know if cables are original....but they are fitted to the car and parking brakes,according to the owner,are working properly.

Post by **scot850** » 02 Feb 2020, 23:28

Sounds like you may have a winner there!

Neil.

Post by **misha** » 08 Feb 2020, 06:55

I just picked up the cable.
Passenger side is seized on parts car,but i removed driver's side one.
Since they are the same(should be),i'll install that one one my passenger side.

Post by **850 LPT** » 08 Feb 2020, 07:20

This is the kind of stuff I only use new parts on. These cables are a real pain to remove and install and I wouldn't want to find out that a seemingly good used one seizes up in the near future and I have to do the job all over again. Not worth the saving $60 for each cable in my opinion.
And just to clarify, one part fits both left and right, which is true also for AWD P80 cars.

Dirk

Post by **erikv11** » 08 Feb 2020, 07:49

850 LPT wrote: ↑08 Feb 2020, 07:20 This is the kind of stuff I only use new parts on. These cables are a real pain to remove and install and I wouldn't want to find out that a seemingly good used one seizes up in the near future and I have to do the job all over again. Not worth the saving $60 for each cable in my opinion.
And just to clarify, one part fits both left and right, which is true also for AWD P80 cars.

Dirk

Off topic but your signature has inspired me to complete my fleet list by including the Camry.

Post by **misha** » 08 Feb 2020, 10:28

850 LPT wrote: ↑08 Feb 2020, 07:20 This is the kind of stuff I only use new parts on. These cables are a real pain to remove and install and I wouldn't want to find out that a seemingly good used one seizes up in the near future and I have to do the job all over again. Not worth the saving $60 for each cable in my opinion.
And just to clarify, one part fits both left and right, which is true also for AWD P80 cars.

Dirk

Cable is practicaly new.It was replaced 6 years ago and soon after that,car blew headgasket and owner never fixed it.So it's a parts car now.
I removed it in 20min...so no problem there.
My car have automatic transmission so i don't use parking brake almost never.

I need it to work because of annual inspection.
That's about only real use of parking brake...once a year at inspection center.