Parking Brake

[Les_Paul]

Alright...my parking brake has been a big struggle for about two weeks now...I can't get it tight enough to keep the truck from rolling if I"m parked on an incline because the cable keeps running into sharp edges on the frame. Well, after spending a few hours on it today and looking at some technical books on how to properly adjust it, I discovered I'm missing one of the "guides" that adds length to the cable while keeping it off sharp edges. There should be two on each side (I'm talking about the short curvy-U-shaped rods that fit into the frame) just toward the rear of the vehicle that lead the cable into the circular guides that are part of the frame. My point in this rambling post is I need to find another one. Anyone know where I can look? O'Reilly didn't have them and had never seen one when I took it in lol

[Jason S]

I've run into this before.  There are a few ways to go about this. 1st: check with the site moderator. 2nd: wrecking yard; 3rd: Check with Chevrolet/GMC parts, if it is now obsolete get the part number and search the internet; 4th: using heavy gauge steel wire (or thin steel rod- about 1/4" or so and malleable) you can bend new guides/hooks.

The guides are really simple to bend. I can take some photos if you would something to go by.

[Les_Paul]

Oh the problems of owning a 40 year old vehicle! Would anyone happen to know a wrecking yard in Houston?

[Tx_Phil]

I've not been to one in Houston but a did some searching (google) for a suburban headliner and found several on the north / north east side of town.

I will see if I can find them again and post some links.

[Les_Paul]

I've run into this before.  There are a few ways to go about this. 1st: check with the site moderator. 2nd: wrecking yard; 3rd: Check with Chevrolet/GMC parts, if it is now obsolete get the part number and search the internet; 4th: using heavy gauge steel wire (or thin steel rod- about 1/4" or so and malleable) you can bend new guides/hooks.

The guides are really simple to bend. I can take some photos if you would something to go by.

If you have some time I would love to see some photos...it would be a big help.

[Jason S]

Okay, I'll try to get you some photos this evening.

[bd]

Perhaps the posted image in this thread will help... e-brake cable routing

[Jason S]

Both of my trucks are 4- wheel drive; a 2- wheel drive will be similar.  Also look at the diagram in the link bd posted.

Here is an original GMC parking brake guide:


Here is one that I made rather quickly using heavy gauge wire.  It is a bit crude compared to the GMC.  In defense of the crudeness, I made it when I was rebuilding the truck about 12 years ago and needed the parking brake to work. I never changed it out and it still works fine...

[Les_Paul]

Both of my trucks are 4- wheel drive; a 2- wheel drive will be similar.  Also look at the diagram in the link bd posted.

Here is an original GMC parking brake guide:


Here is one that I made rather quickly using heavy gauge wire.  It is a bit crude compared to the GMC.  In defense of the crudeness, I made it when I was rebuilding the truck about 12 years ago and needed the parking brake to work. I never changed it out and it still works fine...

Thank you very much!! I'll have to post the pictures of what I did to mine. You inspired me to just "make it work" and made a trip to Lowes for a U bolt. Hopefully I'll get to that tomorrow. My only concern is it still rests on the exhaust pipe...maybe you guys could help me with the routing of it too.

[Jason S]

As long as it works like designed, a u-bolt could do the trick...  If you look at what GM did, even current model trucks from other makes use basically a bent heavy gauge wire for their parking brake setup.

Read through the link bd posted, as well. Just be safe about it.