Emergency brake cable removal/installation

[bob77]

Hello all,
I am getting ready to swap the rear end in my 77 for one with a higher gear ratio. I have everything in both trucks all loosened up and ready for the swap except for the emergency brake cables. I have never disconnected those before and I was hoping someone could let me know if there is any trick or issue with doing so. I haven't pulled the wheels or drums yet. I'm hoping to do the swap tomorrow. The 4.10's in my 77 make the thing get terrible mileage. That poor little 250 has to scream on the highway to even do 60 or 65.

[Blazin]

Pull the drums. You should be able to pull the springs on the cables back enough to pull them out of the arms. Might want to loosen the adjustment where the two cables meet the middle one as well.

[bob77]

Thanks a bunch.

[bob77]

Can this be done without taking the rest of the drum brakes apart? The rear end I am swapping in to the truck has much better brakes on it and I'd rather not pull the drum brakes. (mostly because I have never done drum brakes before.)

[frogman68]

Can this be done without taking the rest of the drum brakes apart? The rear end I am swapping in to the truck has much better brakes on it and I'd rather not pull the drum brakes. (mostly because I have never done drum brakes before.)

After you take the drum off take a pic go to walmart (or any store that can develop digital pics) and get it blown up to like 8X10 and get a manual (Haynes or Chilton's) and do only one wheel at a time

[bob77]

Thanks to everyone for their input/advise. My rear end swap wet great. And after removing and installing the brakes and emergency brake cables twice from both rigs, I am now practically an expert.
Next will be putting a new clutch in my 3-speed. I gather that it isn't too difficult. We'll see.
Thanks a buch all!!!

[SUX2BU99]

Way to go I just swapped over a new rear end (3.40 posi from a 2.76 open) last weekend. My biggest fear was the rear drums but you're right, after doing it a couple of times, you learn it really fast. I had some problems getting one of the e-brake cables back on so I have that to fix but my pedal assembly isn't in right now anyway so not really a worry to me. How are the revs now with the taller gears?

[bob77]

The revs are much lower. It cruises on the highway at 55-60 much easier. I'm going to fill it up and check my mileage this week. I was only getting about 12 or so before and that's terrible considering I'm only running a 250. The truck I pulled the 3.07 rear end out of had the same 250 and was getting about 16-19. I hope to see that or better now.

[bob77]

Those E-Brake cables were a bear. I did get all 4 hooked back up (on my truck and the donor truck), but my fingers are worse for the wear because of it today.

[bob77]

For anyone who may be removing e-brake cables in the future... They do make a tool for squeezing the clips which hold the cable into the backing plate, but I found that the closed end of a 9/16 open end wrench works like a charm. Just slip it down over the cable once you have it disconnected fro the shoe, push it tight over the clip assembley, pull the cable from behind while rolling the wrench around a bit and they come loose pretty easily.

[SUX2BU99]

Apparently using a 1/2" socket end works for that too. I didn't find removing them to be all that bad, it was the re-connection that I struggled with. Having to get the spring around the cable compressed enough while trying to get the end of the cable clipped/snapped into the bracket wasn't easy. I know I wouldn't want to do that for a living but I'm sure guys who work at brake shops have tricks figured out for that.

[bob77]

I agree. As I had to do thi 4 times (2 on each truck), by the 3rd one, my fingers were sore as heck from holding those springs back. I actually almost didn't bother on the donor truck, but I do want to sell it and I hate to leave any loose ends. (especially safety loose ends).