Topic: Rear brake cables

[CharlesTurner]

The cables can be soaked in evapo-rust.  So long as they aren't real rusty/pitted, they will come out looking like new.  Dry off with an air blower, then rub out with steel wool and rust inhibitor, wipe clean.

[Bob Gaines]

Revisiting this one:

Any new ideas on restoring the hose over the cables or are we still back at ordering NPD cables?

Tim never did explain WHY order 68's not 67's

Although I have never tried this the long cable side of the 68-70 looks like the 67 cable except the 68 up cable is longer. The outer housing looks the same but the inner cable is longer. You would need the long side from two different separate 68-up sets of E brake cables. I suppose you could source 2 separate long side 68 - up cables and trim off the extra cable then add back the metal ball at the end. This a little harder then it sounds.

[Bossbill]

Have you considered "Krud Kutter"? It's available at Home Depot.
To clean: remove cables; spray Krud Kutter on cables; use a tooth brush while spraying to clean; rinse with water; preserve clean metals of cable with kerosene; use furniture wax on rubber (beer optional for internal use).
Jim

I have some commercial degreaser that sounds like a heavy duty version of Krud Kutter.
I just hadn't considered that you could brighten up the metal regardless of how much dirt, grease and grime comes off.

Ok, thanks for the tips.

[67gtasanjose]

My rubber sleeves are toast! I am looking for a way to re-do them. I've been thinking about spiral-slicing a rubber hose and bonding the slice closed again.

[Bossbill]

The cables can be soaked in evapo-rust.  So long as they aren't real rusty/pitted, they will come out looking like new.  Dry off with an air blower, then rub out with steel wool and rust inhibitor, wipe clean.

Will use my commercial version of Krud Kutter followed up with Evapo-rust, if needed.

I used some Evapo-Rust on my starter solenoid (using paper tools soaked in the stuff) and was amazed at how good the metal looked without even re-doing the zinc.

If I wash the rear axle assembly outside right now it will freeze to the ground. But since I have half a dozen things going on at a time, I'll get to it after this weird cold snap goes away.

[67gtasanjose]

... I'll get to it after this weird cold snap goes away.

Enjoying record high temps in the midwest today! 71 degrees, doors of my shop wide open and I am wearing short pants! NE Ohio up by Lake Erie, this is unheard of for mid-February! Been over 60 all night and still is right now at 5:15pm! ...it did rain for a few hours and put a damper on taking the '05 Convertible out for a ride

[Bossbill]

My rubber sleeves are toast! I am looking for a way to re-do them. I've been thinking about spiral-slicing a rubber hose and bonding the slice closed again.

I too thought about shrink wrap, but it would shrink around the spiral. So then I went the other way -- stretch.
I measured by parts car rubber at 0.5" OD, 0.07 wall (about 1/16) for a ID of .036 or about 3/8" (0.375).
The rubber item that stretches well is latex tubing -- sling shot or hospital turbing.

I'm not sure how well it would stretch over the small end, but with a little lube...

Found it here (the pull down offers black):
http://www.latex-tubing.com/d038116-010.html

For you to experiment!

[Bossbill]

Enjoying record high temps in the midwest today! 71 degrees, doors of my shop wide open and I am wearing short pants! NE Ohio up by Lake Erie, this is unheard of for mid-February! Been over 60 all night and still is right now at 5:15pm! ...it did rain for a few hours and put a damper on taking the '05 Convertible out for a ride

We even had some snow!
I'm not sure I want to picture the short pants bit, but glad someone got our normally temperate weather!

[67gtasanjose]

I too thought about shrink wrap, but it would shrink around the spiral. So then I went the other way -- stretch.
I measured by parts car rubber at 0.5" OD, 0.07 wall (about 1/16) for a ID of .036 or about 3/8" (0.375).
The rubber item that stretches well is latex tubing -- sling shot or hospital turbing.

I'm not sure how well it would stretch over the small end, but with a little lube...

Found it here (the pull down offers black):
http://www.latex-tubing.com/d038116-010.html

For you to experiment!

I'll give it a try. I ordered 4 feet of it in black 10 feet seemed WAY too much length.

It would be good to hear that the ones NPD sells as "exact repro, 2 reqd." 2A635-2B we're actually just that. For $80 it would be nice to just press the "done" button on these. It has been a few years since this post started, I was hoping a reader had tried them (again) since then.

[Bob Gaines]

I'll give it a try. I ordered 4 feet of it in black 10 feet seemed WAY too much length.

It would be good to hear that the ones NPD sells as "exact repro, 2 reqd." 2A635-2B we're actually just that. For $80 it would be nice to just press the "done" button on these. It has been a few years since this post started, I was hoping a reader had tried them (again) since then.

I will wish you the best of luck with the rubber replacement on the spiral. Maybe you will be the one to figure it out. If not don't feel bad hundreds have tried over the years and as I said before I haven't seen one yet that would pass inspection. The NPD "exact repro "is anything but .

[ruppstang]

Buy original cars for dash pads, firewall pads and brake cables!

[Bossbill]

I resemble that remark!

[67gtasanjose]

Buy original cars for dash pads, firewall pads and brake cables!

Well, since all you restorers by trade are throwing out your junk cables (rusty, frayed, cut)...maybe somebody has a pair of rubber ends at the backing plates (see pictures).

My cables are ok and I am building an occasionally driven car so I can work with a few items 'less than perfect'.
Whether I find other rubbers or not, I will be using my original cables over.

[krelboyne]

Tried to show the OEM rubber hose ribbing. Question on the yellow paint splash, was it applied after it was installed in the brake backing plate?

[J_Speegle]

Tried to show the OEM rubber hose ribbing. Question on the yellow paint splash, was it applied after it was installed in the brake backing plate?

Before by the supplier. Help workers to see the ends that needed to be inserted quicker IMHO kind of like the yellow ere often see on engine motor mounts.