Topic: Restoring Rear Parking Brake Cable

[ppc66]

Cleaned up my 65 metuchen coupe one piece rear e-brake cables.
 I started by degunking them of undercoat, grease as much as possible with hot water, simple green, soap, acetone, thinner, some wire brushing, etc. Then I let them soak in evaporust for about 2 days. Took them out, brushed them some more, and I feel they came out pretty good. Only one of my rubbers at the backing plate was split on a side which I think I can simply rubber cement back together. The rubber tubing on each looks to be in pretty good shape. There is one spot where the coil relief spring around the cable was broken. I think I can fix that with a careful blip of the welder or see if I can somehow wind it together.  The cable itself looks perfect. Not frays at all.
I found the FOMOCO logos on the crimped lug ends that attach closest the equalizer bar. These were originally blue.  The other color I found was yellow where the cable enters the backing plates.  The yellow ends were pretty grimy, and I can't tell if it is all yellow at that end or if the tangs that keep them in the backing plate should be yellow as well or what. Haven't found any good pics of that.

Note that the cable is captured by the curved bracket of the adjuster... is that how the factory did it?

(Sorry the pics look horrible... yes, that is the cable on the washing machine, but it was not used to clean the parts)

-Perry

[sgl66]

Here you go

Note the same crack in rubber. Was thinking the same about rubber cement unless someone here has a better proven option

[ppc66]

Thanks for the confirmation pic.  My rubber 'hoses' aren't cracked per se. It's the rubber boot that goes over the 'furrele' at the yellow expander end. And just one is split, I think some weather strip adhesive or maybe the glue that's in a tire plug kit would do the trick after a quick wipe with some acetone.
They also make a product for reconditioning rubber wheels for record players. I haven't got any to try but it exists. The rubber I have otherwise seems to be in real good shape.
As a concours note... there was some sound deadener / undercoat and body overspray on my cable housings. It's cleaned off now, but was certainly there.  There is still a little bit on my e brake rubber 'hoses'.

Not that my car is anywhere near concours correct but someone might find that interesting.

Thanks again,

Perry

[Bob Gaines]

Thanks for the confirmation pic.  My rubber 'hoses' aren't cracked per se. It's the rubber boot that goes over the 'furrele' at the yellow expander end. And just one is split, I think some weather strip adhesive or maybe the glue that's in a tire plug kit would do the trick after a quick wipe with some acetone.
They also make a product for reconditioning rubber wheels for record players. I haven't got any to try but it exists. The rubber I have otherwise seems to be in real good shape.
As a concours note... there was some sound deadener / undercoat and body overspray on my cable housings. It's cleaned off now, but was certainly there.  There is still a little bit on my e brake rubber 'hoses'.

Not that my car is anywhere near concours correct but someone might find that interesting.

Thanks again,

Perry

The cables were not added until after the body was painted.

[J_Speegle]

The cables were not added until after the body was painted.

+1   

Maybe a repaint and some dealer or owner added undercoating

Markings are specific to the year and typical.