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View Full Version : Mk3 Emergency Brake Cable Issue - '89 donor, rear drum, ford e-brake handle



Kurmamitre
04-02-2020, 10:40 PM
I am revisiting the Mk3 build I started in 2007ish. The car was less than 1/2 done and in these days of home quarantine, I have some time.
As the title says, I'm really frustrated. I am using a stock '89 Mustang donor rear end, drum brakes, parking brake lever and stock mustang cables.
Mk3 instructions are not really clear and doesn't give this particular part of the build much detail. Years ago when the rear end was removed, cleaned up and painted with new drum shoes, etc, etc, etc I purchased new stock 5.0 1989 emergency brake cables. Fast forward and I'm at the point of connecting those cables up to the e-brake lever. With the e-brake cable stop mounted into the rear most bracket on the kit's frame, the cables are about 6" too long.

Since it had been literally years since I purchased the cables, I decided to shorten them and solder on new ends to make them work. Well......one cable end worked and one didn't. When I yanked on the e-brake handle, the solder ball that I had put on, popped off. So...assuming the original cables must have been the wrong ones and since I wrecked one of the old ones when trying to solder ends on, I decide to purchase new, for a 1989 Mustang 5.0 with rear drums, e-brake cables. They're the same....too long. What is the fix for this?? I know you guys are all on Mk4s now so I'm looking for some Mk3 experience and advice. Thanks guys!!

AC Bill
04-03-2020, 12:57 AM
How long are they? I believe the stock drum type cables, on 87-93 Stangs were around 67".
The later model 94-98 Mustang cables I used, were longer again, (I have disc brakes on my Mk3.1) at about 71".
Could you just not route them differently, to use up the extra length? I know some fellows ran the cables under the 4" rear tube.

David Williamson
04-09-2020, 08:09 AM
Going way back to my mkll build so my memory could be off. I seem to recall the E-brake cable on my 93 donor was too long and I had to get one from an earier model as you have done but is it correct?
On my new Coupe build the cabe I had was too long so I got a swage tool from Lowes and put new ends on it, not too expensive and it works.
David W