Uneven Parking Brake

[PNWTim]

Looking for feedback or insight from those with experience. I installed my e-brake and cables this morning. These cables came with my Gordon Levy brake kit. Both are Wilwood and fit well. One is 60" and the other is 72". I chose to install the longer cable on the DS. As you can see from the first picture, the DS internal cable appears to be longer which results in a canted attachment. Both calipers are adjusted correctly so I can't shorten up the cable which is too long - there simply isn't enough play. For the life of me, I can't really figure out what is going on here but maybe I'm having a moment.

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DS Caliper

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PS Caliper

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I should mention I measured from the caliper actuation arm down to the boss and the PS is 3" and the DS is 3.25". I thought "OK, the DS caliper needs to be shortened up" but that doesn't appear to be the case. If I remove 1/4" of throw from the arm the PB locks the rotor tight.

[gbranham]

But does it fully compress both calipers when the e-brake is engaged? If so, I don't see the problem, other than aesthetics. You won't see it ever again once you put the tranny tunnel cover on.

Greg

[PNWTim]

But does it fully compress both calipers when the e-brake is engaged? If so, I don't see the problem, other than aesthetics. You won't see it ever again once you put the tranny tunnel cover on.

Greg

Unfortunately, it does not. The extra 1/4" length will not allow the caliper to clamp as tight as the other. Since I posted this I have been thinking I can probably put a 1/4" spacer behind the welded bracket to make up the length.

[gbranham]

Yeah, I was thinking the same, as long as the cable still locks into place on the frame. Or, cut the offending cable and reinstall a ferrule.

Greg

[michael everson]

Also those thick washers do not go on the cable holders. They go in the handle assembly. Check the instructions.
Mike

[PNWTim]

Also those thick washers do not go on the cable holders. They go in the handle assembly. Check the instructions.
Mike

Thanks Mike. I actually ended up with two separate sets of those washers and chose to run them in the cable holders as well as the handle assembly. Seemed like a good solution to prevent the crushing of the holders.

[edwardb]

If the actuation arms on the calipers are different lengths, that should be addressed. I'd be talking to Mr. Levy. You would have uneven actuation even if the cables were exactly the same length.

[PNWTim]

I ran down to the local Ace and bought some 9/16" steel bushings. Stacking up three seemed to do the trick. I am going to anchor my lines in two separate locations so I don't think there will be an issue with cable backing out of the hole. I know it's not ideal but we'll see how it goes.

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[burchfieldb]

Seems logical. Same concept for adjusting them on a bike.

[PNWTim]

If the actuation arms on the calipers are different lengths, that should be addressed. I'd be talking to Mr. Levy. You would have uneven actuation even if the cables were exactly the same length.

It's a good point Paul. When I measured them yesterday it was with the intention of determining what was going on with the cable and perhaps an adjustment issue. But after sleeping on it I need to confirm if the actuator arm is slightly longer or the caliper is perhaps slightly different. Wilwood has an absolute myriad of models and parts in their catalog so I suppose it's possible I could've received an incorrect e-brake caliper which would certainly account for the cable length discrepancy.

[rickster991]

Check out my build thread. I ran into the same issue and placed the clevis on the outside instead of the middle. That gave me even pressure.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Sounds like you got it but an option would be to eliminate the two rod ends and clevises and do something like the self equalizing single cable and bar like the Mustang parking brake.

https://ad4062394301f5213879-385273f35a1492ed75ad0e23ea945a34.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.c om/mustang-front-adjustable-parking-brake-cable-kit-87-93_ef6fd8f4.jpg

Jeff

[PNWTim]

Check out my build thread. I ran into the same issue and placed the clevis on the outside instead of the middle. That gave me even pressure.

Thanks for the reference. I think my small stack of bushings has got it handled. Will know more once the cables are stretched several times.

[PNWTim]

Sounds like you got it but an option would be to eliminate the two rod ends and clevises and do something like the self equalizing single cable and bar like the Mustang parking brake.



https://ad4062394301f5213879-385273f35a1492ed75ad0e23ea945a34.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.c om/mustang-front-adjustable-parking-brake-cable-kit-87-93_ef6fd8f4.jpg

Jeff

Thanks Jeff. That would be a fix for sure. I think my low tech $3 shim job is going to work. There is nowhere for the cable sheath to go so not really worried about the one coming out of the welded bracket. I suppose time will tell.