The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Emergency Brake Pedal ?????????????

I just replaced the cables and got the foot pedal working for the emergency brake on my 51 half ton chevy pickup . Does anyone know what was supposed to hold down the pedal when stomped down trying to set the brake??? Here is the next Question ,there is a large (looks) like a old bed spring between the pedal and the floor wrapped around the shaft, it returns the the pedal and does not set the brake. DID this come from the factory or WAS this my dad reminding me he was there like so many other things i have found while working on the truck. THANKS FOR ANY FEEDBACK BJF

BJF,

Friction holds down the parking brake pedal/rod where the the flat bar near the base touches the circular bar that the pedal is attached to. Do not grease the bar too much and make sure the edges are sharp in the hole in flat bar.

...and the spring belongs there...


What's going on?

Assembly looks like this:

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/parts/1929_54/290.htm

My locking bar does hold the brake quite well, sort of like a cam lever. I actually have more trouble releasing it than setting it.

I think i have got to learn how to send pictures . I have an actual old bed spring installed in my truck it looks nothing close to what you kind folk are showing me. REMEMBER THE OLD SPRINGS back in the 40s or 50s that were under the mattress in a bed. One of those. About 4 inches around 8 inches hi. I not kidding you .I will take it apart and do it right. GOOD OLD DAD,these coal miners had a mind of there own.HE never listened to anyone. OH whats been going on is HEART attach,Dead for a spell,jump started in transit and still here. thanks for asking BJF

BJF, 40 or 50 years ago folks used what they could "make do". I watched my dad do the same thing so nothing ever surprises me on these old trucks.
....just getting over triple bypass so there is always hope. Hang in there.

And don't get it mixed up with the somewhat similar spring under the steering wheel.

Best of luck to your Dad

The pedal return spring is actully under the cab attached to the return rod.
...pic...
Make sure your not missing that one

It wold be interesting to see a pic of what you have

OK ,in the picture you posted earlier there is a small heavy spring below the part that grips the shaft when you stomp the pedal.My small spring is missing,now between the shaft gripping part at the floor and the back of the pedal is the bed spring.The shaft runs through the middle of the spring and really does a good job returning the pedal,but you cannot set the brake. THANKS FOR ALL THE FEEDBACK BJF

Did it work before you replaced the cable?

Try adjusting the release handle. mine is a knob with a "B" yours might be a "T" Handel
I find if I adjust the Handle to far in, the brake won't set.

I spent the afternoon messing with the brake pedal and what it came down to was there was to much spring coil so i got out my chain cutters and removed three windings of the bed spring, the brake sets and man you have to be careful so the pedal does not bust your leg on the return it comes back at you like a jack in a box. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR FEEDBACK. I am going to keep DADS spring so when it busts my leg once in a while it will remind me of the old russian who put me straight more than a few times. BJF