The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs 1947 Chevy Parking Brake Question

I have going crazy trying to find parts for my 47 thriftmaster, half ton truck. Every picture I get off the net never says what year I am looking at. So I am never for sure if the parts are for the 47.I have replaced the parking brake cables and put in new wheel cylinders. There is not anything to attach the cable clevis to, those parts are long gone. I need help finding the parts if anyone can help me. From research I have come to believe that the parts are the parking brake lever and strut with assorted nuts and bolts, springs. Are there several years that will fit or not? Thanks in advance, Semper Fi

Semper Fi, WMDischar - thank you for your service

Be careful to avoid asking to buy parts outside the Swap Meet fora.
In each Swap Meet post, state the make/year/model of your truck

I’ll allow this post because it is a general question about parts for 1947 Advance Design trucks.

Here are lists of distinguishing characteristics for 1947-1955 Advance-Design trucks.

Feel free to ask here about specific parts that you want to know what years match yours.

NOTE TO READERS/HELPERS/GIFTERS/TRADERS/SELLERS: if you have parts contact this member via email and/or Private-Message.

If you have the 47 second series, your parts should be fairly easy to get. Just remember that '47 was a change year for most everything.

Martin, I have to disagree with you on this one. They are not easy to get. Well, one of them is not anyway.

I've been searching for those exact two parts that WMDischar is referring to, except mine are for a 1951. He should have Huck brakes, I have Bendix. You CAN find the Spreader Bar and Spring aftermarket, but you're not gonna find the Lever. Unless somebody is junking a rear-end that has those parts, I have not seen it available aftermarket. I even posted in the "Parts Wanted' section a while back, looking for these parts (mainly the Lever).....not the first response. With all the rear-end changing and swapping going on, I would have thought somebody would have had these parts.

If I had an old one to even look at, I would fabricate mine. But I have yet to get my hands on one.

WMDischar, not to discourage you, just letting you know what I have found (or not found in this case).

I know the parking brake is not critical, but I'm wanting everything to work as intended.

We can agree to disagree. There are thousands of these trucks setting around in fields and barns. Purchasing a parts truck is an option. Yes difficult but not impossible. Keep looking. 🛠

I have come to learn, that on 51 thru 55 CAR brakes, they used the same set up as the trucks.

I would like to think that the same applies to 47 thru 50. May not.

I like to look for parts for myself and for others. The descriptions are vague if you want help finding. Lever can mean hand lever or actuation lever. If anyone can post pics of the 47.1 parts needed. I will keep an eye open. I'm not familiar with the parts but if they are that rare, no one is. Probably needs posted in wanted I guess. Glad to search my "networking contacts".

The internet is your friend bartamos.

'Parking Brake Lever' is what it is actually called. It bolts (some may clip) to the backside of the trailing brake shoe in the rear brake drum. Kind of a half-moon looking piece, not quite as large as the brake shoe itself. Bolts at the top, has the cable slot at the bottom for the parking brake cable to attach to. Strut bar and spring go across between the two brake shoes. My understanding is with the parking brake cable being pulled, tension is applied by the brake shoes against the drum, (mainly the front shoe if I understand correct).

I have seen them called a Parking Brake Strut Lever also. You can find plenty of them, not uncommon at all, for later model stuff. Finding them for early model trucks like we have, that's a different story.

Ac Delco shows a #179-1224 for early model Chevys, but it ain't gonna fit AD trucks.

WMDischar....I didn't mean to hijack your thread, but I feel your pain. I've searched for about 6 months to no avail for the levers for my 51. Martin is probably correct, junkyard bound I suppose.

I've been on the internet daily for almost 20 years. I am a Master Expert National Total Autoparts Locator (MENTAL) person. I find and order everything from my wife's makeup, to pool system parts to a couch.... I buy and sell truck parts. Find difficult parts for my projects. I have tons of internet sites and friends. I asked for a picture of what you guys want. Otherwise how would I know exactly what to look for? I see the Delco you gave. But it's not what you want or what the poster wants. Many times I have found parts which were misidentified by the seller or attached to something else or misspelled. If I just search like you guys have already done, by make model etc, I would not find it either. If I see something at a swap meet, I would never know if it's what you want or not. If you two ever run across a pic of what you need, send me a PM/email. Possibly someone will read this thread and have a pair to sell or a pix. It would also enable me to send the pic to other folks so they will know what I'm talking about. Just the name of a part like this is no good.
I understand if you are not able to provide the info. I have plenty to do. You will find it some day. If neither of you knows what they look like or has a pic then you could buy off of the internet, like ebay, because the guy says it fits, but it doesn't. Money wasted.
Some car stuff can be the same. Nothing here right? https://www.ebay.com/itm/49-50-51-52-CHEVY-E-BRAKE-EMERGENCY-PARKING-BRAKE-EQUALIZER-LINKAGE-HANDLE

The parking brake hardware on my '47 was long gone too. If you have the 'Link' as identified in Fig. 21, you probably need the R and L 'Lever'. It took me a while to get everything I needed but, I posted in the Swap Meet under the Truck Parts Wanted forum and a Stovebolter came through for me. Remember, these are Huck brakes and not Bendix brakes on the 1947 second series.

Exploded Diagram It's for a 1 ton rear brake, basically the same design.

Good luck,

I am continuing to look for spreader bar and parking brake lever with springs , bolts etc., for 47 Chevy half ton, for left and right side in rear. wmDischar.

Could you tell me where I might buy aftermarket spreader bar with spring, I need both sides to complete parking brake system. I have a guy who says he has the two levers that I need that hook to the parking brake cable of my 47 Chevy truck.

I have been looking for a needle in a hay stack. But maybe something will turn up.

Rear Brake illustration - car is same as small truck in your year (see second link)

Parking Brake Parts

Group 5.149 Parking Brake Lever : 1946-1950 Passenger & 1/2 ton Truck
Group 5.150 Parking Brake Extension-Strut : 1946-1950 Passenger & 1/2 ton Truck

Both parts were used for 5 years in cars and small trucks.

Put that information in your Parts Wanted Ad.
There should be people who swapped out those parts - for "upgraded"/new-style rear brakes and/or rear-end?

GM part # 475482. Google that number, seems to be lots of options to look over. Also Google 1948 (not 1947) when looking to avoid the body style change if yours is a 1947.2. Worth a try.