The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1952 3100 emergency brake cable

I trying to fix the PO’s installation of the emergency brake cables. The rear cable installation in the drum appears correct but where front of the cable is supposed to be clamped it’s cable tied to the top of the clamp. I disassembled one side and tried to install the end into the clamp but it was too big, thus the reason it was cable tied. I measured the cable sheath end OD at .475” and the ID of the clamp measures .437”. I suspect the cable is not the correct one for my 3100 and I figure if I ordered another specific to the 3100 would most likely correct the issue. Am I on the right track or am I missing something.

I just measured mine and your sheath is too large. LMCtruck sold me the proper cables, rockauto did not. I believe Rockauto sent me AC Delco cables that ended up having the wrong thread for the clevis even though they’re listed for a 1/2 ton. Yes I’m aware my clevis nuts arent tightened up yet.

Thanks! I’ll have to order new cables.
Thanks again!

Speaking if threads, if my cable sheath is too big I wonder if id the PO alter the clevis? Do you know the thread size? Mine measures 5/16” with a NF thread.

Phak1,

There's some information in this thread that may be useful..........

Thanks Andy. Interesting reading. My issue is slightly different. The metal end of the sheath is physically too big to fit into the clamp, so I’m going to order another set of cables. I did find according to the 47-54 Truck Assembly Manual that the clevis thread is 5/16-28 so a new cable should fit.

Just a follow up: I had the chance to install the new cables purchased from LMC truck (thanks to Lindsey for his recommendation) and they fit perfect. A couple of things that I noticed when I did the install that may help future “Stovebolt” installers.

Several of the post’s I viewed and pictures on websites that sold these cables showed several different cables. Some with short metallic ends (1/2”- 5/8”in length) and some much longer (appear to be machined) pieces as in the ones I purchased (look at the two pictures, the one I posted vs. the picture Lindsey posted). Those type have two grooves, one in the middle and the other close to the end. When you insert the cable sheath into the clamp, the clamping bolt aligns with the groove in the middle locking the cable into its proper position without the aid of the clamping force. Of course you do have to tighten the clamp bolt. The other groove on the end mates with the boot that seals the sheath to the cable.

I also caution fellow “Stovebolters” to make sure you get the right cables. Many of the ones sold don’t appear to be correct as in the ones I found installed in my truck.

It never ceases to amaze me when you buy the right part how much easier the job becomes.

Does anybody know where I can buy the yoke at the end of the brake cable. My truck came with two different sizes. Now that I replaced the cables one yoke is too short. The correct one (the original) measures 3-7/8” long, with a 5/16”-24 thread. I have looked on line and in eBay and could only find the short version. None of the local parts stores carry these yokes.

Any help would be appreciated.

If no one posts info on a source/seller, place a want ad in the Swap Meet (your photo is quite helpful).

https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/dept/Brakes/cat/Emergency.html

Leads you to this:

https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail/15029/Chevrolet_Clevis_Emergency_Brake_Cable_End.html

Not sure if that's the short version you mean?

I think this is where I found some hard to find parking brake parts inside the drum.

Lindsey, that is the short version (one I already have) and is too short. That is all I can find. It’s seems to be the same length part that everybody offers. But thanks anyway!

After not getting any offers to purchase a matching yoke (which I believe is original) I still needed to get my passenger side emergency brake cable hooked up as I am really close to getting her on the road. I looked in the “Truck Factory Assembly Manual” and I noticed that my cross shaft outer levers were adjusted incorrectly. As per the manual the levers should be adjusted so that are pointing toward the back 7 degrees from vertical. Mine were pointing in the opposite direction. Making this adjustment looked like it may enable me to use the shorter yoke that I already have. I looked at my truck and it appeared to have enough adjustment to enable me to split the difference and use both the longer and shorter yokes.

Of course every part was frozen solid by rust, including the cotter pin, the clevis pin and the locking nut and finally the yoke. After soaking the assembly in penetrant for several hours, piece by piece I was able to get it apart after spending 1-1/2 hours of elbow grease and the best tool in my tool box, finesse. Something I learned during my 40 year career as a machinist.

In order to obtain enough cable thread penetrating the yoke I may have stretched that 7 degrees, but I now have a working emergency brake.

One more thing to note. The short replacement yoke that came with the truck, has a 12 mm nut size. The thread is American standard 5/16 NF but the nut is still metric. So, I will continue to be on the lookout for the correct yoke. I am not a purist by any means but if you remanufacture an American made part, keep it all American.