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#56311 02/10/2006 9:33 PM | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 70 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 70 | Has anyone sucessfully 'unfrozen' a rusty emergency brake cable by soaking it in diesel, keroscene, AT fluid, using electrolysis, or anything?
I will appreciate any comments whether this can be done or bite the bullet and buy a new one.
Thanks in advance,
52 Ted
illegitimi non carborundum
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#56312 02/10/2006 10:44 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 975 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 975 | 52 T,
I would bite the bullet and buy new ones. My 46 cables were in the same shape.
I figured that even if I got them moving again, they would not work right. From my bicycle days, good cables are the recipe for smooth working controls. On bikes, we always dumped old cables...
You can get the plastic coated ones for a reasonable price. If you are going to go resto-correct, the steel wrapped ones are going to cost you.
You can try E-bay..it is hit or miss on NOS stuff. | | |
#56313 02/10/2006 10:49 PM | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 428 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 428 | | | |
#56314 02/10/2006 10:53 PM | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 | I have gotten some free with lots of penetrating oil. But they will rust back up and freeze again.
Fred 52 3600 69 C-10
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#56315 02/10/2006 10:57 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 507 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 507 | Not a bad price the Filling station wants $69.50 + shipping for a repo.
"If it ain't Steel it ain't Real" "Earth the insane aslyum for the rest of the Universe" 41 1/2-ton, a work in progress 68 Shortbed stepside 327/325hp/700R4
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#56316 02/10/2006 11:43 PM | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,031 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,031 | You can buy a cable lubricator at your local moto~cycle shop that allows you to ''inject'' (i use) white lithium grease INTO the inside of your large ebrake cable. after you get it unfrozen, Keep pressing the grease can button until you hear grease come out the other end. put a rag @ the far end first. It works GREAT about $12.00
Jim & Caroline The highway is for gamblers, better use your good sense." Gooday-that's my 1¢ answer due to the lousy economy ~ cause I ain't got - no . mo . doe Every Shaver | Now Can Snore | Six More Minutes | Than Before ... | Half A Pound for Half a Dollar | Spread On Thin | Above the Collar || BURMA-SHAVE
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#56317 02/11/2006 4:33 PM | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 70 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 70 | I guess there is no magic formula to 'un-sticking' them and keeping them reliable. Guess I'll bite the bullet and get a new pair. Thanks everyone for their replies - the 'Bolt' comes through as usual. 52 Ted
illegitimi non carborundum
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#56318 02/12/2006 2:59 PM | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 25 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2005 Posts: 25 | Pat. I had the same trouble with the parking brake cable on my 46 one ton. Cables were rusted solid at front attachment point. New cables were not available. Here's my solution. Remove brake cable from housing. On a bench grinder, carefully grind away 1-2" of the cable sheathing on the 'front end' of the cable. Work slowly and carefully, rotating the cable to remove the metal housing evenly. When all sheathing is removed, soak cable in penetrating oil overnight. Next morning, lock brake end in vise and work cable loose with vise grips. When free, coat in grease. Attach a length of 1/8" aircraft cable with crimp clamps. Use 2 clamps. Crimp in vise. Reinstall, attaching aircraft cable to parking brake linkage. Use crimp clamp, or 'u-type'clamps to secure. Adjust linkage as necessary. Remember to re-grease the 'open end' of the cable when you grease the truck. My fix has lasted for two years and counting. Good luck. | | |
#56319 02/12/2006 9:06 PM | Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 49 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 49 | A Word of Warning.... i had a cable rusted up on the '51 for a spell... kept fighting at it, finally got it to working. Yeah! me thinks, until one week later when i go to put it on and BAM! Broke it good! The rust had weakend it enough to where it finally broke. Good thing i was still holding onto the back up emergency brake (aka block 'o wood). Brakes are important. Important enough for new parts. seems that i am still learning that lesson.
Build 'em to Drive 'em
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