The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1949 1/2 ton panel park brake cable / drum turning

So, I need to replace the parking brake cable on one side of my '49 1/2 ton panel. I see that I can buy a new one, which is great, but I wonder if I should hunt around for a used one, as I see in my shop manual, that they were available with a grease zerk in the centre. Having that zerk sure would be nice, although a new cable would last for quite some time before it started to seize and stick I suppose! I'm not so used to having new parts!

Surely someone has been down this road before.

Also, my front drum is out of round, I can feel the pedal pulse as I stop. Just how much can I get it turned down before I need a new drum? I don't see this listed in the shop manual. Or, should I just look around for a better used drum that doesn't need machining?

Thanks everybody!

Mr. Lang,

I bought new emergency brake cables for my panel from the Chevy dealership about 25 years ago. They are still good. I think the key is to clean them and oil the cable every now and then. New is nice, especially with brake parts.

I would take your drum to the local brake shop. They should be able to tell you if they can be turned or not.

So my recommendation is new on the cable, and turn your existing drums.

Kurt

Kurt

It is hidden somewhere in one of the manuals but the recommendation for those drums is a limit of .060" I had success using heat on my cables and bending them a little to pop the rust bond. Some of them can't be saved.

Okay. I'll stick a crowbar in my wallet and buy a new cable. Maybe even two.

My cable isn't seized, but it does not slide well. I took it off and dripped oil down it yesterday. It seems to work now, but it's mighty stiff yet. At some point, the cable was broken from the adjuster (that screws into the yoke) and it was brazed back on! Man, they used to braze everything!

I guess I'll take the drum off someday and take it over to the local shop here. I need to replace those front bearings too. They are a little "clicky" when the wheel is turned!

Thanks.

Chris, I'm not sure on your year model but on some drums it will state the minimum or maximum inside drum size.
I also bought new cables for my 52 panel. Hopefully not every cable is like mine....Both of them were a little short but I was able to make them work...barely.
Also, are you sure the "clicky" sound of the wheel bearing is not contributing in some way to the pulsating? (doubt it but possible)
Ahhhh, go ahead, just get a BIG crowbar and buy all new!

The drum in question has a visible egg shape when spun. Not huge, but I can see it. I might be better off with a "new" used one. Free to ask though, so I'll cart it over there someday soon.

Perhaps the drum is marked. I remember I had a '63 LandRover, and the drums were marked.

Uuuuugh. I hate having to fight with crappy repop stuff. I'm happy we can buy it, but some of it makes me angry. That's part of the reason I was wondering about an old one with a grease zerk.

check local parts houses for the cable, I got some for 5-9 locally

are the 49 drums the same as the 55-59? got a pile of those

Bill

I'll phone up the Lordco tomorrow and ask about the cables. From looking at the parts catalogues, the '49 is different. Wasn't in '50 that they changed to Huck brakes?