Emergency brakes engage spontaneously

DiecellDan · Aug 9, 2019

My right rear emergency brake engages on it's own or when I apply normal brakes. Has anyone had this issue?

I looked at the linkage and it looks like the right emergency cable is loose. How do I repair this?

79jasper · Aug 9, 2019

It wont just apply on it's own.
Either it is grabbing and trying to lockup. (Check for leaking gear oil)
Or something else internal is broken.
Regardless, you need to pull the drum and see what's going on.

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Clb · Aug 9, 2019

When was the last time ya flushed the ENTIRE system???
+1 on what jasper said...

DiecellDan · Aug 10, 2019

System was flushed last year when the master cylinder was replaced

franklin2 · Aug 10, 2019

The cables are famous for corrosion and sticking on, applying the brake all the time. I would imagine you saw it being "loose" at the crossbar on the driver's side frame? That is because it's applied all the time, even when you loosen the handle under the dash.

If you need to get by for now, get some vise grips, grip the offending cable about 1/2 inch ahead of where it goes into the sheath with the pliers, then take a hammer and strike the side of the pliers to push the cable back up into the sheath. Do this a couple of times and it will release the brake. Then make yourself not use the parking brake till you get a new cable on it.

IDIBRONCO · Aug 10, 2019

I've learned to assume that the emergency brakes don't work on these old trucks. I just don't use them. I know that this isn't an option for everyone, but it's my way of cheating.

79jasper · Aug 10, 2019

I used mine all the time. But mine had spent it's life in Oklahoma. Lol

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franklin2 · Aug 11, 2019

IDIBRONCO said:
I've learned to assume that the emergency brakes don't work on these old trucks. I just don't use them. I know that this isn't an option for everyone, but it's my way of cheating.

Emergency brake is mandatory for me if I have a manual transmission. What a headache not to be able to let the engine idle and get out of the truck for fear it will roll away.

The cables rusting is a very common problem since 1980. They are fairly cheap only $15.00-$25.00 each. They are a pain to replace though. The crossbar on the side of the frame likes to rust all up, and you usually have to take the rear brakes apart to get the old one out and the new one in.

chris142 · Aug 12, 2019

Mine had a wheel lock up when the lining on a shoe came off the web and was getting jammed when I used the brakes. My parking brake has always worked great.

DiecellDan · Aug 12, 2019

It was the rear parking cable. It was rusted in the "engaged" position.

79jasper · Aug 12, 2019

Had you tried to use it recently?

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kpj · Aug 12, 2019

One thing I've learned over the years driving with my truck is to use Motorcraft parking brake cables. Rear cables will be ok for sometime if you use aftermarket cables, but big no for the cable from the pedal. I've tried Raybestos and ac Delco and both lasted about 5 times until they started sticking. The Motorcraft cable from pedal have been there for about 8 years and still works great and that is with winter driving also...

Emergency brakes engage spontaneously

DiecellDan

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79jasper

Chickenhawk

Clb

Another old truck

DiecellDan

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franklin2

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IDIBRONCO

IDIBRONCO

79jasper

Chickenhawk

franklin2

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chris142

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DiecellDan

Registered User

79jasper

Chickenhawk

kpj

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