New parking brake cables too tight

[macbox]

I changed the parking brake cables on my 95 SC2 with rear disc brakes today, except they seem kind of tight, the wheels wont spin, and the adjustment nut on the handle is completely backed off. Is this something that will solve itself once I set it down and start using the brakes, or is there something else I need to do?

The new cables are Raybestos BC95196 for SC2 with rear disc.

I could try stretching them as in this thread, that's what I'll be doing while I work on something else and we'll see if it makes a difference.

[SUPERCHARGE]

LOL! dude, those are the same cables I installed. Yeah, you have to stretch them by pulling the ebrake, leaving in for a while, then tightening the nut, etc. They really should of provided more length on these cables. My lever wasn't even engaged and my wheels weren't turning at first. Are you noticing it harder to install on the driver's side than the passenger side?

[macbox]

Originally Posted by SUPERCHARGE

LOL! dude, those are the same cables I installed. Yeah, you have to stretch them by pulling the ebrake, leaving in for a while, then tightening the nut, etc. They really should of provided more length on these cables. My lever wasn't even engaged and my wheels weren't turning at first. Are you noticing it harder to install on the driver's side than the passenger side?

Actually, it's the passenger side that is a lot harder. The equalizer is nearly straight, so that's good, now I just need to ge the rubber grommets back into the body and I'll be done.

Any hints on getting the cable grommets back into the body?

[SUPERCHARGE]

Originally Posted by macbox

Actually, it's the passenger side that is a lot harder. The equalizer is nearly straight, so that's good, now I just need to ge the rubber grommets back into the body and I'll be done.

Any hints on getting the cable grommets back into the body?

I didn't install the grommets in yet. I ran out of day-off time and considering it's my secondary vehicle, haven't been stressing about it yet. I tried for 5 min and it looks close to impossible to fit them all the way in. Keep in mind that these cables are also used for other brand cars and may not be able to put them all the way in at all. Even the brackets were completely wrong.

I'll try by putting a load of lubricant on the rubber and push the sides in bit by bit with long-neck pliers. Worse comes to worse if they don't go all the way in, I'll push them in as far as possible, clean them up and seal the rest with windshield sealant/glue.

[macbox]

I have the grommets most of the way in. I used a 3 Lb sledgehammer and a big flathead screwdriver. Grease it first, that does help. There are a couple of techniques for this. One is to place the screwdriver blade what I want to call radially, as if you were drawing a straight line across the radius of the grommet. The other way to place it is by placing the screwdriver flat against the cable, back it off a bit so you will be over the part that needs to be pushed in. Whack the head of the screwdriver with the sledgehammer. I still got them only most of the way in, so I'm going to whack them some more when I get time.

Yeah, the bracket hardware isn't quite right since the cable bracket that should connect to the 18mm bolt that holds the trailing arm on the underbody is completely missing, I suppose I'll need to fabricate something now.

Originally Posted by SUPERCHARGE

Keep in mind that these cables are also used for other brand cars and may not be able to put them all the way in at all. Even the brackets were completely wrong.

That explains it, it kinda sux the fitment isn't better, but my parking brakes now work, and they are nice and tight, which I like better than the completely broken condition they were in before.

BTW, for those reading at home, the easiest way to get the grommets out is from the inside, using a sledge and a screwdriver they just whack out.