Removing parking brake cable to install front driver side torque box

[Dray]

Hey all,

This weekend I was going to trial fit the front driver side torque box into the Chally and when I rolled under the car I realized that the parking cable was in the way.  No big deal, I thought, as the torque box had a hole in it that appeared designed for this very purpose. 

Soooo, after looking at how the parking cable was attached to the frame, I realized I had no idea what held it there and that excessive pressure would likely break something that I needed to re-attach it.  Therefore I am looking for some advice on how to successfully hurdle this small little obstacle.

Sometimes, I hate not understanding how these things work, but every day I thank cc.com for its infinite wisdom! 

ciao,
dray

[gkring]

it just snaps in, problem is it doesn't snap out very easily that I have found. 30 years doesn't help the situation. You have to push down all the little ears and allow it to go back though the hole. Maybe ford A/C line removal tool would work in this situation? I pulled mine out the other day and just used a screwdriver to push each tab down one by one while pulling back gently on the cable. I'd liek to know the trick as well if there is one.

[Dray]

Thanx GKRing, I will get out my biggest hammer and see what I can do!   

[Mt.St.BigBlock]

Hi, I've found a small worm drive heater hose clamp opened up to get it on
there and then tighten it down around all the tangs will pull all the tangs in
at once and then start it thru the hole so all the tangs have a start and then
release the hose clamp and pull it thru the rest of the way. Sort of like you
do with a piston ring compressor tool. Goodluck  Jeff

[Dray]

Mt.St.BigBlock,  nice trick.  I am going to give that a try!  Cheers!

ciao,
dray

[GreenFish]

He said "Tangs" 

sorry couldnt help it

[Raw Untamed]

Can we see a picture of this please?  I'm having this same problem.  I don't understand your instructions.

[Grec]

Can we see a picture of this please?  I'm having this same problem.  I don't understand your instructions.

Basically, the parking brake cable ends are held in by little tabs, that once they go through the mounting hole, open up and prevent it from backing out. Think fish hook barb. Easy to push in, hard to pull out.

To remove, you need to compress all the tabs (I believe there are three tabs each) so that they will slip back through the hole.

I just did this last weekend. Fun times! lol.

[Chryco Psycho]

Hey Dray
 Long time , I wondered what was happening with you !
 once you disconnect the mid cable the front cable just slide through the X member & snaps into place , just rock it & push back & it will release , the cable at the wheels is tougher to remove .
Neil

[Raw Untamed]

Finally, I got it off.  I used a small screwdriver and poked around on it until the clip opened up enough that pliers would pull the cable out.  I still don't know how you would do it without breaking it the clip.  Maybe they broke because they were so old and rusty.  I hope a new cable set comes with new ones.  That hose clamp idea would only work on the rubber grommet with the 3 tangs holding it into the firewall.  However, I simply used a pair of pliers.

Thanks for the help.

[JpRngr]

Another way to collapse the tangs is with a 1/2" closed end wrench. Just slide it over the tangs and you should be able to collapse them enough to slide through the hole.


Corey

[whitewatersky]

how about that grommet where the park brake cable goes through the floor into the wheel arch?

the grommet has a metal layer in it, that also has tangs that hold it in place.

I was gonna fold the thing in half and slide through the hole, but wonder if there's a better way and also if a replacement part is available?

[shawge]

The grommet that came with my new parking brake cable is nothing like the original.  No metal tangs, all rubber.