1986 Pontiac Grand Prix Parking brake system info needed

[justacruzr2]

Hey everyone. Anybody know how many parking brake cables are supposed to be used on the above vehicle? My catalog here at work says there's a left rear, a right rear and a front cable (from the parking brake pedal in the car to the equalizer). But a visual inspection shows only 2. The right rear, from the backing plate to the equalizer, and the front one from the pedal in the car to the left rear. Don't know if somewhere along the line the cables were replaced incorrectly or if 2 is correct and the catalog is wrong. Which way is it?

 

[FluoFerret]

From my experience: many people tried to simplify (for efforts and financial reasons) the cable system and reduced to 2 cables, often fitting some setup from another car. It can work, but often fails if you test the parking brakes on a professionell brake test bench.

If the manual says three, stick to it. It gives you more options in troubleshooting and you can perfectly adjust each side of the car.

 

[Streetbu]

There are four cables. Left rear, right rear, front, and intermediate.

 

[69hurstolds]

G-bodies typically need 3. Right rear which goes to the equalizer, then the Left Rear which goes to and through the equalizer and mates up with the front cable with the connector. Note, parking brake release handles are different between the makes.

The connector (#9) has been superseded to a "bullet" style connector 15714661 if you can't find the bent bracket with a slot style.

And if you need the spring retainer (#5) be careful where you look. That little joker can run big time dollars and it's no bigger than 1/2 a peanut. Classic industries has a replacement for $3 though.

1385078 - 1971-92 Park Brake Cable Retainer ; Various Models

Reproduction of the original park brake cable retainer designed for various GM models as listed below. Manufactured in die stamped steel with clear zinc plating for corrosion resistance.

www.classicindustries.com

 

[pagrunt]

I believe the #9 maybe a Dorman item as a universal GM item.

 

[69hurstolds]

I believe the #9 maybe a Dorman item as a universal GM item.

But you can get the delco bullet ones in a pack of 5 for like 1.80 each at rockauto.com. Amazon even sells a pack of them with both styles for around 4 bucks or so.

The 3 cables can be had from rockauto.com as well for about 30 bucks in the ACDelco brand. No clue as to quality though. Raybestos and Wagner sell them too. Don't know about the rest of them, but the Delco ones come with a bracket clip and nuts and junk.

Highway Stars sell the equalizer for around 18 bucks if you need one.

 

[justacruzr2]

Thanks for the replies, especially those with detail (69hurstolds). Reason I asked this question is because when you apply the parking brakes only the left one is being set (pulled). The right one doesn't move at all. Made me wonder if there was something missing at the equalizer.

 

[clean8485]

The left rear cable will move first, because it is receiving the movement directly from the front cable first. As the left rear parking brake applies and becomes tight, the right rear cable will start to receive movement from the front cable through the equalizer, then the right rear parking brake will tighten up. As a general rule of thumb for these cars, the left rear parking brake will tend to apply more tightly than the right rear, because it will receive more movement from the front cable sooner than the right rear will. Try to make sure that the adjustment of the rear service brakes is correct, since it will allow the parking brake to work more effectively.

 

[justacruzr2]

The left rear cable will move first, because it is receiving the movement directly from the front cable first. As the left rear parking brake applies and becomes tight, the right rear cable will start to receive movement from the front cable through the equalizer, then the right rear parking brake will tighten up. As a general rule of thumb for these cars, the left rear parking brake will tend to apply more tightly than the right rear, because it will receive more movement from the front cable sooner than the right rear will. Try to make sure that the adjustment of the rear service brakes is correct, since it will allow the parking brake to work more effectively.

Thanks. That' was the missing piece of the puzzle. And I think that what that means in my case is that the parking brakes are not adjusted correctly. Somebody replaced these at one time and probably did not adjust them correctly or not at all.

 

[clean8485]

Just make sure that your service brakes (regular foot brake pedal) is adjusted correctly BEFORE you adjust the parking brake. DO NOT make the parking brake adjustment too tight. That will cause your rear brake shoes to drag, causing excessive heat buildup, and premature rear brake shoe wear. The purpose of the parking brake is to keep the car from rolling on an incline. Its not meant to stop the car while its in motion.