Re: IML: brake cable/bad test

[RandalPark@xxxxxxx]

I'm sorry, it sounds to me like this poster is the victim of a giant misunderstanding. Its time to read the FSM.

The parking brake cable on the '57 Imperial has nothing to do with the rear wheels. Applying a conventional brake test to determine the condition of this parking brake, or any of its parts, is totally fallacious. What has been described here as a "test" sounds like it could have even damaged the parking brake, thus rendering it useless. A test like this could also damage the universal joints, and possibly even the drive shaft.

I recommend that you consult the factory service manual to study how this mechanism works. There is a drum on the drive shaft that also contains a pair of "brake shoes". Activating the cable presses these shoes against this drum. The resistence is on the drive shaft, and although it does stop the rear wheels, an accurate test would take place in the vicinity of the brake. 

The FSM is emphatic about the fact that adjusting the cable is not the procedure here, but rather adjusting the shoes. The cable either works, or it doesn't work. If this brake will hold the car while parked, then it is doing its job. It doesn't take a vehicle inspection to know if this is working. If a vehicle inspection says that it isn't working, but it holds the car while parked, then the inspection is incorrect. 

Breifly, a replacement brake cable won't fix the problem that was described here.

Paul W.

In an email dated 22/10/2005 6:59:53 pm GMT Daylight time, "kenneth chilton" <finfan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:

>paul
>
>The car is driven fo the rear wheels are on ?a rolling road (two large 
>rollers moving in opposite direction). ?The foot brake is then applied, the 
>amount of resistance to turn the rear wheels is measured on the computer, 
>depending on the amount of resistance the car either fails or passes. ?The 
>mechanic phoned and said that there was little resistance and therefore the 
>cable possibly needs renewing. ?I have since had another phone call from him 
>regarding the matter and I consulted him more about the brake cable. ?He 
>said he will try and adjust the parking break to see if it makes any 
>difference. ?My next question is:-
>
>If the parking brake shoes needed renewing where would I be able to get some 
>from?
>
>If the brake needs renewing where would I be able to get one from?(I have 
>spent all afternoon going through all the clubs recommended sites on the 
>brakes parts list but not yet come across a parking brake cable for this 
>car.
>
>Many thanks ?Ken
>
>
>>From: RandalPark@xxxxxxx
>>Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>Subject: Re: IML: brake cable
>>Date: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 12:37:54 -0400
>>
>>This is interesting to me since the parking brake on this car is on the 
>>back of the transmission. The cable isn't really visible, or usually the 
>>part that gives trouble, but rather the "drum" or the "shoes". It would 
>>seem that this cable would either work or not work.
>>
>>Just curious how they determined this during a vehicle inspection.
>>
>>Paul W.
>>
>>In an email dated 22/10/2005 4:59:37 pm GMT Daylight time, "kenneth 
>>chilton" <finfan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
>>
>> >hi from the uk
>> >our 57 imperial ?failed the annual safety check today ?owing to a worn ?
>> >parking brake cable .now i am desperatley seeking a new replacement ?can 
>>you
>> >guyss help ?with the name/ph No ?of a stockist who would have one ?in 
>>stock
>> >. ?please remember this is the uk and we dont have ? the local NAPA
>> >
>> >THANKS
>> >KEN UK ? ? ? 57 CR ? STH/4DR HT
>> >
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