Hooking Up E-brake After 5 Lug Conversion

cdurbin · Jul 30, 2012

I just picked up a 1991 fox-body a week or so ago and I'm slowing working through some of the issues I need to fix. One being the E-brake. The previous owner paid a speed shop to do the 5 lug conversion and when they did, they didn't hook up the e-brake. They told him that the cables would rub on the exhaust which sounds kind of lame to me. How hard can it be to fabricate some sort of guide for the cables. Anyway, the car has a 1998 GT rear end in it. My question is this. Can I just buy the left and right brake cables and install them or will I need to modify the existing e-brake handle assembly? I could sure use some advise as I have never done this before.
Thanks

stykthyn · Jul 30, 2012

Rubbing can be fixed by zip tying the cables out of the way. Your current handle will have to be modified though. It's a simple fix that any shop cab do in a couple of minutes.

cdurbin · Jul 30, 2012

I'll take a look at it. It just drives me nuts not having an E-brake.

stykthyn · Jul 30, 2012

The biggie is having your handle modded to accept the cables.

cdurbin · Jul 30, 2012

Well, after some research, I think I've got it figured out. I will need to modify the stock handle a bit and purchase 3 new cables. All in all it looks pretty simple and will cost about $150 for parts. Not bad.

stango69 · Aug 19, 2012

i have the same problem should i just pull the emer cable from the bottom like if i waz to getting out the car.or can u adjust the emer handle spring.

cdurbin · Aug 19, 2012

stango69 said:
i have the same problem should i just pull the emer cable from the bottom like if i waz to getting out the car.or can u adjust the emer handle spring.

You'll need 3 cables in order to hook it all up. They are M2809A (2x) and M2810A (1x). I got mine from latemodelresto.com

You'll also have to modify the stock e-brake handle. You will have to weld the handle in place on the second notch up and also cut the spring. I have a PDF file with the instructions from Ford. I'll upload it for you if I can find it.

cdurbin · Aug 19, 2012

Here's the link to the website. Scroll down and click the installation PDF. It's like 19Meg. look at I think page 17 or so.
Hope this helps.

http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=1791

jrichker · Aug 19, 2012

See http://www.mustangcentral.net/tech/brake.html for help with the emergency brake. The red words link to some very useful photos on how to modify the handle. The stock setup tends to lock up and not release properly.

cdurbin · Aug 20, 2012

jrichker said:
See http://www.mustangcentral.net/tech/brake.html for help with the emergency brake. The red words link to some very useful photos on how to modify the handle. The stock setup tends to lock up and not release properly.

Nice link. Very helpful.
I pulled the handle out of the car this evening so I can take it to get modified somewhere this week.
My 3 new cables should be here from LMR tomorrow. I'm planning to get it all hooked up this weekend.
Can you order the rubber dust boot that covers the cable as it leaves the car? Mine was toast before I even tried to remove it. Not sure of it's a big deal not to have one or not.

cdurbin · Aug 21, 2012

Took my E-brake handle to a muffler shop down the street from my office.
The guy hooked me up for $10.

Noobz347 · Aug 21, 2012

Question:

Is it possible and would it be simpler to install an E-brake handle from another vehicle?

cdurbin · Aug 21, 2012

Noobz347 said:
Question:

Is it possible and would it be simpler to install an E-brake handle from another vehicle?

I thought the same thing. I tried to do some research online and from what I can tell you would still have to modify it and the mounting holes wouldn't line up.
This way doesn't seem too bad so far. Fairly straight forward from this point. Apparently there is a need for it though. I saw a guy on Ebay last night that charges $60 for you to send your e-brake handle in and him to modify it. Geez, I feel bad for people who actually fall for that stuff.

Noobz347 · Aug 21, 2012

cdurbin said:
I thought the same thing. I tried to do some research online and from what I can tell you would still have to modify it and the mounting holes wouldn't line up.
This way doesn't seem too bad so far. Fairly straight forward from this point. Apparently there is a need for it though. I saw a guy on Ebay last night that charges $60 for you to send your e-brake handle in and him to modify it. Geez, I feel bad for people who actually fall for that stuff.

Well let us know how it works! i.e. does the button release still function, and how often does it require crawling under the car to adjust, etc.

cdurbin · Aug 21, 2012

Noobz347 said:
Well let us know how it works! i.e. does the button release still function, and how often does it require crawling under the car to adjust, etc.

From what I can tell while holding it in my hand, the release still works. After the initial install and the cables stretch a bit, most people are saying about once a year or so they have to adjust them. I'll post more once I get them installed this weekend.

Thanks

jrichker · Aug 21, 2012

I have a modified E-brake assembly, and yes the release button does work just as it did originally. The E-brake cable does need periodic adjustment, mostly to keep off the 3.5" FMS aluminum driveshaft I have. Once adjusted properly, you don't have to mess with it for a long time.

cdurbin · Aug 21, 2012

jrichker said:
I have a modified E-brake assembly, and yes the release button does work just as it did originally. The E-brake cable does need periodic adjustment, mostly to keep off the 3.5" FMS aluminum driveshaft I have. Once adjusted properly, you don't have to mess with it for a long time.

What year is your fox? Did you have to do any additional mods to mount the cables under the car?
I'm just wondering how big of a pain it's going to be for me to mount and route the 2 rear cables.

cdurbin · Aug 25, 2012

Well, I got all the cables installed and everything hooked up today. It really wasn't too bad at all. The hardest part was routing the cables through the frame. Even that wasn't that bad. The modified handle works perfect. The only thing that kind of irritated me was the cables. I spent $124 on cables and the chumps didn't include the e-clips for the 2 rear cables or the 2 nuts for the center cable. Anyway, one more thing on my "mustang to do list" is done. I had time to wash and wax her too. I'm ready to cruise over the a local car show tonight. I'm just watching for now.

cdurbin · Aug 27, 2012

I took some pictures during my install and made a rough diagram of the cable routing.
Attached is a JPEG image of the routing. Hopefully someone can get some use out of this. Being new at this myself, this would have come in handy. I also attached the diagram in PDF if anyone needs it.

Good luck

Mustang5L5 · Sep 17, 2013

That diagram is gold

Hooking Up E-brake After 5 Lug Conversion

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I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

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