Is there a way to tighten the E-brake?

[88 Fox GT]

My e-brake is hooked up and working correctly, but when I pull it all the way, the cables move but the brakes don't grab at all. Is there a way to adjust it or are my cables probably stretched?

 

[Roland69]

pull your drums off and adjust the adjuster clip (wheel) in between the shoes. adjust is so the drums are just about touching the shoes and still spin freely. you will see what im talking about when you get the drums off.

 

[88 Fox GT]

pull your drums off and adjust the adjuster clip (wheel) in between the shoes. adjust is so the drums are just about touching the shoes and still spin freely. you will see what im talking about when you get the drums off.

Ah I can't believe I haven't thought of tightening the brakes themselves!
I have noticed that my brakes are pretty crappy. You're probably right. Thanks.

 

[Roland69]

I think I just told you how to adjust the rear brakes not the e-brakes (wasn't thinking really) the cable it self is adjustable

 

[88 Fox GT]

I think I just told you how to adjust the rear brakes not the e-brakes the cable it self is adjustable

I know. What I was thinking is that the brakes are so loose that the e-brake isn't even pulling them far enough to make enough contact with the drums.

If adjusting them doesn't work, how can I adjust the cable?

 

[Henceforward]

pull your drums off and adjust the adjuster clip (wheel) in between the shoes. adjust is so the drums are just about touching the shoes and still spin freely. you will see what im talking about when you get the drums off.

No, no, no... You don't have to remove the drum.

There is a small rubber seal that you remove on the inside of the axle assembly that you can pull off with your fingers.

You then take a screwdriver and turn the little notched dial.

Takes two minutes. Just tighten them a few clicks until they hold.

 

[Roland69]

I didn't know that thanks I guess I always did it the hard but sure way lol

 

[5.0tbirdguy]

NAPA used to sell an inline cable tightener. If your cable is stretched it will take up a couple inches of slack.

 

[88 Fox GT]

Well I tightened the rear brakes and it made my brakes a lot better. But, the e-brake still doensn't hold the brakes one bit.

 

[Roland69]

there should be an adjuster on the cable that takes slack out.

 

[88 Fox GT]

there should be an adjuster on the cable that takes slack out.

Anyone got a pic of it? I can't seem to find it.

The only thing I have seen is the teeth on the handle. They are adjusted all the way and the handle is pulling the cable as hard as it can, it appears.

 

[Roland69]

it's under the car probly where the center cable splits to go to both wheel's I think. That's where most are

 

[carbed 85 gt]

I believe the rear brakes are auto adjusting, they set when you apply the brakes in reverse. After doing a brake job you are supposed to go in reverse and make a couple of hard stops to get them to auto adjust. As far as the Ebrake I want to know too

 

[Roland69]

My 95 was like that

 

[Shakerhood]

there should be an adjuster on the cable that takes slack out.

I think 79-84 had the Adjuster Cable on it, later stangs dont unless you add the Ford Racing center cable yourself.

 

[Roland69]

Cool Thanks I have never had to do brake work on mine yet I was just going with what I have seen and worked on from other cars.

 

[dustin440]

My 88 has disc brakes but the cable adjustment should be the same. Under the car between the floor and the drive shaft there should be a bracket where the cables from the brakes meet the one from the brake leaver. One side takes a 1/2 socket I believe and the other side you will need a 5 or 6mm wrench. Just tighten it until they hold.

 

[Shakerhood]

My 88 has disc brakes but the cable adjustment should be the same. Under the car between the floor and the drive shaft there should be a bracket where the cables from the brakes meet the one from the brake leaver. One side takes a 1/2 socket I believe and the other side you will need a 5 or 6mm wrench. Just tighten it until they hold.

If your 88 had Discs out back then someone modded your center cable as they are not adjustable, there is a large spring coiled up in the handbrake handle and that is what applys pressure, as the cables stretch over time the handbrake just cant compensate for it. Best advice is to adjust the drums or change out the cables.

 

[91lxttrim]

I always thought that spring inside the handle was for the button at the end of the handle, just to put tension on the ratcheting handle teeth.

You can adjust it under the center console (Where the rear ashtray is). It's been a while but there should be two lock nuts on the threaded rod coming from the rear.

I used to rent a house with a steep driveway and always put the e-brake on and left it in 1st gear. One cold morning I wanted to warm the car up before i left and took it out of gear. I went into the house for a couple minutes and just as I was coming out it started to roll down the driveway! There was nothing I could do. I tried to run after it but there was no way to catch it. It brushed a tree at the end of my yard, went across the street and something turned the wheels right before it was about to hit my neighbor's Explorer. Instead it bumped the tree in his yard. Broke the mirror off and puckered the rear bumper cover. Could have been worse, but there's nothing worse than feeling so helpless as your pride and joy rolls away out of control!

From then on I parked face downhiill because the e-brake seems to grab way better forward.

I hope you're able to adjust yours and I'll look into the adjustments more but I think that was how I did mine.

 

[Shakerhood]

The Center Cable is One piece that hooks into the handbrake and the other side is under the car where it is attached to the Equalizer Bar, there is solid metal on both ends and it is not adjustable!