My Willys 3A and 3B Community

3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: jeffbo1 on October 16, 2012, 08:17:39 PM

Title: E-brake cable length question
Post by: jeffbo1 on October 16, 2012, 08:17:39 PM
My 3a e-brake cable seems to be too long...when i pull the e-brake handle i have to pull it all the way out to the last stop before the brake will engage and even then it is seems to be just engaging the brake....I can lock up the rear end if i pull the handle beyond the stop so i know the brake works well, i just seem to have a cable that is a wee bit too long....is there a shorter cable out there or do i just have something not adjusted correctly? the cable i have has no provision for adjusting the pull length...any thoughts? Thanks!
Title: Re: E-brake cable length question
Post by: rocketeer on October 16, 2012, 09:06:44 PM
They all have an adjustment, it's down at the ebrake. First you have to adjust the shoes for proper clearance then you adjust the end of the cable by screwing it into the clevis fork.

(http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab191/rocketeer_2010/Jeep/ebrake_adj2.jpg)

(http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab191/rocketeer_2010/Jeep/pbrake1a.jpg)

You can see the threaded and of the cable.

(http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab191/rocketeer_2010/Jeep/000_0003-20.jpg)

Larry
Title: Re: E-brake cable length question
Post by: jeffbo1 on October 16, 2012, 10:46:35 PM
many thanks for a great article. i think either my e-brake shoes are loose or the lock nut on the cable has backed off or both...will check it all out...many thanks again!
Title: Re: E-brake cable length question
Post by: Carls_jeep on October 16, 2012, 11:17:36 PM
If you have both ends of the cable housing anchored where they are supposed to be then you can adjust the brakes. You have to start by adjusting the brake shoes in the drum. Then you adjust the clevis so that you have about three clicks until the brakes lock up.

To adjust the brake shoes you have to adjust each star wheel to set the shoe clearance from the drum. Read the instructions rocketeer posted several times to get a grasp on the procedure. There is only one cable length.
Title: Re: E-brake cable length question
Post by: jeffbo1 on October 16, 2012, 11:29:29 PM
I just came in from adjusting the brake shoes by rotating the adjusting stars...this helped greatly...unfortunately the cable that i have on the jeep does not have the adjustable threaded rod and nut to the clevis...just a simple non adjustable ring on the end of the cable that is pinned to the brake arm...the good news is that with the shoes properly adjusted, the brake handle now only comes out about half way or say one tooth more than that before the brake is locked,,,so i am happy with it....ill just have to get a proper cable one day to make it perfect...
Title: Re: E-brake cable length question
Post by: rocketeer on October 17, 2012, 08:00:00 AM
Somebody installed the wrong cable.

Larry
Title: Re: E-brake cable length question
Post by: jeffbo1 on October 17, 2012, 11:42:55 AM
Somebody did..... :-[
Title: Re: E-brake cable length question
Post by: Quebec Jeep on October 18, 2012, 08:43:36 AM
Somebody...I know his name! BUBBA!!!! ;D
Title: Re: E-brake cable length question
Post by: jeffbo1 on October 18, 2012, 08:56:30 PM
HAHA Cables are cheap and for now it works ok ::)