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Post by baseshakers on Nov 15, 2005 15:35:09 GMT -5
how hard is this? the dealership wants to charge me $400! can i do it myself? the part is only $60, so i would be saving a lot of $$$
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Post by Jon W on Nov 15, 2005 17:38:21 GMT -5
I just replaced one of the e-brake cables on my XJ's drum brakes last month after crunching it on a rock (and doing some bad things to the drum brake it was attached to, but that is another story).
The cable was $20 at Napa, but they had to order it. I'd suggest checking a parts store like Napa - they have stuff like that and it is usually cheaper than the dealer.
If it is a Jeep w/ rear drum brakes you can do it in a few hours, if you have the tools (you don't really need anything special). If nothing else, you could probably find a local garage to do it for a lot less than $400, and they may let you bring your own cable.
Which cable is it?
There are usually 3 sections of cable: 1 from brake lever in the cab to a "splitter/adjuster" under the body (look underneath behind the transfer case, in front of the gas tank) and 2 cables from the "splitter/adjuster" assembly to the left/right brakes.
If the cable is the one that goes from the "splitter/adjuster" to one of the drum brakes you're going to have to take the wheel off and take apart the drum brake assembly to attach the cable.
Also, there are a couple of tricks to getting the cables to disconnect easily. There are these 3-prong retainers they use to hold the cable housing which are a PITA... Use a metal hose-clamp to compress the 3 retainers they use to hold the cable in place so you can back it out. Don't be afraid to cut the old cable to get it out (unless you want to hang it on your wall for posterity).
I was able to install the new cable without having to adjust the tensioning bolt (which was good, because it was probably rusted solid)... Depends on how tight your cables are.
Oh, and be careful how you route the replacement cable so that it won't hang down and get snagged.
JW
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Post by baseshakers on Nov 15, 2005 17:55:01 GMT -5
i just picked it up from the dealer and took a look underneath. when i moved the e-brake, both springs compressed, so it looks as though the cable is functioning. i do think that the plastic wrapping around the cable looks in bad shape, but it may be ok. the cable in question goes from the splitter to the driver side brake assembly. since it looks as though it is holding, maybe i can get someone to take a look at it this saturday. regular brakes function fine, and the passenger side e-brake will work in an emergency (even though the driver side does look to be functioning) so hopefully i am ok for now, and maybe i can just replace the cable later. thanks for the reply jon.
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Post by ZAEDOCK on Nov 15, 2005 19:56:35 GMT -5
It probably takes longer to get your tools out and Jeep jacked up than it does to swap the cable (I used to work in the brake dept. though). I would say an hour or less.
The dealership cable is probably much more $$$ than the Napa replacement and they're going to flat rate you for at least 2 hours.
Swapping the cable is pretty easy : After removing the drum, take off the rear shoe retaining spring and slide the shoe separator out so you can move the assembly around easier. Use the hose clamp method, or needle nose pliars (the hose clamp method is slower) to remove the old cable. Install the new cable. To ease adjustment where the two rear cables meet the one that goes to the ebrake pedal, use some heat(MAP or even propane will work). It will free up the bolt and it will move easily.
Anyway, it's not hard and you'll figure it out. Good luck.
-Joe
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Post by ddewar53 on Nov 16, 2005 6:32:47 GMT -5
IIRC, this is on a LJ that's, like, brand new, right? I don't think it's had time to rust yet
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Post by baseshakers on Nov 16, 2005 7:35:02 GMT -5
just hit 10k miles on the ride in this morning, less then 6 months old. should be cake from a "parts rusted solid" standpoint that so many of you have to worry about!
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Post by Jon W on Nov 16, 2005 12:46:04 GMT -5
No problem...  I agree with Joe - the most time consuming part of the exerscise is taking apart the drum brake and putting them back together. I hate those friggn' spring retainers they use to hold on the brake shoes! When I did it on my XJ I was replacing all the brake hardware and shoes, so I had to take it all apart anyway, and I had broken/bent drum brake bits to find/remove/replace. I also discovered that I had bent the backing plate when I tried to reassemble everything and had to order a new one from the dealer ($100 - dealer only item)... That is why it is important to route the new cable so it won't snag... wrecking a $20 cable cost me $150+ in parts. JW |
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Post by ddewar53 on Nov 18, 2005 8:15:55 GMT -5
I love my 8.8 rear axle with disc brakes :-)
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Post by Kevin W. on Nov 18, 2005 21:33:56 GMT -5
E-Brake Cable... You don't need no stinken E-Brake cable....  KEV |
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