putting in a new rear end...??? E-brake coupler won't

Discussion in 'General Automotive Tech' started by bstout, Apr 1, 2010.

  1. bstout

    bstout New Member

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    Hi guys,
    So were working on the Silver Streak, putting in a 3.42 rear end. Almost everythings done...But I can't get the e-brake coupler(that connects the pedal to the rear cables) to come undone. Usually we just 'push' the 2 ends together and one moves and 'pops' out of the coupler.
    NOT this time!!! Can't get the darn(cleaned this up WAAAAAY too much) thing push into the open slot and disconnect itself. Tried about everything...!!! Any 'HINTS' out there???
    The car is the 83 Malibu and there is layers of undercoating, we cleaned most all we could get to off, heated it and cleaned some more. Put on some penetrant and we'll leave it overnight...And tackle it again in the AM. Cutting the cables isn't an option as I did that once before and we had to 'dig' up another...NOT GOOD.
    Any help from the G-Body boys would be appreciated!!:taz:
    Thanks,
    Bruce
     
  2. Ford Nut

    Ford Nut Well-Known Member

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    bstout
    I went through the same thing on the Fairlane, A real pain in the wazoo.
    I had to pry the slot opening a little wider to get the cable out.
    I just used a c clamp to close it up after the cable was back in.
    It works fine,
    Good luck, Rick
     
  3. silverfox

    silverfox New Member

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    Ford Nut's suggestion sounds like a plan!:yup:
     
  4. Ford Nut

    Ford Nut Well-Known Member

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    Silver Vulpes

    You have you have quite the way with words.:p
    Rick:rednose:
     
  5. bstout

    bstout New Member

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    I GOT IT !!!...I GOT IT !!! Finally...

    Well, we looked on the other G-Bodys and the 83's are the same, but the H/O hac a C-shaped holder. If you can get some slack in the cable...and clean the damn undercoating off...spray some lube on the back end(towards the rear end), have someone clamp the front (with vise grips) and hold all of that tight........You can slip in a mediun sized screwdriver blade and tap(easy here) and the cable will MAGICALLY move the end to the center and then un-engage(come apart). TOOOOO easy...2 and 1/2 hours later...(I had suggestions from removing the cable from the parking brake(inside), to just cut the thing and worry about it later...
    I needed something to drop on my foot to relieve the pure JOY !!!
    I hope this could help somepone else...
    It would only take me 2 minutes to do it again !!!And...
    Not even break a sweat!!!
    Thanks for the suggestions and thoughts...Kept me semi-sane...:banghead3:
    Later,
    Bruce
     
  6. HandyAndy

    HandyAndy Well-Known Member

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    You know, some :camera: would've been interesting since I have no idea :confused: how to visualize what you're dealing with. But I am quite interested.
     
  7. bstout

    bstout New Member

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    Hey Andy...I WILL

    Thanks...!!!
    And I will get some pics before I put it back together!!!
    I'm SOOO excited (like a girl on her first date-or the guy whose taking her)!!! Either way, 'It's all good!!!'.
    It was a BEAR, and nobody had any first hand knowledge...
    Execpt my 18 yr. old son(kind of), when he did his H/O.
    I didn't believe him at first, because the coupler looked crimped and like it was there for the long haul(28yrs). But I got some kick A$$ paint stripper(really nasty stuff, $9.99) a can and (don't get any of this stuff on you, IT BURNS and right now) but, 2 squirts and a little wire toothbrush and(cold water) and were good to go.
    A little squirt of Marvel Mystery oil, to lube it up and, we were moving on!!!
    I'll get several pics for anyone else...And my BOOK.
    This was a BIGGIE!!! Something I can't ever forget !!! :clap:
    Thanks, for the support...
    Bruce
     
  8. silverfox

    silverfox New Member

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    Yup....I have no clue...I'm a visual person and, for some reason, can't visualize what the problem was or your solution. Hope you can post up pix for others to see for future reference.
     

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