Hey guys, trying to adjust my 1980 parking brake cable and I'm not sure if the cable is too stretched or what. When I tighten the adjusting nut, the cable spins but the nut doesn't pull the "bolt" up. It's taking 12 clicks to stop the rear drums. Any suggestions? I did adjust the shoes.
Thanks

 

If I recall correctly, the cable's not supposed to 'spin' when you turn the adjusting nut - - the nut spins on the threaded part of the cable head to draw it up tighter. If they both turn, nothing's getting tightened. Been a while since I looked at it, though, so don't take that as gospel without looking at it critically yourself.

Having the shoes properly adjusted has usually been the key to getting the parking brake to set up properly, for me. Temptation is to back them off too far from the 'drum stopped' position, requiring more travel to engage them. You want them to JUST be outside the 'still rubbing' setting envelope, and make sure you step on the brake pedal between adjustments to recenter the shoes after each adjustment.

 

Simple. There is hex part between the threaded rod and the strand cable. Use a 10mm wrench to hold it in place while youre adjusting the long nut

 

OK, I looked in there with a flashlight and wasn't obvious that there was a hex head there. I'll try tonight
Thanks

 

There should also be a little spring type nut locker there.

 

OK, I just realized I'm out of adjustment capability. I think I need to finish bleeding the brakes, adjust them, then re-adjust the parking brake.

 

Yep, & back off the adjuster before you adjust the brakes.

 

I adjust those shoes so they lightly drag on both front and back shoes equally. Takes some
finessing but once you do the brakes will feel 100% better and the parking brake should work
a lot better.

You have to keep up on the rear drum adjustment as it will wear and you will notice it affecting
the braking somewhat.