Adjusting parking brake cable 1942 Mercury Sedan

[signsup]

Been readding what I can about the process and understand the basics, very similar to military trailer hand brakes with cable and yoke. But when I climb under my 42 Mercury, I'm lost as to the actual procedure. My handle in the car rachets all the way and the brakes do not grab, under the car some play in the cable hanging down. So time to tighten up the cable.
But the cable from the dash with the threaded rod on the end needs to have the jam lock nut loosened and the yoke tightened up.
If I pull the cotter pin and the clevis pin on the yoke to release the rear cable so I can turn the yoke to tighten, how do I get the cable back into the yoke and insert the clevis and cotter pin?
On the trailers, the cable at the rear has rings and clivis pins into exterior arms on the brake backing plate that actuate the shoes. But my Mercury cables go into the brake drums from the backing plate and do not release unless I get inside the brake drums.


Just need a nudge in the right direction to tighten up that yoke.


I'll hang up and listen. Thanks in advance.

[TomC750]

I had the same problem on my '41 not long ago. After scratching my head for a bit I used a ratchet strap on the yoke and the other end of the strap on a frame member.

[signsup]

Sorry, I'm not picturing this. Rachet strap on the yoke and pulling it backwards towards the rear of the car to get the rear cable in place? Or rachet strap to the rear cable pullit it forward? Wouldn't the later set the brake shoes?

[cadillac512]

You do just like you said. Make sure the brake handle is fully released. Pull the cotter and the pin, loosen locknut, turn the yoke a few turns, pull cables forward to reinsert pin in yoke. If you adjusted too far the pin won't fit and you'll have to back off a bit. Tighten locknut,install cotter and done. Pulling cables forward (thus actuating the brake) to install the pin is the trick. If the brakes don't drag with the handle released all is well.

[signsup]

TO THE DRIVEWAY!! Threads have been soaking in PB Blaster for a few days, so, hopefully, I won't have my usual luck and snap off the threaded rod at the end of the forward cable.

Question...if I put pressure on the brake pedal and actuallly engage the shoes, will that release the pressure on the rear cable and allows me to manhandle the cable onto the yoke and pin? Or is pedal and cylinder pressure not going to affect cable pressure?

[cadillac512]

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It won't affect it to any great extent, but maybe enough to help.

[TomC750]

Originally Posted by signsup

Sorry, I'm not picturing this. Rachet strap on the yoke and pulling it backwards towards the rear of the car to get the rear cable in place? Or rachet strap to the rear cable pullit it forward? Wouldn't the later set the brake shoes?

Internet was down, so I did not see your post. Yes, pull yoke forward. After it is hooked up things should relax enough that brakes won't drag.