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68 Charger Emergency/Parking Brake Fix

gelpilot

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Dec 30, 2015
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Location
Broken Arrow, OK
I'm restoring a 68 Charger, non-RT, 383, automatic. Most of the stuff is proceeding well enough.

The emergency brake works, but it won't return to the 'off' position when you pull the handle. You have to put your foot under the pedal and pull the pedal back while you pull back on the release knob.

I've searched high and low for an absent spring, and can't find any pictures or documentation to point me in the right direction. I can't even figure out the engineering that is supposed to make the brake pedal return to its normal position. Below is a photo of the brake pedal assembly as it is right now.

Anyone have an idea what I'm missing or what I can do to get this brake to return properly when I pull the release handle?

Thanks,
George Lehmann
Broken Arrow, OK

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The spring to return the pedal is in the cable in the backing plate. If the cable is not tensioned properly it will not have enough tension to bring the pedal up fully when released. With the pedal in the full up position tighten the cable up at the splitter until it has a bit of tension on it but not enough to move the shoes.
 
The spring to return the pedal is in the cable in the backing plate. If the cable is not tensioned properly it will not have enough tension to bring the pedal up fully when released. With the pedal in the full up position tighten the cable up at the splitter until it has a bit of tension on it but not enough to move the shoes.

Well that's just too simple. :) Thanks for getting me on the right track.
Cheers,
George
 
You are missing the clip and screw that holds the top of the parking brake cable to the assembly. It has a square stand over it. You'll want to remove the cowl vent with the three push screw that hold it to the underside of the dash. You can get a good look at it then
 
I zoomed in on it the 7/16 head bolts Holds it on ad secures the top of the cable. Bet yours is gone

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I've gotten the brake to work about 95% better just by adjusting the tension on the cable. It works about 4 times out of 5 now, but occasionally I still have to nudge the pedal back to get it to the full return position. I think I'm going to have to give up and remove it for a complete disassembly/cleanup to get it moving properly.

Thanks to all who pointed me in the right directions. At least I now know I'm not missing any parts.
Cheers, George
 
You could have rust built up inside any of the casings where the cables run hindering the return tension. I replaced all the cables probably 30yrs ago with new from NAPA,still working great.
 
You could have rust built up inside any of the casings where the cables run hindering the return tension. I replaced all the cables probably 30yrs ago with new from NAPA,still working great.

Yeah, I thought about that as a possibility, too. As a temporary measure (I'm getting ready to send the car to my brother-in-law's body shop for six months for a total paint job) I may just squirt some WD40 or liquid lithium grease down the cable run. Good idea, thx.
George
 
Can't hurt and maybe cure it. Up north,they could have had frozen water in there also.
 
For anyone interested in a handbrake conversion, here is how I put a Jeep handbrake in my charger. I did it because my door bar floor mount made the foot e-brake not very possible. I used a solid rod back to the 2 cable connector. The handle assembly bolts to the doubled floor seat mount areas for a strong attachment.
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For anyone interested in a handbrake conversion, here is how I put a Jeep handbrake in my charger. I did it because my door bar floor mount made the foot e-brake not very possible. I used a solid rod back to the 2 cable connector. The handle assembly bolts to the doubled floor seat mount areas for a strong attachment. View attachment 387923 View attachment 387924 View attachment 387926 View attachment 387927
Any more pics ?
And what model and year for the jeep handbreak ?
 
Any more pics ?
And what model and year for the jeep handbreak ?
Sorry I have no idea what year that handle came out of. Maybe mid 80s? But I actually replaced that one with this better looking Lokar one. It is shorter than the jeep one and is harder to get stopping power when you pull it. I don't have any other pics of the jeep or the lokar handle that show any more than the ones I posted.

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Sorry I have no idea what year that handle came out of. Maybe mid 80s? But I actually replaced that one with this better looking Lokar one. It is shorter than the jeep one and is harder to get stopping power when you pull it. I don't have any other pics of the jeep or the lokar handle that show any more than the ones I posted.

View attachment 1106646
Thanks for you help ... I seen that lokar one before, seems a little overpriced for how simple it is .
I think I need to do a trip to the junkyard and find that old jeep handbreak , and then buy myself one of these too ..

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