Parking Brake Cable Question

Hello folks!

I was wondering if anybody could check something on their truck for me. Can't seem to find an answer anywhere. I had my drums off today, as my parking brakes were dragging/getting stuck. When inspecting the cable right where it enters the backing plate, I noticed the outer rubberized coating is separated (able to slide back and expose the inner steel cable) right at the point where it bolts on to the baking plate. It is the same on both sides.

Is this normal for these trucks, or is this potentially why I have issues in the winter (water/ice/salt can get in)?

I will try and post pics soon if this description confuses anybody. Thanks in advance for any input.

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Went and grabbed a pic:

When the parking brake is applied, it pulls pretty snug. When not applied, I can slide the outer section back about 1/2". Don't mind the grease... I put a little around the spot to try and prevent water from getting in.

 

The cable on the drivers side of my truck does that. (Its a combination of cracking/ tearing in the rubber and sliding like you said above) Passenger side does not. Ive been too lazy too look into what part numbers I need to replace, but Im pretty sure its not supposed to be that way.

 

Thanks for checking. Kinda sucks, I think it would be a whole cable replacement.

 

I had that same feeling. Im not really looking forward to it as Im sure it will be expensive.. But like I said Ive been lazy and just been running it for a while haha

Report back if you do end up replacing it, I'd be interested to grab a part number from you

 

I grabbed a few pics of mine.

 

Thanks for the pics! Does the cable appear to separate by the drum backing plate at all, or is it all one piece? Looks like yours is more firmly attached from what I can see in the pics with no gaps.

 

Mine looked the exact same as yours Both sides cracked, one side was seized so who knows how long the brakes were stuck on.

I replaced both cables and rebuilt the drum brakes. Took around 1 hour for each cable and another hour to rebuild the brakes. Then I broke a bleed screw, so that was another couple hours.

replacing the cable is pretty easy, one bolt that was on top of the frame is hard to get at, but not too difficult.

 

I don’t see any cracks, but it does seem as if it could crack in the same place as the picture above.
There is a distance “area” where it looks “weak”.
Mine almost looks like there is some type “sealant” , waxy or plastic stuff ,around the area where you see it cracked in the other pictures. As far as I know, no one has ever removed or worked on my cables.

 

It is. I did mine as both broke close to the back plate.

If you have a long bed, beware of Auto Zone, advanced Auto. Their parts listing is wrong for one of the cables. I don't remember which. The long bed cables have an orange band near the brake end of the cable.

 

Good info there. The DCLB would be longer.

 

Indeed. Their listing showed the same cable for every model.

Also, the duralast brand is complete crap compared to the raybestos I eventually found.