How Do I Remove the Brake Cable on a Ford Ranger?

The Ford Ranger uses a front disc and rear drum braking system. The parking brake system pushes the rear brake shoes outward to contact the drums through a pedal and a series of cables, which activate the shoes. These cables can also activate the brakes in the event of a total failure of the hydraulic system; this is why they are sometimes called emergency brakes. The cables must be replaced when they do not operate freely.

Instructions

Front Brake Cable

1

Release the parking brake pedal completely. Jack up the Ranger, and support it with jack stands. From under the vehicle, grasp the center brake cable and pull down about 4 inches. Place the 5/32-inch drill bit into the cable through the brake control as a pin to hold the cable loose. Remove the left front inner fender apron.

2

Disconnect the front parking brake cable and conduit from the intermediate cable by pushing the cable into the slotted opening and sliding the ball end out. Remove the front brake cable from the brackets that hold it by loosening the bolts. Remove the two bolts holding the parking brake control (pedal) in place. Remove the parking brake control with the front brake cable and conduit attached.

3

Remove the front brake cable and conduit from the control by loosening the jam nut. Compress the front brake cable to the control clip, and remove the front cable and conduit from the brake control. Pull the cable and conduit free from the vehicle.

Rear Brake Cables

4

Remove both rear wheels and brake drums. Disconnect the intermediate brake cable from the left rear brake cable by compressing the cable into the intermediate connector and sliding it out through the opening. Separate the left and right rear brake cables at the cable equalizer. This is a piece of metal that holds both cables so that they apply equally.

5

Remove both left and right rear brake cables from the brackets and retainers holding them to the vehicle frame by loosening any bolts that hold the brackets. At the top of the axle, they are held directly to hydraulic brake lines by clips. Disconnect the parking brake cable from the parking brake lever at the rear wheel brake assembly, by compressing the cable end in and sliding it out from the lever.

6

Compress the retainer fingers on the rear brake cable conduits at each wheel, and slide the conduit and cable out from the rear brake backing plate. Both rear cables should be completely removed from the vehicle at this time. Remove the intermediate cable by loosening the bolts holding the brackets to the cable conduit, and removing the conduit and cable from the vehicle.