Few Mustang subjects are duller than parking brakes. Also called emergency brakes or "e-brakes," they were designed to keep a Mustang secure when parked. The parking brake is also supposed to stop the car if the hydraulic brake system fails. Count on reduced stopping distances and loss of control if that's the only choice.
Right off the assembly line, '65-'68 Mustang parking brakes offered marginal safety. Dash-mounted hand brakes have never been effective, even under the best of circumstances. They aren't as useful as between-the-seat hand brakes either, due to mechanical advantage. To be valuable at all, a dash-mounted hand brake must be in the best possible operational condition. The '69-'73 foot parking brake is more effective, thanks to the leverage and the strength in the left leg.
Early Mustang parking brakes consist of a ratcheting handle and a shaft, a detent, a pulley, and a series of cables connected to the rear brakes.
This is your basic '65-'66...
This is your basic '65-'66 Mustang parking-brake system. Although both model years look the same, they are different, with the '66 having fewer parts. For the '66, there's a single cable joining both rear brakes. Cable anchor points are also different.
Although the '65 and '66 models are basically the same, the amount of hardware and number of cables were reduced to save per-vehicle cost and ease assembly for the '66. Instead of two rear-brake cables, there's one continuous cable joining both rear brakes. For the '67-'68 models, Ford returned to a system using two rear-brake cables joined by a union.
Mustang parking brakes improved in 1969 when Ford switched to a foot-operated system. In 1974, the hand brake was mounted between the bucket seats, a system still used today, although the design has varied from generation to generation. The '74-'78 Mustang IIs use the Pinto's hand brake. The '79-'04 hand brake remained essentially the same during 25 years of production. As can be imagined, the '05-'07 Mustang's hand brake performs the same function but is different by design.
While the '65-'68 Mustangs look great, it's unrealistic to believe the parking brakes will hold the car on a hill, which is why it must be parked carefully, with tires pointed toward the curb. As a rule, Mustang parking brakes don't hold when the car is facing uphill; they hold best when it is pointed downhill.
From '65-'68, Mustang hand...
From '65-'68, Mustang hand brakes were basically the same with the exception of the handle. They all consisted of a toothed shaft, a ratchet assembly (detent), pulley, cable, retaining pins, a housing that attaches to the firewall and dashboard, and a molded-plastic, metal-reinforced handle.
Replacement and MaintenanceAlthough parking-brake cables are made of corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel, they can still suffer from rust, dirt, and the absence of lubrication. That's why we suggest complete cable replacement and fresh lubrication to get them working properly again. To accomplish this, Mustangs Plus offers plastic-coated cables and genuine Scott Drake parts.
The key to proper parking brake operation is clean, well-lubricated, properly-installed parts. When you do a brake job, check the system for proper operation; clean and lubricate as necessary.
We called Bill Faull at Mustangs...
We called Bill Faull at Mustangs Plus to order everything needed to get our '66 Mustang back into some semblance of proper e-brake operation. Bill sent us the body cables, adjustment stud, return spring, parking-brake short cable, and all of the hardware necessary for installation. Garrett Marks at Mustangs, Etc. set us up with the used parts we needed.
With the short parking-brake...
With the short parking-brake cable out, we're ready to perform the cable swap. If your cable has expired, remove this retaining clip, which is at the bottom. If it's in good operating condition, we suggest a thorough cleanup with WD-40 and white grease. WD-40 offers corrosion protection and thins the white grease, which provides lubrication.
At the top of the cable, all...
At the top of the cable, all you have to do is pry the legs apart to release. Don't lose the wave washer, as it prevents endplay.
The new cable from Mustangs...
The new cable from Mustangs Plus is unidirectional, which is a fancy term meaning it can be installed either way. Install the wave washer first.
This is the top of the cable...
This is the top of the cable at the driver's floorpan. Install the bracket as shown, seat it, and crimp tight.
The bottom bracket is retained...
The bottom bracket is retained with this clip by AMK Products, available at Mustangs, Etc.
These sheetmetal screws are...
These sheetmetal screws are included in the AMK Products' Chassis Hardware Kit. The high-carbon steel screws have been acid- washed for corrosion protection.
We're ready to install the...
We're ready to install the handle mechanism at the driver-side floorpan. Use a 31/48-inch fuel or transmission cooler hose to bridge the gap between bracket and floorpan. If that's not appealing, consider a 71/416-inch vacuum hose. Seal around the hose at the floorpan with 3M's Strip-Caulk.
Underneath, the short parking-brake...
Underneath, the short parking-brake cable attaches at the transmission crossmember. Use the AMK screws for best results.
This is the parking-brake...
This is the parking-brake lever at the transmission crossmember. It joins the short and long cables and offers mechanical advantage.
With short and long cables...
With short and long cables installed at the lever, we're ready to install the hand brake. The spring releases the parking brake.
Long cables run through this...
Long cables run through this adjustment "U," and the rod attaches to the lever. These are found in '65 Mustangs.
We're ready for hand brake...
We're ready for hand brake installation in the passenger compartment. When you slowly pull out the handle, this end slides into the assembly, making it impossible to come out.
The short cable rides on this...
The short cable rides on this pulley.
Give the pulley a generous...
Give the pulley a generous coating of chassis grease and lay it into the groove for smooth operation. Install the cotter pin.
Ford used a tension pin for...
Ford used a tension pin for alignment and security. You can use virtually any steel pin if a tension pin can't be found. Apply white grease to the shaft.
The parking-brake assembly...
The parking-brake assembly attaches to the firewall and dashboard. Fine-thread studs penetrate the firewall above the driver's feet.
Body cables attach in the...
Body cables attach in the transmission tunnel like this. Originally, they were attached with clips. Cables from Mustangs Plus pop into place as they do at the rear brakes.
If your Mustang has rear drum...
If your Mustang has rear drum brakes, the cables pop into the backing plates.
Once in there, they're hard...
Once in there, they're hard to remove.
With rear disc brakes, parking-brake...
With rear disc brakes, parking-brake cable installation becomes more challenging. Route your cables on both sides, as shown here.