66- E-brake handle/bracket removal

[Keith B.]

Friends: It all started with a burnt out e-brake light bulb, wheel off, column out, dash out, repaint, sent away am/fm for tuning, new correct speaker now the final item - e-brake handle blk bracket painting.

When my car was T.F.'s last fall at NW NCRS, I lost points for the black L bracket that houses the e-brake handle/shaft for being scratched/rusted. Now that the cluster is out, etc I want to take this e-brake black bracket off.

I disconnect the brn wire to the switch, started to turn the e-brake handle counterclock wise as it is threaded into the firewall housing but stoped when I realized I probably need to loosen the cable????? What is the correct procedure please.

Your assistance is again appreciated/ Keith # 47685

[Rich Puleo]

Re: 66- E-brake handle/bracket removal

You have to disconnect the forward cable from the rear cable under the car, sometimes you have to loosen up the jam nuts on the rear cable. Usually you can just pull the lever over & unhook the cable ball from the sloted hook. (This is aft of the transmission crossmember, under the driveshaft.) Once you have the cable unhooked, remove the hairpin clip from inside the engine compartment at the firewall. Unbolt the bracket from the firewall. Follow the bracket all the way back to the firewall, & behind the insulation you will find the hardware. Pull the brake handle out as far as you can as you would to apply the brake. Turn the handle as you would to release the brake, but hold it there, & you'll see the ball of the cable in the pocket of the shaft. Grab the cable with a hook tool or a needle nose & pull it from the pocket. Slide the cable through the end of the bracket & you're out. At that point, you can pull the stop out of the end of the shaft & pull the shaft/handle assembly out of the bracket so you can blast it. Pay attention to the orientation of the spring & ratchet plates at the handle side of the bracket. If you need some pics just let me know.
Rich

[Rich Puleo]

Re: 66- E-brake handle/bracket removal

You have to disconnect the forward cable from the rear cable under the car, sometimes you have to loosen up the jam nuts on the rear cable. Usually you can just pull the lever over & unhook the cable ball from the sloted hook. (This is aft of the transmission crossmember, under the driveshaft.) Once you have the cable unhooked, remove the hairpin clip from inside the engine compartment at the firewall. Unbolt the bracket from the firewall. Follow the bracket all the way back to the firewall, & behind the insulation you will find the hardware. Pull the brake handle out as far as you can as you would to apply the brake. Turn the handle as you would to release the brake, but hold it there, & you'll see the ball of the cable in the pocket of the shaft. Grab the cable with a hook tool or a needle nose & pull it from the pocket. Slide the cable through the end of the bracket & you're out. At that point, you can pull the stop out of the end of the shaft & pull the shaft/handle assembly out of the bracket so you can blast it. Pay attention to the orientation of the spring & ratchet plates at the handle side of the bracket. If you need some pics just let me know.
Rich