New Cables Too Long - What did I do wrong?

pthornton4 · Samba Member Joined: November 10, 2005 Posts: 16

Help! I can't figure out what I did wrong. I put new hand brake cables in my 1967 Ghia. After I adjusted the rear brakes, guided the wire through the guide tube, the under the pully part of the lever and up to the double bolts, I have to max out the threads just to get the brakes to catch, and even then it is not too good.

Am I missing something here that might have forgotten? the cables were about the same length as the old ones. I have the later model VW, so I should need the longer cable (as opposed to the pre 66 cables).

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Peter

smisk · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:40 pm Post subject:

Did your parking brake work normally before you replaced the cable? Did you replace the brake shoes?
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'66 Bug
'70 Ghia

pthornton4 · Samba Member Joined: November 10, 2005 Posts: 16

Yes, they did work, but they appeared to have stretched out quit a bit and had maxed out the length of the threads, even though there was plenty of brake pad left.

Ghiaddict · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:33 pm Post subject:

Are you certain you got the correct cables for
your model year (1967)? The length changed several
times during Ghia production.
For 1967: #113 609 721 L
1779mm or 70" length
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Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed.

pthornton4 · Samba Member Joined: November 10, 2005 Posts: 16

IE - where on the cable should I look for the part number?

Ghiaddict · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:52 am Post subject:

Probably no part number on the cable itself.
Maybe on the bag they were packed in?

It's a good practice to compare any cable length
new vs. original before installing the replacement.
That advice might not be good for you now, but
live and learn. d'oh!

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Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed.

Corwin · Samba Member Joined: March 29, 2007 Posts: 798

You bought the wrong cable? Wink

pthornton4 · Samba Member Joined: November 10, 2005 Posts: 16

I hope not. I special ordered the part from a long time VW parts place here in Down Town Raleigh NC. They are very good. Unfortunately, the cables came without packaging, so I had to take their word on the part number.

I compared lengths before I put the new ones on. They looked close, but it is hard to tell with all the crimps in the line.

Usually if it is a debate between the guy at the parts place that knows every VW part number by heart and the shade tree mechanic, it is usually the shade tree mechanics mistake.

I am going to order a new set on line and put them in. Lets see what happens. It is a pretty simple repair. I can't see where I messed up (especially too long).

Gary · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 6:44 am Post subject:

If you can get an accurate measurement of the pair that is too long you can at least sell them here and recoup part of your loss.
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West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943)

pthornton4 · Samba Member Joined: November 10, 2005 Posts: 16

You guys were right. I put in new cables today and low and behold, I now have a hand brake! I guess I need to make as stop at the parts store. Wish I still had that receipt.

Thanks for your help!

Peter

Ghiaddict · Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 6:05 pm Post subject:

No problemo!

Good to hear that you got it done
now and that everything is OK. Cool

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Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed.


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