Repop parking brake cable boots

[Jeff A.]

I need to replace the cable boots on my '66 parking brake. What I believe are the originals are heavily ribbed and accordion-like. The replacements from LIC and Paragon are totally different, yet Paragon states that they are "correct." Below are a couple of photos showing the originals on the cable as well as the replacement. To add to my confusion (which is increasingly easy as I get older), there's no way that the replacement boot will fit over the ball at the end of the cable or the spring on the cable (see the first photo - original boot on top; replacement in middle; ball and spring on bottom). The original boots appear to have been installed prior to soldering the ball onto the end of the cable. I tried heating the replacement boot and spraying it with silicone, but the only way I can figure to get the boot over the ball is to slit the narrow end. Any thoughts on how to install? Will the replacement pass judging?
Much thanks,
Jeff

[Terry M.]

Re: Repop parking brake cable boots

While I was Restorer Editor I published a story about parking brake cable rebuilding by Gary Beaupre. I think it focused on 1967, but it will, if someone can find when it was published, answer your questions.

Maybe someone else on the board will recall the details of the story.

[William C.]

Re: Repop parking brake cable boots

What you have on the car now is the service replacement from GM available over the last 10-15 years. The original boots look like the ones you need to install. The "restorer article Terry referenced is a good reference.

[Jeff A.]

Re: Repop parking brake cable boots

Bill, Terry
Thanks for the info! I searched the Restorer Article Index, but nothing jumps out at me as relating to the parking brake. Any help in locating the article would be appreciated. It would probably be useful for me to order the '66 CD of past Restorer issues anyway, but its not clear to me whether an article pertaining to a '67, as Terry recollects, would be included. If I have to, I'll spring for the more encompassing ($100 vs. $40) version of the CD. I suppose that in the grand scheme of a body-off, that's chump change anyway... . In the meantime, if anyone can suggest how I can induce labor to deliver the ball on the end of the cable without doing a C-section on the boot, I'd love to know.
Thanks,
Jeff

[James B.]

Re: Repop parking brake cable boots

Jeff,

If all else fails, one alternative is to contact the folks at www.inlinetube.com


Jim

[Alan S.]

Re: Repop parking brake cable boots

Jeff,
The Paragon Catalogue says the new boot can be "easily" installed on existing cables. I ended up cutting 1 ball off the cable, installing the boots and swagging on a new ball.
Regards,
Alan

PS: Yes, that shortened the cable about a half an inch, but didn't cause a problem on my 71.

[Brian K.]

Re: Repop parking brake cable boots

The article by Gary Beaupre is in the Fall of 2004 (volume 31 number 2) Corvette Restorer. He also say's the inlinetube repo rear cable is pretty good. P.S. the article does show and talk about the 66 cable.

[Chuck B.]

Re: Repop parking brake cable boots

Jeff, It is possible to work the new boot over the ball and spring. The boot is very tough and can be stretched enough to fit over the ball. The spring is more difficult to get started through the small end of the boot. I used the tapered cap from a ballpoint pen that was the right diameter in front of the spring to get it started through the boot. I used silicone grease to make things slide more easily. I probably spent over an hour getting the first boot on. The supposedly correct cable from Paragon did not come with the correct boots as advertised, the cable was stainless steel, and the armored sheath was not correct. My restored original cable received full credit at a recent regional meet, the repo would have taken a hit. Good luck, Chuck

[Gary S.]

Re: Repop parking brake cable boots

If you are interested in a whole new cable, maybe check with Bair's. They had a giant box of what appeared to be new E-brake cables with the smooth boot on them at the Florida meet. Did not study them. Maybe Bair's is making a correct one?

Gary

[Gary B.]

Repro parking brake cable boot

Jeff,

It's been a while since I wrote the article on parking brakes cables, but I recall that the same cable was used from 1965 thru at 1980 or 1982. In any case, I've been told the same thing that others have said, that the repro boots from Paragon can indeed be pulled over the ball and spring without tearing the boot. I've never done it myself, so I don't know how big of a challenge it really is. In my article, I suggested removing the ball at the end and reswaging a new ball, but I was never able to reswage a ball so that its integrity wasn't a concern, at least in my mind.

Regarding the cables sold by inlinetube, I believe their boots are detectable different from the boots on original cables. In the photo below (sent to me by someone whose name I have since forgotten), I think the inlinetube boot is at the top and the repro boot is at the bottom. I think the repro boot is much closer in configuration to the original boot. Having said all that, it's been several years since I've thought about the cable or boots, so hopefully someone will chime in if my memory is inaccurate. Correct NOS cables do come up on e-bay reasonably often, so if you want the real McCoy it can still be found and the price is typically under $150, so it's not that onerous.

Gary

[Warren S.]

Re: Repop parking brake cable boots

Jeff,
I feel certain if you were to heat the new boot in boiling water and using gloves to handle the hot boot it will slip on relatively easy. I have used this method with success on other similar projects.

Warren

[Jeff A.]

Re: Repop parking brake cable boots

Thanks to all of your suggestions, I did it using a combination of techniques recommended here. I ended up clamping the cable in a vise about two inches below the ball. I liberally greased the ball and placed the boot on the ball. I heated the boot with a heat gun (repeatedly, as I progressed). Once my fingers fatigued, I resorted to using a 7/16" deep socket to force (and I mean force!) the boot over the ball. It took about 10 minutes of coaxing, but once it cleared the ball, the boot went over the spring like a warm knife through butter.
I just want to note that I'm relatively new the TDB (I found the old format intimidating and was too shy to expose my nievety to all the NCRS experts), but you all made me feel welcome. I sincerely appreciate the thought and time that went into your responses. As I progress with the body-off on my '66, you can bet I will no longer be so shy. Thanks to all of you!
Cheers,
Jeff

[Bob B.]

Re: Repop parking brake cable boots

Jeff,

The boot you think is original looks what I have seen on original C2 cars. The large smooth boot is what is used on C1s as per the pre-resto pic from my 1960. I have not see these on C2s. You are wise to never trust the promises of parts suppliers.

Bob

[Jeff A.]

Re: Repop parking brake cable boots

Jeff,

The boot you think is original looks what I have seen on original C2 cars. The large smooth boot is what is used on C1s as per the pre-resto pic from my 1960. I have not see these on C2s. You are wise to never trust the promises of parts suppliers.

Bob

Bob,
Now you have me confused. What you're saying appears to be in conflict with some of the previous posts (ah, the beauty of the hobby...). Are there any 'survivors' out there who might want to chime in?
Thanks,
Jeff

[William C.]

Re: Repop parking brake cable boots

I've owned sever original unmolested '65-72 cars and all of the originals had the "smooth" boots on them. I never saw a ribbed one until one showed up at my chevy dealers parts counter in the late 80's. Never bought another one from there again. Bair's is doing a reproduction, and the ones at the Fla meet looked quite good, especially considered where they are located on the car when it is being judged!