63 Park Brake Idler Lever

[Jeff Z.]

Does the 63 parking brake idler lever 3819096 AIM 5/5 have a slight bend 3" from the end where it attaches to the frame? Also does the frame mounting bracket angle slightly upward to the floor board. Not sure if parts contacted a speed bump sometime during their life.

Thanks

Jeff

[Douglas C.]

Re: 63 Park Brake Idler Lever

Jeff,

I disassembled my chassis about 4 weeks ago and just checked my parts. Both pieces appear flat with no curvature. My car is a Dec. 62 convt.

Seems it woud take little effort to straighten your moutn bracket and arm, if needed.

Hope this helps.

--Doug

[Joel T.]

Re: 63 Park Brake Idler Lever

Does the 63 parking brake idler lever 3819096 AIM 5/5 have a slight bend 3" from the end where it attaches to the frame? Also does the frame mounting bracket angle slightly upward to the floor board. Not sure if parts contacted a speed bump sometime during their life.

Thanks

Jeff

Jeff; should be flat as I recall as well...

Joel

[Jon R.]

Re: 63 Park Brake Idler Lever

Interesting! My Mid May build has the same bend to it. Maybe my car hit the same speed bump? Seriously, there is no apparent damage that would have caused the bend. It also appears that it is necessary to align the cable properly on the far end.

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 Park Brake Idler Lever

My mid May 63 has a bend in it but it is obvious that the bottom of the car hit something.
The bracket that is welded to the frame is bent and I can't figure out how to straighten it out with out damaging the floor board.

[Jon R.]

Re: 63 Park Brake Idler Lever

Bob,

I will check mine more carefully this weekend, but I did not see any damage when I took a look earlier. Where exactly is the damage on yours?

Jon

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 Park Brake Idler Lever

The clip that is welded to the frame is obviously bent upward. The bolt that holds the lever to this bracket is all chewed up. The car must have jumped a curb at some time in its life.
I'd like to straighten this bracket out and correct the parts but the bracket is so close to the fiberglass floor boards that I can't use heat to bend it and its so close to the floor board that I can't fit any sort of tool in there to bend it back in place.

[Jon R.]

Re: 63 Park Brake Idler Lever

Bob,

I checked and my mounting bracket also has a slight bend upward (matching the lever) as well, but no damage to the bolt - but the bolt could have been replaced. The slight bend in the lever makes the whole assembly parallel to the bottom of the fiberglass floor board under the seat. I have contacted Syd G. (who also has a '63 same day as mine) to see what his looks like. Will keep you posted!

Are there any other '63 owners that can check their brake lever/mount?

Regards,

Jon

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 Park Brake Idler Lever

Jon,
Your description sounds very much like what I have. I'll try to get a picture and post it. Maybe you could do the same?

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 Park Brake Idler Lever

Emergency brake 002.jpgHere is a photo of my emergency brake set up. You can see the bolt on the bracket is damaged from gitting something.

[Jon R.]

Re: 63 Park Brake Idler Lever

Bob,

I have attached 2 photos. The first is a little fuzzy, but it shows how the lever is parallel to the fiberglass floor board and the second one shows the lever/bracket in greater detail with no damage.

Anyone else have a photo to show?

Jon

[Tom H.]

Re: 63 Park Brake Idler Lever

My January coupe has the bend in the lever.

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 Park Brake Idler Lever

Jon,
Maybe the bracket on my car isn't damaged. You bracket seems to be bent upward in a similar manner and the lever has a similar bend. The bolt holding the lever on my car has definately been hit by something though.

[Kenneth S.]

Re: 63 Park Brake Idler Lever

My April build '63 has a straight parking brake lever.
Ken

[Jeff Z.]

Re: 63 Park Brake Idler Lever

Guys not sure what to think. From the replies so far:

Dec 62 Straight (Cline)
Jan 63 Bent (Hendricks)
March 63 Straight (Talka)
April 63 Straight (Schurr)
April 63 Bent (Zsoldos)
May 63 Bent (Rubel)
May 63 Bent (Rosenblatt)

AIM UPC 5 sheet 5 doesn't offer any help since last change was on 5/22/63 and previous changes aren't captured in today's AIM (park brake handle assembly changed and is not listed).

Noland Adams page 73 and 176 does show Dec 62 cars with what appears to be straight levers. Originally I thought there was a running change but from the above responses I wonder if there was a dealer "adjustment" made via a Technical Service Bulletin. I didn't find anything in TSBs listed in the Judging guide.

Thanks

Jeff