EvstaG

Did the ZJ disc swap on my 89 XJ, and am in need of a solution for the parking brake cables. I already butchered my brand new stock cables trying the loop-and-clamp method. I am wondering if there is a part number out there that I can order two of to be a direct fit.

amorth

Not sure if this help or not but I just did this swap on my 2000 and used the drivers side cable that was on the ZJ and a passenger side cable off a 2000 ford explorer ( doesn't matter what model). It was an exact fit. Got it from rock auto for like $15.00.

Jbh97009

There is a super easy way to do it, featured in one of muscleheads builds.... But since you already butchered the cables, here ya go;
http://www.jeep4x4center.com/rough-t...52-dbc-05.html

Your welcome!!!

EvstaG

The 97+ XJ's use a different system, the problem is that all the write ups I got my hands on were dealing with the newer XJ's.

EvstaG

Seems like a dead link there JBH...

EvstaG

But I think I found the ones you're talking about. 52" is the correct length I am assuming?

Jbh97009

Yep, 52"..... That's really weird! A guy on another forum showed these a while back, and I was very happy to find them, they must have seriously just took them off their site because I looked at all this maybe 2-3 weeks ago.... I want to say it was a crown part, wish I would have saved the part numbers now

EvstaG

No, you just copied the abbreviated version of the link, so it didn't show up. It's still on their site haha. I have never been able to order anything with reasonable shipping off of Morris before, so we will have to see if this is still a cost effective solution after the shipping quote comes in.

Jbh97009

Well I've looked at it from that link before.... Strange. I haven't ordered anything from them so I'm not sure there. I was going to order some of these but I might see if I can do some hillbilly engineering like musclehead and a few other guys have done first.

EvstaG

Alright- I went and paid $100 for the Rough Trail conversion kit cables, installed them, and I still have no parking brake.

I will say that my angst regarding this issue stems from the fact that I have not had a properly functioning parking brake for the entire time I have driven my XJ, around 4 years, despite my best efforts.

My star adjusters are adjusted to what I think is properly (Wheel rotates about 1 revolution with a hearty spin) with brand new parking brake shoes. I adjusted the cable adjuster, and when I try to pull the lever, it is extremely stiff, and I can only pull it up around 3/4 of the way, although I can still spin the tire by hand. It seems like the spring coils are beginning to bind.

I already messed up my stock cables trying to cut the spring. Has anybody used these cables, and did they have success, or did you have to cut some of the spring on these as well?

PocketsEmpty

So with the Rough Trail kit, were you able to get them hooked up? Are you sure that the actuator levers are correctly oriented? (the two pieces that push the shoes against the inside of the rotor)

EvstaG

Yes, they are hooked up- now that you mention it, I am not sure that the levers are oriented correctly. I can tell you that I took them off of the backing plate for painting the backing plate, and just put them back in. I took the rotors off after reading your post, and you are correct that there is very little if any outward movement of the parking brake shoes when the lever is pulled. The levers are the correct direction, but I didn't realize that further orientation was needed.

Any insight as to how to get them lined up right? I thought something didn't look quite right when I put it all together a little while ago, but didn't think much of it.

I still think that the springs may be too long as well, because I can only pull the handbrake lever 3/4 of the way up, even with a bit of slack in the cable. Unless the actuator levers are binding on something prematurely due to their disorientation.

PocketsEmpty

Those little levers are a pain. Here are some photos I took when I did my ZJ conversion last year. I'm *pretty sure* this is the correct way...maybe somebody else can verify. I had a hard time finding this information on the 'net at the time.

EvstaG

That's very helpful, thanks! Basically, make the arms pretty well perpendicular, or up against/close to the pin?