M185A3 Parking/Emergency Brake Issue...

[archmark]

Attached are pictures of the parking/emergency brake handle on my '66 M185A3. After reading prior posts on the forum, I'm thinking that this handle is the "early" style. What I'm not sure of is if there anything missing from it, like a cylindrical adjusting cover over the cable stem and bolt similar to the "late" style handles used to turn to adjust the brake tension or is this it? If this is in fact the complete assembly, do you simply adjust the nut until the brake holds or do I need to get under the truck and adjust the tension at the "drum"? Or should I just can this assembly and install one of the "late" style handles and cable, which appear to be a lot simpler?

Thanks...

Mark

 

[deuceman51]

Early style. I would see if you have anymore adjustment on the drum lever first.

 

[RAYZER]

Looks like your out of threads for adjustment.
Back off the nut on top and tighten up underneath, then fine tune from the top.
Personally I like the old style handle better.
Your handle assembly looks complete.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Looks like they posted your answers. Got any pics of the truck?

 

[doghead]

The old style handle is shown and adjustment explained well in, T M 9 - 2 3 2 0 - 2 0 9 - 2 0 - 3 - 2 , chapter 13

 

[Jeepsinker]

If you decide to $hitcan the old style handle you will have to replace the cable with the new style as well. I prefer the new style myself as it feels like it locks more positively and you can tell if it needs adjustment by the feel of it.

 

[archmark]

That's exactly what I thought that I'd do, IF it ever stops raining here. I'm kinda surprised that when the truck was rebuilt in '89 that Uncle Sucker didn't replace the old style assembly with the new assembly, as it seems that there is LOTS of the new style parts and pieces around but I've yet to see a NOS 'old style cable for sale. Of course, unless the cable actually broke, I can't see where there'd ever be a reason to replace it. Anyway, thanks for the info.

Looks like your out of threads for adjustment.
Back off the nut on top and tighten up underneath, then fine tune from the top.
Personally I like the old style handle better.
Your handle assembly looks complete.

 

[archmark]

Thanks for the direction to the correct TM doghead...

The old style handle is shown and adjustment explained well in, T M 9 - 2 3 2 0 - 2 0 9 - 2 0 - 3 - 2 , chapter 13

 

[doghead]

In general, trucks with old style box seats did not get updated to the new style parking brake lever.

 

[gimpyrobb]

I liked my "whale tail" parking brake lever on the M109 better than the new style parking handle in my m35. It isn't as easy to knock it off while getting in/out of the truck.