Questions and Answers

Parking Brake Cables Q. Hello Vincent!! I had a question for you about servicing a parking brake on a 1989 Ford F150 2wd with a manual transmission. Is there a certain time frame or mileage that all the brake cables should be replaced or is it replace as necessary (broken cable, frayed or rusted, hanging up etc.).

The reason I was asking is that I like to maintain my vehicle to the factory specifications; but I can not find in my owners manual when they should be serviced, it only says to have them inspected (which I do every year with my state inspection) and replace when they are damaged or worn out. I would greatly appreciate your comments in this matter. Thank you!!!

Sincerely,
Chris

A. There is no set maintenance schedule for parking brake cables. It's replace as required. The major reason parking brake cables are replaced is because they freeze up in there housings. The best way to avoid this is to use the parking brake. 99% of all drivers with automatic transmissions put their cars in park and that's it, no parking brake.

Manual transmission owners generally stick the car in gear and leave it at that. Although most manual transmission owners use the parking brake as well.

So what it boils down to is: "Use it or lose it."