just noticed today that my parking brake is so loose that it doesnt even apply any pressure to my brakes thus not doing a thing... how do i go about tightening that cable?

 

Try yanking on the cables,if you then get tension on the pedal,then one or all the cables need replaced,you can try spraying a penetrating oil on the cable and in the cable housing,but alot of times this dont work...

 

there is NO adjustment to the cables themselves also, if you are getting no tension on the rear brakes then your rear drums are probly not adjusted properlyor something in the rear drums is unhooked or broken or as was mentioned above one of the cables itself may be broken... so basically, check your rear brakes.

 

You may also try backing up and slamming on the brakes, as long as you self-adjusters are working, they will adjust the rear brakes. It sometimes takes 2-3 times, you will notice a difference in the pedal if the adjusters have moved. Not sure if that helps the parking brake out at all, but it's worth a try.

 

as far as i know.. the ranger isnt self-adjusting.
look at the spring thing on the driver side in front of the rear wheel.
check and see if its all there.

 

possibly on your '97, my truck has self adjusting rear brakes.

 

its the same axle and everything..
im just saying what i was told..

 

All Rangers are self-adjusting. They have a standard cable/pawl/star wheel system.

If you don't use your parking brake regularly, or back up a LOT, they don't adjust though. Using your parking brake regularly is the best thing you can do to keep them adjusted. But backing up and slamming them on works also.

But the Ranger's design is very subject to contamination. After I mud my truck I often have to go in and clean and re-lube the pieces. ONLY use silicone brake grease (called Sil-Glyde in on e brand) on the moving pieces particularly the threads of the adjuster.

You may need new parts if your old ones are too corroded. Rebuild kits are available cheaply at NAPA stores, to name one.

 

LOL all ranger drum brakes even 1986 are self adjusting daneil...

 

Jeff you ever have your rear drums off? my guess is everything is shot inside and possibly the cables also...

 

ill try backing up then slamming it on...

no i havent taken then off yet... i really should though because im pretty sure i need new shoes back there...

 

I will 100% bet your wheel cylinders are shot. the shoes look like crap and also the drums. probly needs a whole new rebuild kit. with the P-brake lines i will bet the main is snaped somewhere.

i highly highly doupt adjusting it by backing up will work in your situation....and its not backing up and slamming on it.. get a decent speed and you quick get on the brakes alot like pulsing is the best way...

 

mine makes a nice dull sqeak like its locked in good :-D and I dont even know about them rear brakes, lol