I am thinking about purchasing a 2005 Ranger with a broken Parking Brake Release Handle. The Parking Brake can still be released - with some difficulty - so it is drivable now.

From reading other posts (not specific to the Ranger) it will be necessary to replace the "Parking Brake Control Assembly." Some other posts also indicated that this would require drilling out some rivets which hold the assembly in.

One final question - does the cable come attached to the assembly or is it connected at the assembly?

Hopefully someone out there has actually performed this job.

Thanks for any information and/or advice.

DP

 

The whole assembly does come off (3 8mm bolts IIRC), but you must drill out rivets if you want to replace the cable. I had the same issue, but never got around to drilling the rivets, only removed the assembly from the JY.

What makes you think you need to replace the in cab unit? I thought I ahd to but it turned out to be rusted brake lines that were not allowing the cable to return.

 

Buckgnarly,

Thanks for the prompt reply. I still have not seen the broken part but it was described as a broken release handle. I would definitely prefer not drilling out the rivets, however, I noticed a thread on another Ford forum (not specific to the Ranger) that suggested that this was necessary. I understand that you cannot just replace the handle – that you need to replace the entire Parking Brake Control Assembly as a unit – if this can be done, I would much prefer it.

I understand that the unit comes from FORD with the spring wound and held with some retaining clip until the cable is attached. I would appreciate any suggestions or advice on installing the Parking Brake Control Assembly. Not sure how the parking brake cable attaches to the assembly itself. Is this an easy connection?

Again – any advice suggestions or procedures descriptions would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
DRP

 

I know this is an old post, but others who read this may be interested in the answer. The parking brake release handle can be replaced without replacing the inside parking brake assembly. I replaced mine for $ 24.99 on Ebay. Just search for, “parking brake release handle replacement” on Ebay. It installed really easy and took about 30 seconds. Works great and you don't have to remove or install the inside parking brake assembly.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-RANGER...6c2aa56395e829

 

I ordered this from ebay and it worked great.