Topic: emergency brake assembly for 1971-1973 mustang

[Jeff73Mach1]

Mine is no longer locking when i try to engage the brake.  as my car is a 4 speed this creates a bit of an issue at times.

I vaguely remember my 72 doing the same thing 20 years ago and I think I was able to fix it, but I can't remember how.

Are there any guides for either repair or is there a replacement assembly available?  I doubt it would be hard to make another year part work and the 1970 is available, but I don't want to rig it if I can possibly do it right.

Thanks again for any help

[Soaring]

Jeff, on my 65 there is an adjustment screw on the "Y" that is in the neighborhood of the transmission that has a nut you can turn to tighten up the cable.  If that doesn't fix it, then you may need to replace the shoes on the rear. 

[Jeff73Mach1]

this problem is with the pedal assembly it pops out after being engaged as if the ratchet inside is bad.

[Soaring]

Yeah, I had that problem too, so just replace the assembly all the way from the handle (foot pedal) to the "Y"  Mine is a pull handle, but basically the same principal.

[Jeff73Mach1]

My first car was a 72 Maverick with the pull handle and I still think that they are the coolest.

I can find the 1970 pedal assembly, but not the 71-73.  I guess i'll keep looking

[Soaring]

Check with CJ Pony Parts.  They have what looks like what you need on page 63 of their catalog. 
1-800-888-6473

[Jeff73Mach1]

I found one las night on ebay for a reasonable price.  I had looked online at CJ's but didn't see what I needed, but I did order their catalog.

[Soaring]

Glad you got her fixed.  These old dinosaurs require constant attention.  Kinda like a good woman, huh?   

[Jeff73Mach1]

Ran across this post and thought I might not have shared the rest of the story.

After looking at what it would take to swap the assemblies, I realized a lot of the dash is in the way and it would be a huge pain in the butt.

I was able, however, to slightly bend the release bar and the piece it slides through to remove some binding.  That and some compressed air made it work again.

Oh and I have a nice spare assembly now LOL

[Soaring]

In the South, we call that...well never mind.....but it is called politely as Southern Enginering.  But, if it works, it works.  

[Jeff73Mach1]

I suppose southern engineering is a polite term, but what I did was to correct the fact that the part had been previously bent and was binding.  A few minutes with some adjustable wrenches and returning the parts to their proper orientation is a repair I choose to call smart rather that "southern engineering."