Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting To those that have done the parking brake TSB

How long did it take you to change all the cable and part included in the parking brake TSB (F6RZ-2A635-AA)?

It that a job for Mr. Shadetree?

Also, will F6RZ-2A635-AA work on a 98 V6 MTX with rear discs? I did search, but I just want to make sure...

May I ask what this TSB includes??
My parking brake doesn't hold like it should and I have read that you can not adjust it.!

Thanks
Jason

I'm not sure but it may be TSB 98-5A-17. This refers to the parking brake sticking or binding or not releasing properly. Check out All Data for a complete listing of recalls and TSB's.

Guilty2:
Suggest you yank brake lever up for 7 clicks a couple of times and see if that helps.

TheJoeGuy:
You are quoting a part number, not a TSB number. If it is the modified cables (with improved end seals) plus springs then it should fit, but it is really a hoist job since heat shield has to be removed and exhaust dropped to gain access. Inside, console has to be removed.

Yep you're right. I wasn't clear.

Hmmm, Maybe I'll try lubing up the existing cables, before a try a replacement.

I am doing it for a second time. I bought it from Bill in Vegas. Yes, easy, I will do it on ramps. The tricky part is the emergency brake handle reinstallation.

If you're going to take the time to lube the cables, you might as well throw some new ones on.

It took about 1hr, including putzing around and messing up and having to reroute one side.

There is a part # for the TSB kit. I paid about $40 for the parts at a local ford dealership because my rear brakes had been stuck on for about a week.

Also, you need a "ring" wrench to remove the cable housing from the bracket under the exhaust heat shield. I didn't have any special tool, so I used a regular box wrench and some effort and swearing to get it out.

Are you sure ?? It seems you have to remove the console if you are replacing the cable that connects to the handbrake lever. But, if you are only replacing the two cables that connect to the rear wheels, I don't think you need to. That's just by looking at the Haynes manual, not by geting under the car.

The MarkO Guy

Haynes manual pg 9-17 is a little misleading, there are also omissions re cable adjustment at lever.
Basically you have to make slack in a system suffering from no slack (therefore rear brakes drag) to separate and re-install rear cables at equalizer.

Yeah, it's a bigger pain in the ass than it sounds like. Indeed, without the proper previous planning, we disconnected my cables at the calipers and I drove without a parking brake at all for a good month or so. My car's an ATX, so I just was careful about parking on level surfaces, and there was a certain novelty to pulling the handbrake on the highway, but reinstalling the stuff wasn't easy and now my parking brake only really grabs if you pull the handle to the VERY top. My wife's '96 Contour cinches tight with 4 clicks. But the most important thing is that my rear calipers won't drag anymore.

Anyway, the problem areas are dropping the heat shields, pulling the console, getting the handbrake mech to release tension (if there's an easy way to do it we couldn't find it), and then re-tensioning the mechanism. Also, we found out that the replacement cables are being discontinued. Just FYI.