Parking Brake Handle Install - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tucsonjwt · 07-06-2018, 03:20 PM

Does anyone have any tips on replacing the parking brake handle? It is staked on the rod going to the parking brake assembly, and I am concerned that a replacement plastic handle will be broken if too much force is applied to attach it to the rod.

CSHADES · 07-09-2018, 09:14 AM

I haven't replaced one before but couldn't you heat the rod and then slide the plastic handle on?

**Wgesnerjr** · 07-10-2018, 06:02 AM

I put the new handle in the sun and got it good and hot. pushed it right on. you could also put the rod in the freezer. what ever you do, make sure he handle is straight before you push it on all the way.

tucsonjwt · 07-10-2018, 03:36 PM

Ok. I will try the sun trick - we have a lot of that here in the desert. Or, maybe a heat gun. The rod does have a very particular twist in it, so I will have to make sure that it is lined up correctly prior to installation. My old handle disintegrated like all plastic parts in the desert heat. Thanks.

mikentosh · 07-14-2018, 01:27 AM

All the replacement handles I’ve seen are threaded. In fact I just installed one on my new build a few days back. I took a #12-24 die to the rod to add some threads and it worked perfectly.

duallydude63 · 07-14-2018, 11:09 AM

what yr ??? i m parting out a 81 & would B more then happy to give U the whole parking brake handle jst pay for shippin & its yours!!

Pontiac1976 · 07-21-2018, 07:12 AM

A heat gun would work watch the heat do not use to much, slip it on do not to far.
To help with that mark the rod with masking tape how far the rod will go in so you do not push pass that point.
Then leave it till it cools give extra time before you try pulling the handle for the first time.

tucsonjwt · 07-21-2018, 10:34 AM

I got a replacement handle from Classic Parts yesterday and it is a threaded handle. So, I guess I will have to try to use a #12-24 die to cut threads on the rod as mikentosh suggested.

07-09-2018, 09:14 AM	#2
CSHADES Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: portage wi Posts: 506	Re: Parking Brake Handle Install I haven't replaced one before but couldn't you heat the rod and then slide the plastic handle on?

07-10-2018, 06:02 AM	#3
Wgesnerjr Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Atlanta, GA. Posts: 737	Re: Parking Brake Handle Install I put the new handle in the sun and got it good and hot. pushed it right on. you could also put the rod in the freezer. what ever you do, make sure he handle is straight before you push it on all the way. __________________ Jay Gesner Atlanta, GA 1985 C10 Long Bed 4X2 LS 5.3, 4L60E Father/Daughter Project

07-10-2018, 03:36 PM	#4
tucsonjwt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,189	Re: Parking Brake Handle Install Ok. I will try the sun trick - we have a lot of that here in the desert. Or, maybe a heat gun. The rod does have a very particular twist in it, so I will have to make sure that it is lined up correctly prior to installation. My old handle disintegrated like all plastic parts in the desert heat. Thanks.

07-14-2018, 01:27 AM	#5
mikentosh Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 406	Re: Parking Brake Handle Install All the replacement handles I’ve seen are threaded. In fact I just installed one on my new build a few days back. I took a #12-24 die to the rod to add some threads and it worked perfectly.

07-14-2018, 11:09 AM	#6
duallydude63 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: west valley city Ut Posts: 120	Re: Parking Brake Handle Install what yr ??? i m parting out a 81 & would B more then happy to give U the whole parking brake handle jst pay for shippin & its yours!!

07-06-2018, 03:20 PM	#1
tucsonjwt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,189	Parking Brake Handle Install Does anyone have any tips on replacing the parking brake handle? It is staked on the rod going to the parking brake assembly, and I am concerned that a replacement plastic handle will be broken if too much force is applied to attach it to the rod.

07-21-2018, 07:12 AM	#7
Pontiac1976 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 766	Re: Parking Brake Handle Install A heat gun would work watch the heat do not use to much, slip it on do not to far. To help with that mark the rod with masking tape how far the rod will go in so you do not push pass that point. Then leave it till it cools give extra time before you try pulling the handle for the first time. __________________ 1977 REG cab Long Bed with a 1984 Front Clip, 82 305 .60 over 9.0.1 flat top pistons, 4bbl, TH350, w/84 SS-intake & cam , w/ 1977 big block rad, 1975 gear box, 1984 master w/ metric fittings top & SAE fitting @ portion block, 1975 3.42 gear open diff. Duel 77-87 Factory air cleaner, duel inlet from rad support . Down sized 9' to new 8' Steel flat bed Was a 77 454 w/308 gear. Taken out 550 lbs. up front with motor clip change.

07-21-2018, 10:34 AM	#8
tucsonjwt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,189	Re: Parking Brake Handle Install I got a replacement handle from Classic Parts yesterday and it is a threaded handle. So, I guess I will have to try to use a #12-24 die to cut threads on the rod as mikentosh suggested.

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