2003 F450 Parking Brake Pedal Assembly

[crashz]

Just wanted to get some thoughts here. Truck is a 2003 F450 2wd dump truck with diesel engine and 6 speed manual ZF transmission.

Recently my parking brake pedal assembly broke (common to all Superdutys from 99-2004ish), jamming the cable in the cam. Its not engaging the brake, so the truck is drive-able, but I like to have the brake as the truck has a manual transmission. The parking brake is the cable operated drum-in-disk style, so even when new it was weak and nearly useless. Miles and wear have made it worse, but better than nothing.

Found that the Ford part is no longer available for the assembly. I think there is a Dorman option, but I thought maybe I'd ask if the group here have seen anything better. Or something that works better like a line lock or something.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I thought the 450/550 had them on the back of the transmission? Or was that the F-SUPERDUTY?

The parking brake on my 2001 has held the truck (also a manual) on a decent hill with 10,000 pounds of trailer behind it.

 

[D60]

I recently went through this on an '04 F350. I recall initially over thinking the cable routing in the pedal assy, believing it somehow wraps around when it's more simple than that.

You're sharper than me (not necessarily saying much) but be sure you're understanding how the cable passes through the floor and engages the cam. Beyond that, I too dreaded shopping for a complete assy when I thought that was what I needed.

As for the functionality, be absolutely certain the cables are free through their entire travel. In my case one cable would move 90% but rust prevented the last 10% so it could really cinch down. I learned something there because generally around here (minimal rust) if a cable moves much at all, it's going to be free throughout its range of motion. That was NOT the case.

 

[Braapdaddy]

I frequent a Super Duty salvage yard and work on a few from 99 to the newest is a 2015

Not sure if it breaks down Into generations as I have not had to work on the assembly
But if it does it will divide like this

99 to 04
05 to 07
08 to 10
11 to ??

If you dont have a yard near let me know

Also get one out of a Auto truck that likely didnt get jammed hard every key stop

 

[Braapdaddy]

Also as a side note like D60 said the cables must move freely or you are losing a lot of motion

I have definitely replaced many many rear cables on them I always do left and right sides at the same time

450 of certian GVW if I remember also has the parking brake part that pivots ( i have had to use a Dorman) at the rear axle and those also can bend and wear and your loosing leverage and in turn a tendency to over jam the brake pedal wearing the whole system down The previous 87 to 98 F-Super Duty had the brake on the tail of trans ( on the ones I worked on )

I try to go Raybestos on the cables when time allows for delivery when they need it quick its Orielly Brake Best / Dorman

 

[crashz]

Thanks guys!

I'm in need of cables too I think. While it had good range of motion, I'm sure there is plenty of stretch and corrosion in them.

I need the truck tonight and this coming weekend, so I'm not going to tear into it yet, but I really want to get this operating again.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I frequent a Super Duty salvage yard and work on a few from 99 to the newest is a 2015

Not sure if it breaks down Into generations as I have not had to work on the assembly
But if it does it will divide like this

99 to 04
05 to 07
08 to 10
11 to ??

If you dont have a yard near let me know

Also get one out of a Auto truck that likely didnt get jammed hard every key stop

Superduty Salvage yard?

 

[Braapdaddy]

Yes a whole section of 250 thru 550 in a mainly Ford yard