ebrake cable issues

[blind34_1]

okay i am (finally) nearing completion of my rear brake swap on the civic (90 si). everything is installed and ready to go, but i ran into a problem today while running/hooking up the ebrake cables.

I'm told when doing a rear disc swap on a fourth gen civic you must use the cables from a 90-93 integra, so thats what i'm using.
but when i attached them to the ebrake lever (the threaded rod with that big spring) it doesn't seem like they do much when i set the brake. the calipers will slightly engage, because when i go to spin the wheel by hand it scrapes a little, but not enough to hold the car.

I know the cable is pulling, because the little accordian boot (caliper end) will flex as I set and release the brake, but it just doesn't seem like enough.

by tightening down that weird long nut with the fisheyed end on the long threaded rod, it seems to help a little bit, but eventually i get to the point where the spring is completly compressed and it becomes super hard to operate the lever, so I know thats not the answer.

its still on jack stands, and i have no brake fluid in the system at all, but that shouldn't matter should it?, because the ebrake system is all mechanical, not hydraulic.

I'm stumped guys, any suggestions?

[95DX]

brake fluid will have no effect on the parking brake what you may need to do is maybe shorten the threaded section if its long enough to do it but Im not positive that would work

[pdiggitydogg]

maybe the cables are just old and stretched out too far?

I dont know, for sure, what cables youre supposed to use...so I'll take youre word that its da parts (which Ive heard for the actual ta's)

[blind34_1]

i suppose it is possible that the cables are stretched, i got these from a junkyard in PA, so who knows?

Any suggestions on shortening them up, or should I just get new ones?

[pdiggitydogg]

When I did my rear change-over I bought all new parts (minus the actual arms and calipers) just for that reason

[blind34_1]

aside from those cables everything i've installed thus far is either new or remaned. typical the one thing that IS bad is the one thing I don't replace...

oh well, I know the ass end of my car intimitly well now, so It shouldn't be too big of a deal.

[blind34_1]

holy cow, price for ONE of the cables is freaking $37 from partsbin. Any suggestions on where to get it cheaper?

[pdiggitydogg]

hey Id call that a bargin!
I paid something like $50 per side for mine, meant for a 99-00 si

maybe try advanceautoparts.com they usually have strange items available at ok prices

(but I seriously wouldnt flinch at $40/side)

[blind34_1]

just seems kinda high for such a simple part...caught me off guard.

yeah, after looking around, i guess that is the going rate. well, here's another 80 bucks on parts. I'm starting to realize why so many people give up on car projects halfway through; they eat more money than you expect! It's all good though, I ain't close to giving up yet.

Thanks for the help/advice. Off to Advance i go...