Parking Brake Cable

Replace the parking brake cable assembly on a 2005 Dodge Viper, including rear cable removal, equalizer adjustment, and proper tension verification.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Parking brake cable assembly (left) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Parking brake cable assembly (right) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Cable retaining clips (if damaged) × 4 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake partially (1-2 clicks only to reduce cable tension).
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels.
3. Raise rear of vehicle using floor jack at designated rear lift point.
4. Support vehicle securely on jack stands positioned at rear frame rails.
5. Remove both rear wheels and set aside.
6. Inspect parking brake cables for routing and condition; take reference photos of cable path, retaining clips, and equalizer connection.

Procedure

1. 1

   Access parking brake equalizer
   Locate the parking brake cable equalizer assembly underneath the vehicle, forward of the rear axle near the transmission tunnel. The equalizer is where the front cable from the pedal mechanism connects to the two rear cables. Clean the area around the equalizer with a wire brush and apply penetrating oil to the adjustment nut and cable connection points. Allow 5 minutes for penetration.
2. 2

   Release cable tension at equalizer
   Using an appropriately sized wrench (verify the equalizer adjustment nut size on your vehicle), loosen the equalizer adjustment nut by turning counterclockwise. Continue loosening until significant slack is present in both rear cables. Note the approximate number of exposed threads for reference during reassembly. The adjustment nut does not need to be completely removed, only loosened enough to disconnect the rear cables from the equalizer.
   ⚠As tension releases, cables may shift position. Keep hands clear of cable path.
3. 3

   Disconnect rear cables from equalizer
   Unhook both rear parking brake cables from the equalizer assembly. The cable ends typically have a ball or button end that seats into a clevis at the equalizer. Use needle-nose pliers to compress any retaining clips or carefully work the cable end out of the equalizer slot. Note the orientation of each cable connection for correct reassembly.
4. 4

   Remove driver side cable from bracket attachments
   Working from the equalizer toward the rear wheel, trace the driver side parking brake cable and locate all cable bracket mounting points along the frame and body. Remove fasteners securing cable brackets to the chassis (verify bolt head size against the actual fasteners on your vehicle before selecting a socket). There are approximately 3-4 bracket attachment points per side. Disengage any plastic or metal retaining clips that route the cable through chassis holes or along frame members.
   ℹ️Cable routing must clear exhaust components and suspension travel. Maintain proper clearances during reinstallation.
5. 5

   Disconnect driver side cable from brake assembly
   At the driver side rear wheel area, locate where the parking brake cable connects to the rear parking brake actuator mechanism (verify whether your vehicle uses a caliper-integrated actuator arm or a separate drum-in-hat parking brake actuator). Remove the cable end from the actuator lever by rotating or pulling the cable housing retainer and unhooking the cable end from the lever arm. Pull the cable housing out of its mounting bracket on the caliper or backing plate. Remove the cable completely from the vehicle.
6. 6

   Remove passenger side cable
   Repeat the cable removal process for the passenger side: remove bracket fasteners along the cable routing path (approximately 3-4 points), disengage retaining clips, disconnect the cable from the brake caliper parking brake actuator arm, and remove the cable housing from its mounting bracket. Remove the cable completely from the vehicle.
7. 7

   Prepare new cables for installation
   Inspect new parking brake cables to confirm they match the original cables in length, end fittings, and bracket attachment points. Lightly lubricate the cable housing ends and actuator connection points with a small amount of brake-safe grease. Do not apply grease to cable strands or areas that contact friction surfaces.
8. 8

   Install driver side cable to brake assembly
   Route the new driver side parking brake cable from the wheel area toward the equalizer location, following the original cable path documented in preparation photos. At the driver side rear wheel, insert the cable housing into the mounting bracket on the caliper or backing plate until it seats fully. Connect the cable end to the parking brake actuator lever arm, ensuring the cable end is properly seated and the housing retainer is locked in position.
9. 9

   Secure driver side cable bracket attachments
   Working from the wheel area toward the equalizer, install and secure all cable bracket mounting bolts along the frame and body routing path. Ensure the cable follows the original path with proper clearance from exhaust, suspension components, and sharp edges. Reinstall all retaining clips to secure the cable in chassis routing holes. Tighten cable bracket bolts to specification.
   Torque spec

   Cable Bracket Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Install passenger side cable
    Repeat the installation process for the passenger side cable: route the cable following the original path, connect the cable end to the brake caliper parking brake actuator lever, secure the cable housing in its mounting bracket, install all bracket mounting bolts along the routing path, and reinstall all retaining clips. Tighten cable bracket bolts to specification.
    Torque spec

    Cable Bracket Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Connect cables to equalizer
    At the equalizer assembly, connect both rear cable ends to the equalizer. Insert the cable ball or button ends into the equalizer clevis slots, ensuring they are fully seated and any retaining clips are properly engaged. Verify both cables move freely without binding when pulled gently by hand.
12. 12

    Adjust parking brake cable tension
    Using the 18mm wrench, turn the equalizer adjustment nut clockwise to take up cable slack. Adjust until slight resistance is felt when rotating the rear wheels by hand, but the wheels still turn freely without brake drag. As a starting point, adjust to approximately the same thread exposure noted during disassembly. Final adjustment will be verified after wheel installation.
    ⚠Over-tightening the equalizer nut will cause constant brake drag, premature wear, and reduced braking performance. Under-tightening will result in insufficient parking brake holding force.
    Torque spec

    Equalizer Nut15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall rear wheels
    Reinstall both rear wheels, hand-threading all lug nuts. Lower the vehicle until the wheels contact the ground but are not fully loaded. Torque all lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts142.4 Nm (105 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all cable bracket bolts are torqued to 12.0 Nm (9 lb-ft) and equalizer nut is initially set to 15.0 Nm (11 lb-ft).
2. Ensure all cable retaining clips are engaged and cables have proper clearance from exhaust and suspension components throughout their travel range.

Verification

• With vehicle on level ground and transmission in neutral, release the parking brake pedal completely. Verify both rear wheels rotate freely by hand with no brake drag.
• Apply the parking brake pedal firmly (full stroke). Verify both rear wheels are locked and cannot be rotated by hand.
• Attempt to push the vehicle forward and backward with parking brake engaged. The vehicle should not roll.
• Release parking brake and verify pedal returns fully with positive click. Re-engage parking brake and count clicks: proper adjustment typically requires 3-5 clicks for full engagement. If more than 6 clicks are required, readjust the equalizer nut clockwise in small increments.
• Test drive the vehicle in a safe area at low speed (under 5 mph) and verify normal service brakes operate correctly without drag or pulling. Test parking brake holding ability on a slight incline.
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check parking brake adjustment and verify cables have not stretched. Readjust equalizer nut if needed.

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