This procedure covers the replacement of the parking brake cable assembly on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 with 5.0L V8 Coyote engine and 4WD, including rear cable routing and tension adjustment.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Parking brake cable assembly (left and/or right rear) × 1 — Use OEM specification - Ford BC3Z-2A635-A (LH) or BC3Z-2A635-B (RH)
• Cable retaining clips (if damaged) × 4 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage transmission park
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. Fully release parking brake pedal/lever
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
5. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack and secure on jack stands at frame contact points
6. Remove rear wheels completely
7. Spray penetrating lubricant on all cable mounting hardware and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes if vehicle is from rust-prone area
8. Verify you have clear access to cable equalizer assembly under vehicle near center of rear axle

Procedure

1. 1

   Access and disconnect cable equalizer
   Locate the parking brake cable equalizer assembly under the vehicle, forward of the rear axle near the transmission. The equalizer connects the front control cable to the two rear cables. Use a wrench to loosen (but do not fully remove) the equalizer nut on the threaded rod. Note the current position and number of threads exposed for reference during reassembly. Once tension is released, disconnect both rear cables from the equalizer by removing the cable end fittings.
   Torque spec

   Equalizer Nut15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove cable from frame brackets
   Follow the parking brake cable from the equalizer toward the rear wheel on the side being replaced. The cable is secured to the vehicle frame and axle housing by multiple brackets with bolts or clips. Remove all cable bracket bolts along the frame rail, keeping track of their locations. Use needle-nose pliers to release any push-in style retaining clips. The cable routing typically includes 3-4 mounting points between the equalizer and the rear axle.
   ⚠Keep track of cable routing and bracket positions. Take photos before removal to ensure correct reinstallation path.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts127 Nm (94 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Disconnect cable from rear brake caliper
   At the rear brake assembly, locate where the parking brake cable connects to the actuating lever on the rear brake caliper. Depending on your specific caliper design, this may be a clevis pin connection or a cable end fitting. Use pliers to compress the cable housing retaining clip at the caliper bracket and slide the cable housing out of its mount. Then disconnect the cable end from the actuating lever. You may need to rotate the lever slightly with a pry bar to relieve tension.
   ⚠Do not damage the caliper actuating lever or spring mechanism. These components must move freely for proper parking brake operation.
4. 4

   Remove old cable completely
   With all connections released, carefully pull the parking brake cable through all mounting brackets and guides, working from the rear wheel forward toward the equalizer. Note the cable routing path through the rear suspension components and frame. Remove any remaining retaining clips or guides attached to the old cable. Inspect all mounting brackets for damage or excessive corrosion.
   ℹ️If cable is severely rusted or seized in brackets, additional disassembly of bracket hardware may be required.
5. 5

   Prepare and route new cable
   Compare the new parking brake cable to the old cable to verify correct length and end fittings. Beginning at the rear caliper end, route the new cable through all frame brackets and suspension guides following the exact path of the original cable. Ensure the cable does not contact any sharp edges, exhaust components, or suspension parts that move through their travel. The cable must have adequate slack to prevent binding during suspension articulation.
   ⚠Incorrect cable routing can cause premature wear, binding, or cable failure. Verify routing matches OEM specifications.
6. 6

   Connect cable to rear brake caliper
   At the rear brake caliper, insert the cable housing into the caliper bracket mount until the retaining clip engages with a positive click. Connect the cable end fitting to the actuating lever on the caliper, ensuring it is fully seated. Verify the lever returns to its rest position and moves freely through its range of motion. The cable should have slight slack when the parking brake is released.
   ⚠Ensure cable end is securely attached to actuating lever. A loose connection will result in parking brake failure.
7. 7

   Secure cable in frame brackets
   Working from the rear wheel forward toward the equalizer, install all cable bracket bolts and retaining clips at their original locations. Ensure the cable sits properly in each bracket guide before tightening hardware. Torque all cable bracket bolts to specification. Verify the cable does not bind or contact any moving components, sharp edges, or heat sources like the exhaust system.
   ⚠Do not over-tighten cable bracket bolts as this may distort brackets and cause cable binding.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts127 Nm (94 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Connect cable to equalizer
   At the cable equalizer assembly, insert the cable end fitting into the equalizer mechanism. Ensure the fitting is fully seated and properly oriented. If replacing both rear cables, install the second cable using the same procedure (steps 2-7) before proceeding to adjustment. Once all cables are connected, thread the equalizer nut onto the threaded rod but do not tighten yet.
   Torque spec

   Equalizer Nut15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Perform initial cable adjustment
   With all cables connected and parking brake fully released, adjust the equalizer nut to remove excess slack from the system. The cables should be snug but not applying any braking force. As a starting point, adjust the nut until approximately 1-2mm of cable movement is present at the equalizer when cables are pulled by hand. Torque the equalizer nut to specification once initial adjustment is achieved.
   ⚠Over-tightening will cause rear brake drag and premature wear. Under-tightening will result in inadequate parking brake holding force.
   Torque spec

   Equalizer Nut15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Install wheels and perform operational test
    Reinstall rear wheels and torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle to the ground and torque lug nuts again to final specification. Apply and release the parking brake several times to seat the cables. The parking brake pedal or lever should engage with firm resistance within the specified number of clicks or distance (typically 4-6 clicks for pedal-type). If engagement is too high or too low, readjust the equalizer nut as needed.
    ⚠️Perform a complete parking brake holding test before returning vehicle to service. Vehicle must not roll on an incline with parking brake applied.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all cable bracket bolts are torqued to specification and no mounting hardware was left loose
2. Confirm parking brake pedal/lever returns fully to released position with no resistance
3. Check that rear wheels rotate freely when parking brake is released with no brake drag
4. Ensure no cables are contacting exhaust components, suspension parts, or sharp frame edges

Verification

• With vehicle on level ground and transmission in neutral, apply parking brake fully. Vehicle must not roll in either direction
• Test on a moderate incline if safely possible. Vehicle must remain stationary with parking brake applied and transmission in neutral
• Verify parking brake engages within manufacturer specified range (typically 4-6 clicks for pedal, 6-8 clicks for lever)
• Release parking brake and verify brake warning light extinguishes on instrument cluster
• Drive vehicle at low speed (5-10 mph) in a safe area and verify no brake drag or unusual noise from rear brakes
• Perform several hard stops from 20-30 mph to verify regular brake function is not affected
• Re-check all cable bracket bolts and equalizer nut torque after test drive
• If any abnormality is detected, do not return vehicle to service until issue is resolved

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