Emergency brake release handle location?

[Jayru 17]

Hey Guys,

 

Been meaning to post about this, but the engine drama has kept me busy.

 

I replaced my E brake assembly with the aftermarket one sold by most parts houses (the release handle was bent and non functioning on my original).

 

I'm wondering about the position of the release handle. It's super low and on an angle, right between the clutch and E brake pedal. It's literally the stupidest place for it. I can now see why the original was bent and non functional, I've already stepped on it twice by misjudging where the E brake or Clutch pedal is.

 

Is that the same location it was originally/factory? I imagine the better place is up and close to the dash (away from the pedals). Anyone encounter this? I'm thinking i may just take it off and bend the handle up or something. Will that affect the release?

 

Thanks!

Jay

[Jayru 17]

No one has any insight?

[jkskinsfan 19]

I have an Automatic, and my handle is pretty far to the right (Away from the door) but it's up high, almost to the bottom of the Dash. I would think that bending yours to move it up and/or to the left wouldn't cause any problems with the way it worked, and you woildn't always be hitting it with you foot. I could take a picture of mine if you's like.

[Jayru 17]

Yea, a pic would be great!

 

I had an idea that would be the best location for it (and that the position of the aftermarket one was wrong). I wonder why the new aftermarket one comes bent in the downward position like that?

 

I wanted to make sure that wasn't the factory position (and was like that for a reason).

 

Thanks!

[Pakrat 1,043]

It would help if you could post a picture of yours as well. I was really baffled when I read your first post and so was hesitant to reply as I don't ever recall mine being super low or on an angle and even remotely being afraid to accidentally step on it.

[Jayru 17]

It would help if you could post a picture of yours as well. I was really baffled when I read your first post and so was hesitant to reply as I don't ever recall mine being super low or on an angle and even remotely being afraid to accidentally step on it.

 

I will post one this weekend. It is literally so low and awkward that when releasing (pulling on the handle), the E Brake pedal actually hits my hand on recoil if I'm not careful!

[Pakrat 1,043]

It must be altered then. If no one else posts a picture of how it should be mounted then I can do it by this Friday.

[jkskinsfan 19]

Here you go, Jayru. It's not as high as I thought, but I'm pretty sure mine is where it was originally. Hope the pics help.

[Jayru 17]

I think i may have come up with a hypothesis on what's going on here.

 

jkskinsfan, thanks for the pics! It seems yours, being an automatic, has the E Brake lever basically where my clutch pedal is. I'm wondering if Ford had 2 versions of the E Brake assembly (one for manual and one for auto's).

 

Maybe my aftermarket one is positioned the way it is so it can be used for both setups?

 

Anyone have a pic of an E Brake handle from a manual car?

[Pakrat 1,043]

My car is manual, I will try to get it for you this friday.

[Jayru 17]

Bringing this back from the dead. Finally was able to snap a pic of the aftermarket repro E Brake handle location. As you can see, it's retarded.

 

Also, the ratcheting function already seems to be malfunctioning! When you get 3 or 4 clicks down on the petal it pops back up like the ratchet mechanism is slipping!

 

I'm definitely unsatisfied with the repro, but my original was completely broke, so i have to make this one work somehow!

[69RestoRod 10]

I would take it back out and see if you can't get a good look at what's slipping. And while you've got it on a bench bend the arm up and to the right a bit at a time until it's closer to the dash. You could even mount a collar for it to slide through and hold it in place on the underside of the dash

[69RavenConv 286]

Are you sure that's mounted right? The handle should be horizontal, not vertical. It looks rotated 90 degrees?

[Jayru 17]

Are you sure that's mounted right? The handle should be horizontal, not vertical. It looks rotated 90 degrees?

 

Yea, the handle screws on, so it'll rotate wherever i put it. But it stops on the threads crooked (another problem). If i turn the handle to be horizontal, it then becomes so close to the release handle that it actually hits my hand (the pedal) on release.

[Len69Coupe 33]

Mine is a manual and the handle is right above the pedal. You have to have your palm facing down or the pedal will hit your hand. Not sure if it's right, but I'm guessing it's stock.

[stangme428 33]

Yea, the handle screws on, so it'll rotate wherever i put it. But it stops on the threads crooked (another problem). If i turn the handle to be horizontal, it then becomes so close to the release handle that it actually hits my hand (the pedal) on release.

 

did the original handles screw on? ... the only thing thats wrong with mine is the handle broke off.... otherwise thats it..

[RogerC 136]

Here's my old one.

[Jayru 17]

Here's my old one.

 

It's hard to tell from the pic, did that handle hug the dash or was it lower? You said that was your old one, does that one work? Is it original? Want to sell it to me?

[RogerC 136]

It's hard to tell from the pic, did that handle hug the dash or was it lower? You said that was your old one, does that one work? Is it original? Want to sell it to me?

 

Yes, it hugs the dash. It works fine and is the original.