1981 Rabbit Pickup E Brake help

[ReubenG]

I need to replace the emergency brake (hand). I've got the cables, a new button/spring/clicker mechanism, and a Bentley. Currently on my truck there is no button... so I haven't touched it. Is there a good DIY somewhere...? Thanks.

[Dakotakid]

I sincerely doubt it. This is a pretty rudimentary undertaking.
I will say that removal of one of the seats makes the job easier. At last it did for me on one of the cars.

[wolf_walker]

The German e-brake handle is a nice upgrade, the US/Mex ones are kinda crude.
The whole werks tends to bet bent toward the drivers side from offsided pressure being applied, might check it all for straightness while it's out.

Otherwise, pretty simple, lube the hard tubes the cable goes through, lube the cables, watch the routing.

[ReubenG]

Do the brake drums need to come off/apart for this?

[wolf_walker]

Drums off.

FWIW I'd do the shoes and the hardware while you have them off. 

[ReubenG]

good call...

[Dakotakid]

Including the wheel cylinders.

[ReubenG]

WTF, so the cable was badly corroded and my new cables already have all the exterior protective covering on them, so there is no need for the hard, coiled metal original ebrake cable covers.... so I ended up cutting them off all together, but now the hard steel piece that leads into the cab for the ebrake cables is jammed with the original cable... stuck. I don't know how to ream out those little pipes. Anyone experience this?

[Dakotakid]

The metal tubes into the cab should still be available for purchase (I know Mk. II's are).

EDIT: I spent some time looking for replacement tubes and I don't see a listing.....sorry.

[fatmobile]

Plastic pieces in a metal tube? Usually.
 Heat it up with a propane torch.