emergency brake 87 camry

[masstom]

replacing rear shoes on 87 camry i can't reattach emergency brake to parking brake lever tried pulling back spring but can't get the cable in place

[MR2Jedi]

Hey, I moved your thread from the intro section to the Camry section. These guys are masters with this car. If anybody can help you, it's these guys.
Good Luck.

[Doctor J]

Thanks to mod for moving that thread
My method is sort of overkill but I modified old side cutters (dulled the edges and filed two senicircular slots in each side opposite to each other) so when the jaws are closed they formed a circular hole equal in diameter to the cable. I am installing this tool between the spring and end of the cable, then while holding the endpiece of the cable with small channel lock plieres I am compressing the spring by sliding my tool away from the end for about 2 inches. After that it is very easy to manuever the cable into the hook on the brake shoe lever. Release your tools and you are done!