Is my trans crossmember on backwards?

I am starting to think so.

 

Looks like it. The BB cross member has a slot that the emergency brake cable runs through. Looks like that slot is on the passenger side and should be on the drivers side.

 

The "hump" in the center is to the back of the car.

 

Thanks for that. I just installed a new front parking brake cable and the cables don't seem to hook up right. Actually, not at all. Hopefully it will help my header clearance a bit too.

 

Double check the pn of the front brake cable. IIRC, the St400 requires a different cable than the ST300 trans.

 

Ed,

Is your car Right Hand drive? I don't think the crossmember can be installed backwards.

 

Yes, it can. It is a bitch to get the cross-member in backwards, but you certainly can do it. (and almost always screw up the driveshaft working angle)

 

Well guys, it was hard to install. Not having prior experience doing so, I don't know what "normal" installation is like. I have not driven the car like this fortunately. I will see if it is easier the other way (correct way) and let you know.

 

the give away is the hole for the brake cable "idler" on the passenger side top. its pretty difficult to get the hook into the hole with the CM in position.

 

Yeah, my cable didn’t quite fit the first time. Had the hook in the wrong hole of the cross member (see red circle). Once I moved it, the cable all line up.

However, I do have a question on the front cable portion spring and ferrule. (Second picture which is a screen shot of a video). My ferrule and return spring move. Is yours crimped down? Or does it move and supposed to crimp down once installed? What do/how to crimp? Post a picture of yours. I’m not sure what to do as it was a PIA to install since my body is on the frame and fenders installed. Thanks Nick!

 

Hi Nick,
Let me get my crossmember switched around and my cables sorted and I will post a picture.
In the meantime, if I am not mistaken what you refer to as a return spring is on there as armor to protect the cable from abrasion, just like the springs on your brake lines.

 

Yeah, let me know what you find out. I've been told that spring on the front cable is the return spring for the foot pedal, but I haven't been able to confirm or get a picture of someone else's front cable. Like I said, my spring and ferulle move. I wanted to see if it was crimped or moves as well. Let me know when you get yours figured out. Thanks!

 

Nick,

The ferrule that clips into the frame simply holds the cable in place. Like I said, the spring is to protect the cable. See in my pic how it covers the portion of the cable that goes over and through the crossmember? It still moves freely. The parking brake pedal is a ratcheting mechanism that puts tension on the cable. When the release handle is pulled, the gear is disengaged and tension releases. The spring on the cable has nothing to do with it. Make sense? I hope I explained it correctly.