Kia Forte Hand Brake Cable

Description

Installation Steps

1. Preparation

• Gather the necessary tools, including a socket set, a wrench set, a jack, jack stands, and a new hand - brake cable compatible with your Kia Forte.
• Park the vehicle on a flat, stable surface. Engage the parking brake and place wheel chocks in front of and behind the front wheels. Then, turn off the engine and disconnect the negative battery terminal as a safety precaution.

2. Raise the Vehicle

• Use the jack to lift the rear of the vehicle. Place the jack stands under the designated lift points for added safety. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands until it is stable.

3. Access the Hand - Brake Cable

• Remove the rear wheels to gain better access to the hand - brake components.
• Locate the hand - brake cable connection at the rear brake calipers or drums. On disc brakes, the cable usually connects to a mechanism that actuates the parking brake function within the caliper. On drum brakes, it connects to the brake shoes.
• There may also be a cable guide or bracket that holds the cable in place along the undercarriage of the vehicle.

4. Disconnect the Old Cable

• First, release the tension on the hand - brake by fully disengaging the parking brake lever inside the vehicle.
• At the rear brakes, use a socket or wrench to remove the nuts or bolts that secure the cable to the brake mechanism. Carefully detach the cable from the brake components.
• Trace the cable along the undercarriage and remove any clips, brackets, or guides that hold it in place. At the front end, near the hand - brake lever inside the vehicle, remove the cable from the lever. This may involve removing a retaining clip or using a small tool to release the cable.

5. Install the New Cable

• Start by threading the new cable through the same clips, brackets, and guides along the undercarriage as the old cable was routed. Make sure the cable is properly seated in each holder to prevent it from rubbing against other components.
• At the rear brakes, connect the new cable to the brake mechanism. Tighten the nuts or bolts securely to the manufacturer - specified torque values.
• At the front end, connect the cable to the hand - brake lever inside the vehicle. Ensure that it is properly engaged and that any retaining clips are in place.

6. Adjust the Hand - Brake Cable

• With the new cable installed, you need to adjust the tension. First, fully engage the parking brake lever inside the vehicle.
• There is usually an adjustment nut or screw near the hand - brake lever or at the rear of the cable. Use a wrench to turn the adjustment nut to increase or decrease the tension. The goal is to have the parking brake engage firmly after 3 - 5 clicks of the lever.
• After making an adjustment, test the parking brake by attempting to roll the vehicle slightly with the parking brake engaged. If it doesn't hold well, make further adjustments.

7. Re - install the Wheels and Lower the Vehicle

• Once the hand - brake cable is properly adjusted, re - install the rear wheels. Tighten the wheel nuts to the recommended torque using a torque wrench.
• Use the jack to lift the vehicle slightly off the jack stands. Remove the jack stands and then slowly lower the vehicle to the ground.

8. Reconnect the Battery

• Reconnect the negative battery terminal.

9. Final Test

• Test the hand - brake again by driving the vehicle at a very low speed in a safe area and then engaging the parking brake. The vehicle should come to a stop smoothly and the wheels should not lock up suddenly.