Oh man... I found the parking break cable hanging yesterday and the retaining clip was damaged so that I couldn't reattach it to the frame. While it had been hanging, it had a chance to wear away some of the rubber hosing material on the cable as it rubbed against the wheel. I found the retaining clip on a parts website, but I don't know if I need a whole new cable, or what. If anyone can help me out with this I'd really appreciate it. I'm afraid to drive it around until that thing is secure.

 

If it didn't rub through the outer casing of the cable, it should be OK. Maybe put a wrap of electrical tape on the damaged area if it is showing bare metal.
Try the parking park. If it is pinched or binding, you would most likely feel it in the hand lever. If you can, jack up the wheel on that side to check that the e-brake both grabs and releases.
Until you get a new clip, just zip-tie the cable up so it doesn't rub the tire.
You will be good to go.

 

First off, you need to secure it. Use a zip-tie or whatever will hold it properly until you acquire a replacement clip.

Secondly - I gather you are asking if you need a whole new cable? You say it wore through "some of the rubber hosing material" - from that I would say you don't need to replace the cable. The rubber material is there to weatherproof the inner lining and the cable that is inside. If it is not worn thru to the inner lining (most likely metal) it should be ok. Heck, even if it is worn through slightly, I'd wrap it with weatherproof tape and not replace it.

 

LOL - what he said - what I said.

 

Encountered the same problem with my SS. The dealer had to replace the cable. The Michelin lettering on the tire was entirely gone, but, fortunately, no other damage to the tire had been done.

 

"Great minds think alike." Just not sure where we fit in this saying.

 

LOL - I don't envy your position. :-)

 

Thanks for the replies and calming my fears. I was much more scared when I thought that cable might be a break line or something... Thanks for the advice. I'll try the electrical tape and zip ties for now.