I just realized that my car is missing the bushing on my parking brake mechanism that prevents the spring from going through the hole when you pull the handle. See picture below...I circled the part I think I need in red.

Does anyone have one of these or sell this piece? Also, does anyone have a picture of what it looks like? I’ve never seen one before.

I think I remember reading another thread about this subject, but I couldn’t find it.

Thanks everyone!

Take a 1/4" split lockwasher and with a couple pair of pliers bend it so you can slide it over the rod then bend it back flat. It'll keep the spring in place.

When I rebuilt mine I found a plastic bushing that is "close". It fits the rod and it fits the hole and its black. I'll post a pic. I think I bought extras !!

Pynzo - Is that a picture of an original bushing that's correct for the shaft? It looks similar to the plastic spark plug retainers that are used to hold the plug wires on valve cover brackets, etc.

Stanton - Thanks! Let me know where you bought it!

The whole assembly was a junk yard pull from 30 years ago. If it is a spark plug wire insulator I've been hanging onto this for way too long.

It's more than likely original then.

Well if it's not, my apologies for the misinformation.
I've used the lockwasher trick successfully though.

I just posted this same question about a week ago due to I had the same issue. I was told about the lock washer idea as well.

I found a standard washer from my hardware stash and cut one side of it so I could get it over the handle rod. Once I got it over I bent it back and now the brake release handle works as before.

Its a simple fix that works.

I found a rubber grommet that fit

Thanks for the ideas, everyone.

This grommet on the assembly in this e-bay auction appears to be red:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-Cuda-Challenger-Barracuda-Emergency-Brake-Pedal-Assembly-/262375414165?hash=item3d16cb1995:g:sZIAAOSwx-9Wtm5Q&vxp=mtr#ht_25wt_1153

I've been told they were originally black, is this the case?

in all the mopars i have parted and scrapped since 1969, i have never seen anything but a black bushing in the foot pedal mechanism. this includes all makes, chrysler, dodge, and plymouth, and all models of each, slant 6 to 440 equipped. it is possible other color bushings were used depending on the supplier at the time, but just from MY EXPERIANCE ALONE, i have only seen black. others may have seen different, and i can not, and will not dispute this. i am willing to learn everything i can, so educate me. if a different color was used, please be specific, as i want to know the "why" as to the color difference as well.

https://www.megapartsusa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=199-DR056

Mega Parts is selling the bushing. Looks like a rubber grommet to me, and there is the remainder of an original on the spring in the pics I originally posted. I guess someone way back in the day used a spark wire insulator to keep the spring in place. Clever reuse of parts on hand.

Thanks for the rubber grommet link, Pynzo.

I agree on the reuse of the plug wire insulator – I’m sure it works fine, but is not really the right part to use.

For restoration purposes-definetly not. Now I know I can toss that pos insulator. I'll keep the rod assembly though. You learn something new everyday. When I get around to replacing my bushing, which has been missing the last 31 years, I'll put a flat washer between the spring and grommet. That'll extend the life of the rubber and be out of sight.

Good idea!

Black.

This is what I used. They're "close" to original. Bought at a large nut and bolt supply. You have to take the handle off to install these, slicing and slipping over the rod is not a good solution. The difference between these and originals is the originals were a solid piece (no holes around the outside). This is as close as I could find. A rubber grommet didn't seen like a good replacement to me.

The rivet that holds the rod at the end can also be purchased. They are called "semi-tubular" rivets. They can be installed with center punch to start then a ballpeen to finish. They're cheap so buy a couple different lengths and a few of each so you get the correct fit and if you screw one up you have a replacement.

For those interested, I bought that stuff at Spae-Naur (see link). They're in Canada. The full catalog is viewable on-line.

http://www.spaenaur.com/

Now I'm thinking that cross border commercial shipping is usually a nightmare and costs a fortune (most businesses won't ship by mail). So here's what I'll do ... send me your want's and needs. I'll give it a week to get your orders in, then I'll make one trip and I'll fill your requests by mail.

Price will be the cost of parts plus packaging and postage.

I'll post the prices of the parts shortly.

Nice gesture of you, Stanton. Thanks

Here are some pics of the rivets and bushings. The original bushings are shown for comparison. The new ones don't resemble the originals BUT they fit both the hole and the shaft and they're black.

To install you have to remove the handle, drill out the rivet and install the bushing from the back so the spring holds it in and doesn't push it out.

Bushings are 20 cents each Rivets are 10 cents each.

PM your requirements till May 15th - I ship the week after.