I removed both rear hubs from my '99 Legacy GT to have new bearings pressed in. I removed both parking brake cables from the backing plates by pulling up and removing the little U-shaped clip that secures each cable to the backing plate. Does anyone know the right way to reinstall the clip so it holds the cable in the backing plate? Do you insert the clip into the backing plate first and then force the cable thru the clip?

You should put the cable in first, and then put the clip in.

You should put the cable in first, and then put the clip in.

 

Is there some sort of trick to doing this? I've applied a substantial amount of force trying to get each clip to snap down thru the guide tube on the backing plate and thru the little "circle" cast into the parking brake cable that it locks around ...... all of this while wiggling, jiggling, and moving the cable around trying to get the clip to pass thru it......

It's been a while since I did mine, but I don't recall it being too much of a pain to do. Are you sure the cable is inserted all the way, and the recessed portion on the cable is in the right spot?

If the cable is in the correct direction and the groove is just peeking out of the holder, start the clip by hand and then tap it in with a small hammer.