Parking Brake System: Description and Operation

PARKING BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY
The parking brake pedal assembly, located on the dash panel left of the service brake pedal, is a ratcheting mechanism which must be pumped to set. Up to 3 1/2 full strokes of the pedal are required to fully apply the parking brake. Low pedal resistance may be felt during the first stroke of the parking brake pedal application.
Applying the parking brake places the brake cables in tension. Tension in the intermediate and rear cables rotate the parking brake actuator lever on the rear caliper assembly.
The parking brake is self adjusting but pedal travel may increase with mileage. If a firm parking brake feel is not achieved with less than 3 1/2 pedal strokes, the parking brake system should be adjusted.

PARKING BRAKE VACUUM RELEASE SYSTEM
The parking brake will release automatically when the transaxle selector lever is placed in reverse or any drive position with the engine running. The brake will not automatically release with the transaxle lever in park or neutral with the engine running or any position with the engine stopped. A manual release lever, located on the inboard side of the lever assembly, may be used if the automatic release is inoperative or if manual release is desired at any time.