Parking Brake System: Description and Operation

DESCRIPTION
The rear drum brake shoes serve as the parking brakes. The parking brakes are operated by a system of cables and levers attached to the rear brake secondary shoes.

OPERATION
The shoes make contact with the brake drum surface by a cable and lever mechanism attached to the secondary brake shoe. The front parking brake cable is connected to the parking brake pedal and to the rear cables. An intermediate cable is used on some vehicles to connect the front and rear cables.
The parking brake pedal assembly is mounted on the driver side cowl panel. The front cable is directly attached to the assembly. The pedal assembly contains a spring loaded mechanism to hold the pedal in the applied position. A rod and spring are used to release the ratchet mechanism and return the pedal to normal position.