Parking Brake System: Description and Operation

The parking brake system has the following features:
^ It has drum type brake shoes and linings located inside a drum-in-hat style rear disc brake rotor.
^ It is controlled by an independent foot-operated parking brake control which actuates the rear wheel brake shoes and linings through a cable system.
^ The parking brake warning-indicator can be actuated by the parking brake control. It warns the driver to release the parking brake control before driving the vehicle. If the indicator remains lit, a brake malfunction has occurred.

The automatic vacuum-type parking brake release system has the following features:
^ The vacuum power unit is snapped onto the mounting bracket of the parking brake control.
^ The vacuum-actuated diaphragm within the unit is connected by a rod to the lower end of the release lever.
^ hoses connect the vacuum motor to the engine manifold through a vacuum release switch at the steering column.
^ The vacuum motor is actuated to release the parking brake whenever the engine is running and the transmission is in a forward driving gear.
^ To manually release the automatic vacuum-type parking brake, a parking brake release handle extends from the lower portion of the dash panel, left of the steering column. Pulling on this handle releases the parking brake.