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Parking Brake System: Description and Operation

Parking Brake Assembly:





The parking brake prevents the rear wheels from turning when the parking brake lever is pulled all the way up. Two cables run along the underside of the vehicle from the parking brake lever equalizer cable. The parking brake engages the rear drum brake mechanism and is released by pushing the release button at the end of the parking brake lever, and lowering the lever. Applying the parking brake will activate the BRAKE indicator on the instrument cluster.

Parking Brake Operation:





When the parking brake lever is pulled up, the lower end swivels forward pulling the equalizer cable. The equalizer applies equal force to both parking brake cables. The cables, in turn, pull on the parking brake shoe levers in both brake drums. The swivel of the brake shoe lever pushes the rear (trailing) brake shoe against the drum, preventing the tire and wheel assembly from turning.