Parking Brake System: Description and Operation

The parking brake on this vehicle has an automatic self adjuster built into the park brake lever mechanism. When the park brake lever is in its released (full down) position, a clock spring automatically adjusts the park brake cable system. The park brake cable system is adjusted (tensioned) just enough to remove all the slack from the park brake cables. The automatic adjuster system will not over adjust the cables causing rear brake drag.

When the park brake lever is moved upward to apply the park brakes, the self adjuster is by-passed and the lever operates normally to engage the parking brakes.

Due to the auto adjust feature of the parking brake lever, adjustment of the parking brake system on this vehicle relies on the proper drum-in-hat park brake shoe adjustment. Refer to Parking Brake Shoe, Service and Repair, Removal and Installation.

When a service procedure needs to be performed on the park brake pedal assembly or the park brake cables, the automatic self adjuster can be manually locked out.