Parking Brake System: Description and Operation

The parking brake system allows the rear brakes to be mechanically applied by pulling the parking brake lever. On vehicles with rear drum brakes, this system mechanically expands the rear brake shoes inside the drums. When the parking brake is applied the effort with which the brake lever is moved is transmitted to the rear shoes by the cables this forces the rear brake shoes outward against the brake drums. On vehicles with rear disc brakes, this system mechanically forces the rear brake pads against the brake rotor.