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 to each rear wheel. 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 activates the BRAKE indicator on the instrument cluster.

This mechanical parking brake assembly is activated by pulling up on the parking brake lever (2). This engages the parking brake through the parking brake cables. To release the parking brake, the parking brake lever must be gently pulled upward and the release button (1) (on the top end of the lever) must be pushed in. This moves the pawl back, disengaging the teeth and allowing the lever to be lowered into the released position. This action releases the tension in the cables and the brake shoes.

The twisted strand parking brake cables are covered by a plastic material which allows the cables to slide more freely. The cables run from the parking brake lever to both brake drums. The cables are connected to the lever by an equalizer. This equalizer ensures that braking tension is applied to both brake drums at the same time and with the same amount of pressure. The cable is secured to the underbody of the vehicle by protectors on the trailing rod, frame and crossmember.

For information regarding the BRAKE indicator, refer to Brake Warning System Description in Hydraulic Brakes.

The parking brake switch is mounted to the parking brake lever. The switch is open with the parking brake released. When the parking brake lever is pulled up, the switch closes, illuminating the BRAKE indicator. Refer to Brake Warning System Description in Hydraulic Brakes for more information regarding the parking brake switch.