The park brake system is applied by depressing the park brake pedal. Applying the park brake pedal places tension on the park brake cables, which actuates the rear park brake mechanism. The system mechanically forces the rear brake shoes against the brake drums, locking the rear brakes.
Four-wheel drive pickups are equipped with a four-wheel disc braking system. The park brake shoes on these vehicles are inside a brake drum which is part of a one-piece drum/rotor casting. The park brake shoes are mechanically applied to lock the rear wheels.
This section covers park brake component replacement and adjustment. The park brake must be adjusted any time the park brake cables have been replaced or disconnected, or if the park brake holding ability is inadequate. The lever on the disc brakes must also be properly seated when this procedure is performed.
The park brake is not designed for use in the place of service brakes and should be applied only after the vehicle is brought to a complete stop, except in an emergency. Before working on the park brake system, make sure the service brakes are in good working order and adjusted properly.
Park Brake Lever
The park brake lever is located on the left side of the driver's compartment and is activated by foot pressure. The lever assembly has a clutch mechanism in it to allow varying degrees of park brake application. The park brake release handle under the instrument panel allows the driver to release the park brake and control the foot lever release velocity.
Cable System
The park brake uses a cable system that includes one front cable and two rear cables. The front cable connects to the park brake lever on one end and the equalizer on the other end. The rear cables attach to the equalizer on one end and to either the park brake struts in the drum brakes, or the lever on the disc brakes on the other end.
This vehicle is equipped with coated park brake cable assemblies. The wire strand is coated with a nylon material that slides over plastic seals inside the conduit end fittings. This is for corrosion protection and reduced park brake effort.
