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

The mechanical park brake assembly activates by pulling up on the park brake lever. This engages the park brake through the park brake cables.

Complete the following steps in order to release the park brake:

1. Gently pull upward on the park brake lever (2)
2. Push in the release button (1) on the top of the lever.

The above procedure moves the pawl back. The pawl will disengage from the teeth and allow the lever to lower into the released position. This action releases the tension in the cables and the brake shoes.

When you pull up the park brake lever (1), the lower end swivels forward, and pulls the connecting rod.

The equalizer (4) attaches to the other end of the connecting rod. The equalizer applies equal force to both of the park brake cables (2).

The park brake cables are secured by guides (1,2). The park brake cables pull on the park brake shoe levers in both brake drums. The swivel of the brake shoe lever pushes the rear (trailing) brake shoe against the drum. The friction between the shoe and the drum prevents the tire and wheel assembly from turning.

The twisted strand park brake cables are covered by a plastic material that allows the cables to slide more freely.

The cables run from the park brake lever to both brake drums.

The cables are connected to the lever by an equalizer. The equalizer ensures that the braking tension is applied to both brake drums at the same time, and with the same amount of pressure.

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

The park brake switch mounts to the park brake lever. The switch is open when the park brake releases. When the park brake lever is pulled up, the switch closes, illuminating the BRAKE indicator.

For more information regarding the park brake switch, refer to Brake Warning System Operation in Hydraulic Brakes.

For information regarding the DRL, refer to Headlights/Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Circuit Description in Lighting Systems.