Parking Brake System: Description and Operation
PARKING BRAKEDESCRIPTION
The parking brake mechanism on vehicles equipped with rear disc brakes consists of a small duo-servo brake which is mounted to the disc brake caliper adapter. The hat (center) section of the rear rotor serves as the braking surface (drum) for the parking brakes.
The parking brake shoes are mechanically operated by an internal lever connected to a flexible steel (rear) cable. There are two rear cables, one for each rear wheel parking brake. The rear cables are joined at an equalizer bracket (and cable tensioner) which is attached to the intermediate cable. The opposite end of the intermediate cable is attached to the front cable which leads to the foot operated lever mounted inside the passenger compartment.
OPERATION
When the parking brake (foot) lever is pressed, the cables are pulled, thus actuating the parking brake shoes. The shoes expand outward against the drum section of the rear disc brake rotor.