Parking Brakes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Dodge Intrepid, 2002 Chrysler Intrepid, 2002 Chrysler Concorde, and 2002 Chrysler 300M. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The parking brake mechanism 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. See Fig 1 . The parking brake shoes are mechanically operated by an internal lever connected to a flexible steel cable. There are 2 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. 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.

Fig 1: Identifying Drum-In-Hat Braking Disc

Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.