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| A driver pulls the handbrake. |
What Is Parking Brake?
As you know, an emergency parking brake or handbrake is a crucial component of a vehicle that has a button at the top of the lever. The button functions to release the brake.
Emergency brake stops the car when parking or when the vehicle is uphill not to move backward, and you can also use it when the main brake fails to reduce the car’s speed.
How Does the Handbrake Work?
Operating an emergency parking brake is not tricky. You only need to press the lever button first, then lower the handbrake lever.
The mechanism of work is logically quite simple for those of you who are not automotive engineering.
In general, parking brakes use drum brakes to lock the rear wheel tires. There are two operating systems, namely:
1. Lever System
2. Button System (Lever)
Although the operation method is different, the principle remains the same: pulling the drum brake cable.
The lever system is a simple swing, so it will engage the brake cable when you pull the lever. But, the electric parking brake uses a motor to pull the brake cable.
What Happens When You Pull the Parking Brake Lever?
When you pull the brake lever, the handle will pull the wire cable mounted at the brake lever’s bottom.
Then, you will hear a particular lock sound because the lock point interacts with the lock gear.
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| Handbrake lever |
The park brake lever component works like a swing that moves both brake pads from one direction. There is a shaft or hinge located on the leading shoe at the top end of the element.
While under the shaft, there is an adjusting screw to adjust the height of the handbrake.
When pulling the lever up, the shaft will automatically become a hinge that makes the handle’s center push the adjusting screw.
Furthermore, the trailing shoe will be under pressure, and when it touches the drum, the adjusting screw will function as a pedestal.
If you continue pulling the brake lever up, the swing effect will make the shaft on the leading shoe pushed towards the drum.
The process puts the drum brakes are in a state of expansion, and the rear tire will be locked.
What Happens When You Release the Parking Brake Lever?
When you release the handbrake lever, the spring lever and drum brake system will push the brake lining back to shrink.
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| handbrake or emergency brake system |
The process begins when pressing the lock nut, which functions to lock the hand brake. When that happens, the lock on the parking brake lever will be released, and the spring turning force will automatically restore the brake position not to press the drum.
Emergency Brake Components
The following are the components of a conventional drum brake system.
- Brake lever
- Locking Point
- Lock Nut
- Park brake strut and spring
- Screw adjuster
- Park brake lever
- Cable wire
- Brake shoe
Emergency Handbrake Not Functioning Normally? These are the Causes and Symptoms
Causes that often occur
When the handbrake doesn’t work, what’s the reason? One of the problems that commonly occur with a handbrake is that you can’t lower the brake lever after pulling it. It’s stuck.
To restore a stuck hand brake lever, you will usually need extra power, which can be an additional problem if the driver is a woman.
Another cause is dirt that is in the brake mechanism, which clogs the hand brake cable path. As a result, you will have difficulty when you want to lower the lever.
How to tell if the parking brake has a problem?
You can immediately find out signs of a broken handbrake. You don’t even need to disassemble every part of the component to find out.
If it turns out to be more than that, then you need to check the condition. Please don’t ignore this because it is vital for your safety when driving.
You can also find out the emergency brake condition when the car is on a hill.
If you activate the brakes and your vehicle doesn’t stop entirely or keeps moving backward, it means your emergency handbrake is having problems.
Troubleshooting When the Emergency Brake Handle Won’t Go Down or Up, and The Indicator Light Keep On
The parking brake is stuck.
To restore a stuck parking brake lever, you can press the button while lifting the brake lever firmly. After that, immediately lower the brake pedal lever.
Unfortunately, if that doesn’t work, you need to disassemble the brake inside to restore its position.
If you are not an expert, you should take your vehicle to an advanced repair shop to fix emergency brakes so that the damage does not worsen.
Damage to the hand brake is associated with brake linings, discs, cables, or brake hoses, a reasonably complicated mechanism.
It would be best if you had someone who understands the arrangement of the car braking system. When repairs have been completed, resetting the brakes is necessary so that conditions return to normal.
Why does the indicator light always turn on when you don’t use the handbrake?
When you pull the handbrake, the indicator light will turn on, and this light will turn off when you do not activate the handbrake.
Do not underestimate if the indicator lights keep on even though you do not operate the handbrake. That is a hint that you should immediately inspect the brake fluid.
The system’s fluid amount is likely below the minimum mark due to leakage or worn brake canvas.
You need to pay attention to the quantity of fluid in the particular reservoir tank located in the master cylinder.
You require to add it immediately if the brake fluid’s surface is far below the minimum mark. Next, you should check to determine the possibility of leaks in the brake system.
If you ignore it, the air trapped in the brake system will inhibit the flow of compressive force from the brake pedal to the wheels.
Well, that’s how to release the emergency brake when stuck. Routine vehicle maintenance is an essential activity for satisfying performance.
Ryan Daniel is a car enthusiast, and he has years of experience in the automotive field as an engineer. Now he is also active as an automobile blogger and member of the auto community.