Hand Brake: Description: Function

When the lever is in the rest position, the adjuster opener holds the adjuster open. In this position, the lever is effectively disconnected from the hand brake cable. This allows the adjuster spring, if required, to remove slack in the hand brake cables. After less than 5 degrees of lever travel and normally before the first tooth is engaged, the adjuster is closed and the cables and hence the parking brakes are actuated. No adjustment of the cables is required during assembly or by the dealer. The function of the adjuster is to remove slack in the hand brake cables and not to provide any adjustment of the parking brake itself. The adjuster spring force is always lower than the brake shoe return spring force.