Emergency Brake Assembly not engaging

[James_GTS]

Good day all, having issues with a hand brake.

1995 Rt/10

Symptoms:
Parking Brake does not engage.
Handle pulled to the full upright position "clicks" but the opposite gear than pulls the cable does not move.

I've hit everything with copious amounts of WD40 and everything moves as it should but the action between the handle lever and the opposing gear that pulls the cable in, is not responding. I'm not sure if something is missing, broke or just worn out. There is what appears to be catch that is just short of the teeth. I'm unsure if it's supposed to be stationary.

The spring still has plenty of pull but that could be it. Or something is broken. This seems really simple but my service manual doesn't provide pictures for my problem. I'll attach some photos so hopefully someone understands my gibberish.

 

[GTS Dean]

That does look pretty crusty in there. In my experience, 90% of the trouble is at the caliper actuator levers and springs. Pull the rear pads and rotors. Use either the correct driver, or a good pair of needle-nose pliers to push/screw the pistons back into the calipers (clockwise) 'til they bottom. Try using the handle several strokes to screw them out. Carefully lift the dust boot from the piston groove and spray silicone liberally inside. Repeat the extend/retract process half a dozen times.

You may find one, or both levers are stuck. Use vise-grips to pull the cable terminals out of the lever hooks. Next, use suitable channel-locks to squarely grab and rotate the lever(s) in plane of rotation. If you can't get it to budge, spray penetrating oil behind the lever, soak, then tap it with a small hammer from both directions.

Report back and let us know if it free'd up, or not.