Chrysler Repair: Brake pedal wont return by itself, chrysler vans, chrysler dodge

Question
Hi Roland
I have a 1973 Dodge sportsman van, duels on the rear.
It's a motorhome conversion.
The Brakes work great but I have to pull the pedal up manually with my foot.
The brakes will stay on until I manually retract the pedal into the upward position.
They are not mushy at all.
Thanks for your help.
Gunnery Sergeant F.J.Garguilo USMC

Answer
Hi Frank,

While I haven't worked on any of the Chrysler vans, nor do I have a manual, I would believe that there should be a spring that attaches to the brake pedal lever arm that causes the return motion. If you see another similar van you might ask the owner to let you take a look under the dash to see if there is a spring there. Or you could see whether there is a sign of a hole in the lever arm where a spring might hook and another point above that in the under dash structure where the other end might hook. The master cylinder may well have an internal spring and that would provide the return action, but it is broken, is another possibility. I will be receiving the '83 shop manuals in a few days as the result of a purchase on eBay and I will look it up in the van manual and let you know if I get the definitive answer. Given how slowly van design changes the '83 is probably identical to the '73.
If there is a Chrysler/Dodge dealer near you could go to the parts dept and ask them to look up the pedal assembly for your van to see if it shows any return springs. These parts lists usually also have drawings of the assemblies in question that will visualize any return springs.
Roland