Ford Repair: Explorer Parking Brake, rear disc brakes, brake calipers

Question
Hi,

I have a 1998 Eddie Bauer Explorer. The parking brake does not work at all. We couldn't find any way to tighten or repair it. Would you happen to know how to repair the parking brake? Thank you very much.


Answer
Natalie, the Eddie Bauer probably is equipped with rear disc brakes, and the parking brake is probably a small drum-type brake that is within the disc.  It is not often that people even use the parking brake on a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission; but Eddie Bauer's don't usually have a manual trans, so I'm wondering what you actually have? (although it wouldn't make any difference in the brakes, with either transmission).
I would first look at the cable under the car, as someone moves the park brake pedal down and releases it for you ... is the cable moving?  It should be a single cable from the driver's floor board area to about the rear axle, then split into two separate cables (one for each rear brake).  There is not an adjustment on most of the cables, although some after-market adjusters are available (they can take up a little slack from a stretched cable, but I don't recommend it - if the cable has stretched, it should be replaced!)  
If the cable is moving freely, then look at each rear wheel where the cable goes into the drum assembly - you may find that one of the cables is loose and disconnected... that will make the park brake inoperative, since the other cable doesn't get any pressure on it due to the slack in one side.  
If both sides are connected and moving, then it sounds like you'll need to take the rear wheels, brake calipers, and discs apart to inspect the rear drum parking brakes.  Inside the drum, you'll find a small but typical drum brake setup, and should see a difference from one side to the other if something has broken or is not moving.
On the other hand, if the cable is not moving under the car, then look at the park brake pedal assembly... you could have a broken cable or a broken pedal assembly.
If I'm not mistaken, the factory cable adjustment is within the pedal assembly, and there is a procedure for taking it apart and replacing the cable - you may need to have your local Ford dealer print out a copy of the service procedure from the service manual (many dealers will help you with information, or you can order a service manual from the publisher, Helm Inc.)
Hope this helps...
Clay