I thought since I will be removing my PCM in order to install a GH tune shortly, I would try and figure out how to get my parking brake pedal to return to the full up/off position.

There is a lot of controversial information on the internet and FTE in regards to what actually brings the pedal back to its full up/off position when it is released. Some people say the pedal is returned to the full up/off position simply by the tension in the cables from the rear parking brake mechanisms and can be tightened by moving the star adjusters. Other people say there is a coil spring that is inside the pedal assembly itself that is responsible for returning the pedal to the full up/off position.

I am inclined to believe the second theory because I recently rebuilt and adjusted my parking brakes at the wheels and the pedal still will not return to the full up/off position when released. Although, I have been wrong before and I don't want to waste $120 on a pedal assembly and find out that it still will not come up fully actuating the switch to turn off the light on the dashboard.

So, is the pedal release/return to the full up position (parking brake off) tension provided by the cables to the rear wheels or by the coil spring in the pedal assembly itself?

 

I can't say for sure, but my money is on the spring. Seems like there's a spring on mine, but without looking at it, I can't say for sure.

Not enough travel in the parking brake shoe to make the pedal go from all the way down to all the way up in my opinion.

Have you looked at the pedal assembly? Do you have a spring there?

 

Without removing the assembly (as you probably know) from the truck the visibility of the inner mechanism of the parking brake pedal is not very good. Based on the pictures online like from 1A Auto or Amazon, I can see a coil spring that is in there, but again it is hard to see.

Maybe all I needed was a second set of eyes or second thought to realize that I need to just go ahead and order the assembly. I think you are right that there is little to no travel between the 4 cables and pads that would return the pedal to the full up position. I don't doubt that the cables and pads have some role in bringing the pedal up, but the spring in the assembly probably assists and brings the pedal up the rest of the way in order to cancel the light on the dash.

I am going to order the pedal assembly and update this thread with the results in order to get a clear and concise answer to the question.

 

A decent borescope might well give you the additional insight you need. (Pun intended).

 

I often lack the "insight" required to complete the task at hand. I ordered the pedal assembly and a front cable as well. I would hate to remove all of that stuff then 6 months down the road the cable snaps.

Update to follow in a week or so.

 

The spring is real! Believe it!

Check out this thread for more detailed information.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...rn-spring.html