I didn't use the truck last and the person who did used the parking brake (idiot) it is sitting on level ground. In fact this may be the only time the parking brake was ever used in the last 15 years or more. Anyway it seems to be stuck on though the foot lever is down it has no tension it just flops there. How do you release the parking brake when it seems it is no longer attached to the foot lever or release handle.

Disclaimer: I'm not a mechanic, can change a tire and oil and that's about it. As is I can't even have it towed to a shop.

 

Inside the park brake control is a coil spring. When it snaps, the foot operated lever will no longer have tension to it.

Step on the pedal...it goes down, but when you release your foot, it pops right back up.

The park brake control mechanism is released by a pull handle. If pulling the handle does not release the park brake, the handle mechanism has broken inside the control.

The rubber pedal pad and the plastic release handle were available individually. Everything else was only available with park brake control.

1976/79 uses a different control than 1973/75.

 

So I need to purchase the whole assembly to fix it, right. Any way to just release it and never use it again?

 

First, get yourself a bible - Chiltons....Haynes...and familiarize yourself with the Brakes chapter. Then, find that brake adjusting hole in the backing plate, stick a screwdriver (or similar tool) in there....and turn the 'star' dealie such that it gives you more play in the brakes. I believe one turns the tool up to give more play in the brakes. Just enough to loosen them.

Then get under there and trace the parking brake cable from the back to where it attaches to the crossmember and check it for wear. There also should be an adjustment there...threaded rod and nut. Loosen it up if you can.

 

Chances are if the e-brake hasn't been used in 15 years, the cables are probably froze up with rust. Even loosening the brake adjustment may not be enough, may have to manually try to release cable pressure or just cut them off at the drum and replace them with new cables. I had a 1980 F-250 that this happened to. Cables just froze from years of non-use and no lubrication.

 

Good possibility such would be the case there, Hickory1991.