Parking brake won't latch
 

The parking brake will engage when pushed down but it will not stay down.
What is supposed to keep it latched in when pushed down? Is there a ratchetting device involved?

yea kinda is the release handle stuck from when it was last pulled out? if it is spray it with some pb blaster or something.... play with it for a little while but that is probly the issue or the ratchet part is stripped

The release device is checked good.
Must be the ratchett deal then.

can u hear it clicking like a ratchet when pressing it down? if its not thats the problem hope this helps u

Something is broken internally if the ratchet won't hold.

It could be the hairpin spring, but it's not available by itself. Nothing else is either (except the release handle), so...the entire assembly has to be replaced.

E4TZ2780C .. Parking Brake Control Assy / Available from Ford

Fits: 1980/83 F100 // 1980/91 F150 & Bronco.

MSRP: $161.97 // FTE sponsor PARTSGUYED.COM price: $116.62.

Thank ya'll for the information.
No I dont hear any ratchett sounds when pressing.
I will be tearing in to it now but with a lot more insight than before I posted.