should I use my parking brake?

[Jacksonlucas1312]

Here’s my situation. I have a 2021 Ford Ranger, and I’ve used the parking brake every time I park for the past 2.5 years. However, recently, my lines seized, (which I don’t even know how that happened because I used them every day). So now I’m wondering should I spend the money to get it fixed, or just leave them not working (like the mechanics suggested, he also said they will probably just seize again, and that on his own truck he ripped out the whole system).

So my question is, will I put unnecessary strain on my transmission by not using my parking break every time I park? I just don’t like feeling the vehicle clunk forward, even on a very slight incline.

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[RedDakooter05]

You don't need to use it. Personally, I only cycle mine once a week or other week to keep it moving, but I'm willing to disable them if they seize up. Only times I do feel the need is if I'm parked at a steep incline.


If you rather not spend the money on the repair right now, then hey don't. Do it later down the road when you feel like it. Millions of vehicles out there on the road with broken or never used parking brakes and transmissions working just fine.

 

[Jacksonlucas1312]

You don't need to use it. Personally, I only cycle mine once a week or other week to keep it moving, but I'm willing to disable them if they seize up. Only times I do feel the need is if I'm parked at a steep incline.


If you rather not spend the money on the repair right now, then hey don't. Do it later down the road when you feel like it. Millions of vehicles out there on the road with broken or never used parking brakes and transmissions working just fine.

That's exactly what I was hoping to hear! Thank you.

 

[Joeiconic]

I think you need a new mechanic.

 

[airline tech]

The problem with leaving it as is:
Is it the cable assembly that seized up or was it the caliper internal actuator and or pistons?
If at the caliper, which is most likely the caliper will not function as intended which can lead to either the brake not working and or sticking causing premature pad wear.
If this park brake system did not have the design of it being integrated into the caliper then yes you could just leave it as is and never use it if you choose.
If it is just the cable - lube it to free it up.
But it is highly likely that it is one of the rear calipers as the cause, you may be able to pull the caliper and rotate pistons back in to free them up, but the true fix will be to replace it.

 

[Frenchy]

If parking on fairly flat ground it will be ok. If parking on a good incline you should be using the parking break. Also it is a great idea to keep cleaning the undercarriage of the vehicle regularly to help prevent this kind of stuff

 

[bill_AUS]

The problem with leaving it as is:
Is it the cable assembly that seized up or was it the caliper internal actuator and or pistons?
If at the caliper, which is most likely the caliper will not function as intended which can lead to either the brake not working and or sticking causing premature pad wear.
If this park brake system did not have the design of it being integrated into the caliper then yes you could just leave it as is and never use it if you choose.
If it is just the cable - lube it to free it up.
But it is highly likely that it is one of the rear calipers as the cause, you may be able to pull the caliper and rotate pistons back in to free them up, but the true fix will be to replace it.

Agree with this.

Does the US Ranger use the disc brakes at the rear for the park brake? My Raptor which has what I thought were the same callipers uses a separate drum brake.

 

[NotBudule]

Some call it a "parking brake" I always call it "emergency brake" , and have had to use it (not the Ranger)for that very reason , I would fix it ...

 

[Jacksonlucas1312]

The problem with leaving it as is:
Is it the cable assembly that seized up or was it the caliper internal actuator and or pistons?
If at the caliper, which is most likely the caliper will not function as intended which can lead to either the brake not working and or sticking causing premature pad wear.
If this park brake system did not have the design of it being integrated into the caliper then yes you could just leave it as is and never use it if you choose.
If it is just the cable - lube it to free it up.
But it is highly likely that it is one of the rear calipers as the cause, you may be able to pull the caliper and rotate pistons back in to free them up, but the true fix will be to replace it.

Thank you for your advice! I believe it is the drivers side cable that is ceased, (passenger side engages and disengages as it should) and it only hinders the parking brake drum brake, my normal rotor breaks are perfectly fine.

I can apply the parking brake perfectly fine, however when I go to release it, the cable doesn't pull the thing back and it stays engaged. You can see in this video, here I had to pull it back with needle nose to disengage the drum brake.

 

[Muscleford]

Mine siezed several months after I got it and I use it every time I park it. The dealer repaired it and I hsve no trouble since.

Wouldn't it be covered by the 3 yr/ 36,000 Bumper to Bumper warranty? I would have it fixed even if I had to pay to have it fixed.

 

[Jacksonlucas1312]

Interesting, maybe it's a manufacturing error? And I have 95,000km, so I'm out of all warranty... But thank you! I may just pay

 

[ccasanova22]

For those of us who have had a manual transmission and its second nature, I could not imagine not having one.

And yes, it becomes an emergency brake if you have a master cylinder failure.

Had to use it twice in my life and I’m glad it was there otherwise I would’ve ran into a semi or thru an intersection.

 

[rydfree]

Save your money and get a set of these for when you park on an incline if it worries you. Remember to always turn your wheels the correct way when parking on an incline and you don't have to worry in most cases anyway.

 

[Muscleford]

Interesting, maybe it's a manufacturing error? And I have 95,000km, so I'm out of all warranty... But thank you! I may just pay

Sorry, I had no idea your mileage was that high. That's close to 30,000 miles per year, quite a lot of mileage.

 

[LaBalbe]

Interesting, maybe it's a manufacturing error? And I have 95,000km, so I'm out of all warranty... But thank you! I may just pay

Are you sure that you're out of warranty? I just had to look at mine for an issue that I'm having, and term warranty is 36mths/100K km. Given that we're in the same province and that I didn't take an extended warranty, you should still have 5K of km to go on; of course, I have no idea when your 36 started.

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