What's the purpose of the parking brake "cap" button?

[roscoefj60]

Sorry for the novice question but I haven't quite figured out the purpose of the Cap or button on top of the middle of the parking brake.

Can someone explain what this is for, or how's it's different from most other parking brakes that don't have this feature?

 

[onemanarmy]

It threads onto the end of the cable for adjustment

 

[roscoefj60]

It threads onto the end of the cable for adjustment

Is it used in the normal daily function of the parking brake?

Or only needed very rarely when an adjustment is needed? (When/why would that be?)

 

[dmjay]

Hey Rosco, nice to see you're still on the forum.
I was told 40 years ago when i asked the same question that it is for releasing the brake, IE, if some strong arm had engaged it so hard that you couldn't release it then that knob was to back it off until you could. Not sure if it is true but it shut me up as a teenager.

 

[CruiserTrash]

It's used during the setting/adjustment procedure for the parking brake - check the Chassis & Body manual for more details. Notice that the end of the parking brake cable is threaded so it fits into that "cap". It's not used during normal/daily operation.