I NEVER use my parking brakes. I was wondering if I can take the parts out ie: the springs and shoes and leave them out. The springs are pretty rusty and the pads look like hell so is there any reason why I cant just take them out all together?

 

Do you have to have it for inspections?

 

Nope

 

I suppose you can but I certainly wouldn't reccomend it. You're in WV so you should be using it daily lol. In all seriousness though the parking pawl or springs can break or shaft teeth can shear and send your truck barreling into something or worse yet someone. The pic below shows all that holds your 5000-6000lb beast in place. Its a very shallow groove. Think about it.

 

I don't think that's what he's talking about. That's the gear in the transmission when put in park. He's talking about the parking brake shoes, springs in the rear brakes. I had it lock up on me in a Pacifica, too expensive to fix, so I took every thing out and have had no problems since.

 

He was showing the little tooth that holds the truck in place, which can be easily sheared off, leaving you no way to stop your vehicle. So, why not just replace the parking brakes? not expensive, and you never know when you'll need it.

 

Clearly you didn't read my post.

 

Basically what blown ford is saying is that, the spring can break causing the truck to act as if its in neutral and let it roll freely. This is where your parking brake saves your ***. Lol

 

You sir get an A+ for reading and comprehension skills

 

i broke mine 3 years ago and never bothered replacing them cause i needed to replace the backing plate as well.