Which component transmits the parking brake force to the shoe opposite the operating lever?

Prepare for the Automotive Service Technician Period 1 exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

In a drum brake with a mechanical parking brake, the force from pulling the lever must reach the shoe opposite the lever to press both shoes against the drum. That transfer is done by a parking brake strut, a short link that connects the levered shoe to the opposite shoe and converts the lever’s pulling motion into outward force on that second shoe. This is what clamps both shoes to the drum when the parking brake is engaged. The cable simply provides the initial pull, the brake shoe is the friction element, and the backing plate is just the mounting surface.