Parking Brake Pedal - Help Requested!!!

[t1971Chally]

Hello everyone!!!

So today I was hooking up the intermediate cable on my 71 challenger.  Got it installed then tried to set the parking brake.   Found out my parking brake pedal would not catch when depressed.  So, I was curious if I was engaging the parking brake so I had my wife come out and depress the pedal while I tried to turn the wheels.  The wheels would not turn....had her release the pedal and the wheel would turn.  So, I know the brake pedal is engaging the parking brake what I am not sure about is why the pedal will not latch when depressed. 
I thought I would ask you guys for your opinions before I go and tear out the pedal assembly (especially if it is something simple that doesn't require me to)?  Any thoughts?  If I disconnect the cable and depress the pedal by hand I can feel/hear the ratcheting but it will not latch.

Any help would be greatly appreciated....

Thanks
Twiles

[Bullitt-]

I know the pedal has to travel some before the ratchet engages. Could your cable be adjusted so short that it is not getting to that point?

[ShelbyDogg]

Push your release handle forward while pushing the pedal and see if it holds.  The spring should be pushing it if the plastic bushing is still there.

[ntstlgl1970]

Also check to see that the release rod isn't bent, over the years, people miss the pedal and hit the release lever with their foot. If the release rod isn't straight the light return spring won't be able to push the rod out enough to engage the ratchet.

[t1971Chally]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the suggestions!  I went out today and looked again.  I disconnected the cable from the pedal tried to get the pedal to engage and hold.  At first, it did not hold.  Reached up and messed with the release pulled and pushed it a few times.   All of sudden the pedal started catching.......cool!!!  Reconnected the cable and it works!!!!  So thanks....just wished I knew what it was.   Oh well, one more problem I can check off of my list!!!

You guys are awesome!!! This site just flat out ROCKS!!!!

Thanks,
Twiles

[ShelbyDogg]

You need spray-grease those parts up there.   Oiling it might drip it down on your carpet.

[t1971Chally]

ShelbyDogg,

Good Idea!!!  What do you think about lithium grease? 

Twiles

[ShelbyDogg]

That will work, that is what I meant since I have a can of it.  If you pull the whole assembly out you can use regular grease and see why it was stuck. I think there are only 2 nuts and one bolt that hold that in there. You still have to pull the kick panel and loosen the sill plate to take that off though.