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Just about all cars have either a parking brake or emergency brake. The Dynasty is no exception.

Usually these systems work pretty good- since they are so simple. Handle or pedal (depending on the car) controls how much tension is on a long steel cable- when the brake is engaged the tension is really high, when it is disengaged the tension is low and the cable has some slack. Since the Dynasty uses rear drums, this cable system basically "pulls" the shoes inside the drums to brake the car.

However it is not unheard of for these systems to wear down.

Rust, dirt and other similar deposits along the cable system can prevent the cable from moving which could either keep the brakes from working or keep them from disengaging. Likewise, the shoes inside the drums in the rear can stick and also keep the brakes on that way.

When the system is in good shape and clean, usually any problems are due to the cables needing adjustment. On the Dynasty, there is a nut attached to a threaded pole undernieth the car on the passenger's side (near the krail). This nut can adjust the tension of the cable system- basically you dont want the brakes to keep you from moving when the system is off, and you dont want the tension too small or the e-brake/parking brake won't ever work.

If the system is not in good shape, one solution is to replace the cables involved, as well as the shoes and/or drums in the rear braking system. The system is independant of the main braking system, so no brake fluid is used.

As a preventive measure, it maybe a good idea to use the ebrake/parking brake for a short period once a week to help keep it from rusting in place. Do NOT let the car sit for a long time with this brake system engaged or it will stick- I found this out the hard way one time while my car was on jackstands for a couple months- I put the car back together and the rear wheels wouldnt rotate!

After lubing the cables and hitting the rear drums with a hammer- I was able to free the driver's side but the passenger's side was not so lucky and I needed to have the car taken to a shop to have the rear brakes taken apart, lubed, cleaned and put back together!