The automatic parking brake release thread

[85crownHPP]

Having this feature on the p72 and enjoying it enough in the '91 made me want to fix this on the p72...

The first pic is pretty much all the parts involved - I pulled them all because I was hoping I could also install this in the 85... but the whole parking brake pedal assembly is different.
You have the white crescent vacuum slider (the part that usually goes bad) which is dialed by a little lever/pin that clamps onto the selector shaft behind it.
The black hose supplies vacuum from the vacuum tree on the other side of the firewall, and the white hose applies vacuum to the release diaphragm which is attached to the park lever assembly.

The typical 'solution' to the crescent moon plastic piece leaking vacuum (the usual cause of non-function) is to pull the black hose and plug it.
Or, you can replace it if you can find a good one Just a fair warning, the tiny upper bolt holding it on is hard to get out, and VERY hard to get back in.
Its a good test of cramped finger dexterity

[gadget73]

I'm surprised your 85 didn't come with it. I was under the impression it was a standard feature.

[andymac0035]

The 81' I had didn't have it either.
Of course it didn't have a lot of things....
No A/C, power windows, or locks, no (factory) tape deck.

[85crownHPP]

I think my 85 started life as a base model if it makes a difference... its got base door panels with the 'dealer added' power locks and windows.
It's got tilt wheel, ATC, originally one power seat and cruise control, but no automatic headlights or brake release.

[MattsLincoln]

please tell me step by step on how to remove the crescent moon thing. going to the junkyard tomorrow for some. would like to know step by step.

[85crownHPP]

It sounds easier than it is - after you unplug the two vacuum hoses, its just two small bolts holding it in place. The top bolts is a bear to get to, and its one of those weird tiny bolt sizes. You'll need to have a good 1/4 socket set with lots of small ones to get the right size. Try to find one in the lowest mileage car possible, they are usually all bad.

[MattsLincoln]

then it should pop off right. also are they all the same from 1979-1991

[sly]

it's the ford OEM size... 7/32 IIRC. If it's not that... it's 3/16 or 1/4. replaced that on my 88 and yeah... those screws are a PITA to get at. I ended up using my snake driver to get at them.

[1987cp]

it's the ford OEM size... 7/32 IIRC. If it's not that... it's 3/16 or 1/4. replaced that on my 88 and yeah... those screws are a PITA to get at. I ended up using my snake driver to get at them.

I would have expected something like 6mm or 7mm, as Panther chassis parts have a tendency to be all metric.

[85crownHPP]

then it should pop off right. also are they all the same from 1979-1991

Id guess they are the same, possibly aero ones might work too. If you pull one out and compare, the info would be great!
Im pretty sure they are the same at least up to '89, but the steering columns changed in '90 so the selector shaft (and things attached to it) may have changed too.

*edit*
I see an E4 part number on the one in the pic, that means 84-89 should be the same for sure. Don't forget to check the towncars too!

[gadget73]

I want to say the stuff on 90+ is different. The shifter setup is totally different on those, and I could swear from the 0.3 seconds I spent looking underneath of one that the release thing is differently shaped.

[pantera77]

I want to say the stuff on 90+ is different. The shifter setup is totally different on those, and I could swear from the 0.3 seconds I spent looking underneath of one that the release thing is differently shaped.

It is, my 91 doesn't have anything remotely similar to the half-moon thing.

[sly]

I would have expected something like 6mm or 7mm, as Panther chassis parts have a tendency to be all metric.

might be... my socket set is a wall-grabber set that fits both SAE and metric.

[1987cp]

Nifty. What brand do you have?

[sly]

"As seen on TV"

Metwrinch

http://www.metrinch.tv/