Why does the brake pedal squeak when released?

These terms relate to the manner in which we apply the parking brake. A hand brake refers to a ratcheting lever assembly that's pulled into place with the driver's hand. These are often found in smaller automobiles and can be located on the lower dash or integrated into the center console on vehicles with bucket seats.

They incorporate a release for a lever type hand brake in the form of a push button built into the handle. This button connects to a rod that releases the ratcheting mechanism. A foot brake is often associated with large passenger vehicles or pickup trucks.

Located to the extreme left of the brake pedal the ratcheting mechanism is set with the drivers left foot and held in position with a pendulum lock. The release for a foot applied parking brake is usually located on the left side lower dash. When the driver pulls the release, a cable leading down to the ratcheting assembly releases the lock mechanism.

Although a ratcheting emergency brake actuator, whether it's foot operated or hand-operated, are for the most part reliable, problems can still develop. This is especially true for high mileage vehicles with manual transmissions since they use the parking brake more often than on an automatic transmission automobile(http://autorepair.answers.com/mechanical/why-is-a-transmission-overhaul-so-expensive). One of the most common problems is when the ratcheting assembly refuses to hold in the applied position.

The mechanical portion of the actuator boils down to a pendulum that locks against a set of pointed metal teeth.