John. The slot on the strut without the spring captures both the brake shoe and the parking brake lever. The slots on the shoe frame and lever should align, and if they don’t, the e-brake cable is either too tight or it’s seized.

You know what? I’m going to yank a wheel and drum, and take a picture. If I ever pass through your neck of the woods, I’m holding you to that steak dinner. I like mine crunchy, encrusted in a thick layer of carbon.

It’s 6:17. Let’s see how fast I can yank a wheel drum, and shoot a picture. 6:28: pulled, shot, doctored the photo, wheel on, and done.

Notice how the brake shoe and e-brake lever are aligned? (The arrows reference the e-brake lever.) I took numerous shots, but I couldn’t get a clear one which shows that the e-brake lever sits about 3/16” forward of the brake shoe.

If the e-brake lever sits aft not before the shoe, the e-brake cable is frozen or it’s too tight, and that’s what’s causing your problem.