Parking Brake Problems

I am having problems with my parking brake. When the parking break is pushed down, the parking brake will not hold on a hill. When i release the brake then i have to pull the lever up with my hand to get the lever to come all the way up to its original position. I have check the bolt to tighten it and it is all the way up and is as tight as it can be. I am thinking that there is a spring missing that is not pulling the lever back up. I think that there is a spring to launch the parking brake lever back up, and it is gone. It may be the parking brake cable is stretch or the brake pads in the back are gone. I would guess that it would be one of those three things.(spring gone,cable stretched, or bad brake pads)

I would like some advice on what may be the cause of my parking break not working and not springing back up when realsing it.

Thanks.

I just delt with that problem on my 89, most likely like mine both of your parking brake cables are froze, i bought both from autozone for 13.99 each but that was with a shop discount. they are both the exact same part no and arent too hard to replace but if the are froze might as well be ready to replace your shoes as they will most likely be prematurly worn out.

ya i got the same problom on my 95 dodge dakota