A parking brake mechanism for a motor vehicle includes a mounting bracket, an actuator arm pivotably secured to the mounting bracket and movable between a brake-released position and a brake-applied position, and a lock operable to releasably secure the actuator arm in the brake-applied position and including a pawl engagable with a ratchet. The pawl includes a metal insert at least partially encapsulated in plastic to form a plurality of resilient contact surfaces to dampen vibrations and reduce noise upon contact. The resilient contact surfaces are preferably in the form of integral leaf springs. |