The e-brake still works, so I don't think it was the clips, but really you shouldn't have to put it in gear since that's what the e-brake is designed for.
Austin Brobst 1997 T-Red Contour SE Bridgestone Potenza's RE 910 Painted Calipers (red) Drop-in K&N filter Aiwa CDC-X207 Deck *Bad wrist pin-currently looking to get SVT engine