All very well, but what happens if you apply the parking brake leaving the car in N for example and the parking brake loses grip, away goes your car.

Think I will just put transmission in Park first. Appreciate the your responses though.

I didn't think you could take the key out without putting it in park?

That's right. You can't. That's gearbox park by the way.

i've just changed my rear discs/pads/shoes/springs, but couldn't get the handbrake to bite successfully. even on 9 clicks it wouldn't hold the car, and i couldn't adjust it myself on the adjustment bar.

just got the local dealer to adjust, and then put through MOT (just £28 for the adjustment), and at least they have an incentive to do it enough to get it through the MOT. just meant i paid a little more for the MOT than some of the special offers around, but i've always found when i pay full price it tends to pass, rather than fail on a bulb or 2, that the garage that charges £10 for a 50p bulb on a special price MOT.

Agree that its all in the adjustment. I also think you get what you pay for on MOT's. Cheap MOT = Guaranteed to find problems and charge for them.

indeed, i've just checked all my paperwork, and on my 2 cars (xc90 & s60) the last 2 places that charged around £35-£40 failed my S60 on: Sat Nav + Radar Detector obstructing field of vision (all it took was unsticking the suction cup), tracking??, and 2 x 50p sidelight bulbs which they then screwed me for £10 for fitting and although i checked all bulbs before MOT, i couldn't prove the ones they took out were working......

but the last 4 i've had done where i have paid the full price have all gone though.

false economy really trying to get a bargain at (some of) these place as i expect they hope to make up the discounted MOT on the cost of repair.

My 2006 XC90 D5 (185) Auto has just failed MOT due to rear offside parking brake performance efficiency (has only done 48k miles since new). Took to local Volvo dealer who has quoted £380 over and above the £300 scheduled service that the car was undergoing at the same time. Same dealer serviced my car 12 months ago. Surprised to learn that my 'parking brake' can deteriorate to such an extent in 12 months (12k miles)! Have to say - not best impressed, as the dealer (bear in mind this is a Volvo Dealer) also mentioned in passing that my AWD system also appears to be faulty (but was not in a position to give my a more detailed diagnosis of the fault).

Seriously considering writing directly to Volvo UK to express my dissatisfaction - spend lots of money on an expensive AWD car to be told in passing that it is now a 2WD car!!!

sounds about the same as i was quoted to replace rear discs/pads/shoes/springs from local dealer, which is why i did it myself (£160 for parts from Rufe) and then spent £28 getting them to adjust the handbrake as i couldn't get it right.

they're great cars, but can be expensive when they break..

Thanks for the very informative post with pics.

My right side wheel seemed to be a bit more tight than left, need to follow up on it I guess.

One hint though: applying locking pliers to the pedal side, just to support the "Volvo special" pliers, i.e. would not slip so easily.

Excellent, although couldn't find the correct pliers in B&Q so just used some ajustable pipe pilers.
Thx.