MOT Failure - Foot brake 'efficiency'
 

Hello All

Took my 2013 XC90 for its first MOT on Monday and has failed due to a braking efficiency on the foot brake of 13%.

Spent a while on the forum and on Google / Youtube and if I've been reading correctly this could be due to 2 things:

1. Adjustment of the cable via an adjuster somewhere near the front passenger seat underneath the trim

2. New shoes required on the rear wheels.

Is this correct? If I need to get it up to 16+% do I need to replace the shoes (might not be able to get the parts before the retest)? Is there anyway to tell if its the shoes or not?

The brake pedal does require quite a few clicks to fully engage. Is that relevant?

Sorry for the novice questions but this is new to me.

Very common problem and loads on here have had the issue including me.

Search Parking Brake in the XC90 section you will find lots of info.

Get the manual adjusters that replace the H bar in the rear drum assembly and then follow the info in this thread.:teeth_smile:


The internal adjuster is under the left hand side transmission tunnel trim which just pulls off. Read up on how to do this adjustment. It's easy but the procedure must be followed.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PAIR-VOLV...IAAOSwJclZpx9g



https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...ake+adjustment

Yup, I agree with that.

Mine had observations each year, for the last few years, re ineffective handbreak, until my indie fitted adjusters.

Last year, had adjusters fitted prior to mot and delighted there was no mention of hsnxbreak and it actually does work well.

Also use genuine Volvo shoes.

I understand the ideal fix would be to get it working without the adjusters, which, I understand, were designed for another Volvo model. But you will be surprised at how they improve efficiency on an XC90.


But do use the break occasionally as far too easy just to leave it in park.

Oh l

Agree with above.

It really helps if you always use the Parking Brake when you park. Also occasionally drive for a few yards with the Parking Brake half-on. That will wipe off corrosion in the drum.

Use it or lose it!

As well as whats been said above I always on the way to the MOT drive with the food brake on a Cpl of clicks to clean up the shoes, works a treat.

Good move and something that I do very briefly as a matter of course every few weeks.

I have New Volvo shoes , springs and manual adjusters as well as a correctly adjusted interior one and the handbrake is adequate and passes an MOT comfortably.

I think that the overall design is just poor.

Ok when new but not when a few years old.

Great advice from Just Phil - I also put aside some time a few weeks before the MOT is due to check the parking brake and make adjustments as necessary. This year I bit the bullet and bought new disks as one side very rusty - got away with it last year using the adjusters as suggested but never happy with the result but it passed (easily!!). Now, with new disks albeit using the original pads I can park the beast on our sloping drive with 3-4 clicks. Splendid.

I fitted the H adjusters to mine as well as new shoes and springs a number of years back. I have never had an issue with it for the MOT since, in fact the tester stated that it was the best XC90 he’s ever test % wise. It probably helps that mines a manual so i have to use it. I also do the drag it for a bit every so often, more so in winter when it is damp.

Good advice above but you must also check the inside edge of the brake drum/disc for corrosion - if they've become corroded then they are scrap. Rusty steel is harder then clean steel and a shiny smooth surface results with much less friction.

Discs in good condition, genuine Volvo shoes (only around £30 online) are they key, the in-drum adjusters simplify setting it up and further improve effectiveness.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. Would I need to replace the rear rotors on a 6 year old car? Is that likely? Set of rotors and pads £460!