Handbrake problems

[P4]

My other half has had her XC90 on the road for over a month now. After waiting for the right manual box one she knows it's a good 'un and loves driving it. Except for one thing - the hand(foot) brake. I thought these things had gone out of fashion in the early 90's but here we are.

The pedal cap is so small and up against the bulkhead that she finds it difficult to get any purchase on the pedal. The pedal itself is so stiff it creaks as you press it down. The adjuster doesn't want to know. I've oiled what I can see but to no avail.

So, is there any specific grease points on the cable assembly, if not is a new cable likely to make any difference and, more importantly, does anyone have any knowledge on retro-fitting a 'normal' handbrake from a S60 for example?

December 2006 on a 56 plate

[Tannaton]

Don’t think anyone has ever changed it from a foot pedal, it’s the interior trim that kiboshes it.

It’s a simple mechanism - your year of car will have the manual adjuster which is easier to work with.

The cables are plastic coated so don’t need lubing, the operating cantilevers in the rear hub can seize sometimes (but then it wouldn’t release).

[P4]

The handbrake works okay when it's pushed down far enough. It's getting it to push down that's her problem. The pedal is stiff and creaks as though the pedal or cable is stiff/rusted but oiling it makes no difference.

The interior trim isn't a problem, it's whether there is enough room between the console and seat to get all the fittings in.

[TruckbusUK]

Originally Posted by Eddie Nuff

The handbrake works okay when it's pushed down far enough. It's getting it to push down that's her problem. The pedal is stiff and creaks as though the pedal or cable is stiff/rusted but oiling it makes no difference.

The interior trim isn't a problem, it's whether there is enough room between the console and seat to get all the fittings in.

Check the expanders in the rear disk, they can seize and cause this, esp if the parking brake has had little use.

Hope it helps.

[Tony500]

When we got our 07 xc90 the pedal seemed too close to the trim so I bent it out a little and in return made it easier to get your full foot on it and push it down. My other half has the same problem but taking the brake off, I’ve out adjusters on the shoes and took a little shoe pad material on the top and bottom so they look like the Volvo ones as aftermarket ones come like two half moons. Bites much better now.

[john langrick]

Hi, it just might be worth checking if yours needs the same pressure as other xc90s. Could you have a look at one a similar my at a local garage? It might be your significant other just does not have the strength tho operate.. I guess as it is a manual, the hand break will have been used more and will be used more than the rest who have automatics.

I read here that those with automatics rarely use this break other than when it comes to not. Then we find that they need work to get them up to scratch, my point being that yours, as a manual, should be well used and should be as good as most.

Hope this helps.

John l

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by john langrick

Hi, it just might be worth checking if yours needs the same pressure as other xc90s. Could you have a look at one a similar my at a local garage? It might be your significant other just does not have the strength tho operate.. I guess as it is a manual, the hand break will have been used more and will be used more than the rest who have automatics.

I read here that those with automatics rarely use this break other than when it comes to not. Then we find that they need work to get them up to scratch, my point being that yours, as a manual, should be well used and should be as good as most.

Hope this helps.

John l

I tend to put mine on (automatic) but it’s realy a token gesture and sometimes I don’t bother, what a PITA it must be to use it. I would be tempted to drill it and fit a larger peddle. My size 11s just tees on it but with small feet mine would be real difficult, stiff and requires lot of pressure!

[SwissXC90]

I had my parking brake renewed in March 2018, here's the resultant performance reference:
https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showp...27&postcount=1


Back then it held like this:
Parking brake performance (foot pedal clicks)
0 clicks: car rolls freely, no drag
1 click: noticeable drag on a flat surface, at idle the D5 is only slowly moving the car forwards or backwards depending on selected gear.
2 clicks: easily holds the D5 motor at idle on a flat surface, in D or in R. Holds the car on a slight gradient.
3 clicks: solidly holding the vehicle on a flat surface to a medium gradient
5 clicks: solidly holding the vehicle on a 17% (steep) gradient, pointing uphill, with motor in D (motor is providing some brake assistance). Take motor out of D and the vehicle starts to roll backwards down the slope ever so slowly.
6 clicks: holding the vehicle solidly on a 17% (steep) gradient, pointing uphill or downhill, with motor running and gearbox in D, R or N.


Now, in September 2018, it takes 7 to 8 clicks to hold on a steep gradient facing forwards, which means the pads have bedded in and the cable needs a bit of adjusting.
I'll be requesting the cable be adjusted at my next annual service in December

[P4]

Originally Posted by Tony500

When we got our 07 xc90 the pedal seemed too close to the trim so I bent it out a little and in return made it easier to get your full foot on it and push it down.

Did you take the pedal off the car in order to bend it out?

[P4]

Don't get me wrong the handbrake works it just needs a lot of pressure even when I push it down. She is struggling with her size 5's. The brake release is okay, in fact it releases with a bang. I'm hoping a bit of grease on the expanders, adjuster and the handbrake hinge might ease the problem.

With an automatic it would never have been an issue but she waited for a manual, and the right one at that, so she's going to have to learn to live with it as the rest of the car suits her down to the ground.