V50 Brakes : V50 handbrake 1.6 Drive

[Bac2ba6]

Hi folks after some advice from you knowledgeable people
Its a 1.6 Drive
1st off the rear brake disks what diameter are they ?
Most places seem to list them as 280mm but the Haynes manual says 295mm ?
2nd the handbrake I've read can be a bit quirky .
It's not holding very well and upon inspection the adjustment on the hand lever is at its highest point so there's no more adjustment . the problem I've found is that the handbrake is holding fine on the driver's side but very weak on the passenger side . I've checked the pads and there's loads left on them , there possibly only about a third worn so not even half worn yet .
Are the cables prone to stretching if so would it be more likely the center lever one as there no more adjustment on it ?
The car had stood for a few months prior to us getting it so could it be something's seized on the passenger side?
I'm fairly competent with brakes but would like a plan if action to check or replace if anyone knows common problems like this ?

Thanks in advance for any info

[StatusRed]

The rear discs should be 278mm, it's the same across the models and engine types / sizes.

I can't help much with the hand brake but on some second hand calipers I've seen the spring that is used for the hand brake come out of position, which may have happened on one side? Worth checking.

In the attached image the green circle is one end of the spring correctly positioned the red circle is where the other end of the spring currently is (incorrect) and the yellow circle is where it should be (correct).

You could also try to look to see if the hand brake cable has come loose from its position but that's about as much advice as I can offer I'm afraid.

[iainmd]

If the handbrake cable starts to corrode within the sheath it sticks and loses strength. I had that on my S40 and had to have the handbrake cable replaced on the side that wasn't holding. Because it corrodes within the sheath it's almost impossible to know if that's the culprit until you remove it but my guess would be that it is.

[eastendvolvo2010]

Easiest way is to pop a cable off the problem side and operate the calliper by hand and see if it works and also operate the cable and see if this moves correctly

[Bac2ba6]

Originally Posted by StatusRed

The rear discs should be 278mm, it's the same across the models and engine types / sizes.

I can't help much with the hand brake but on some second hand calipers I've seen the spring that is used for the hand brake come out of position, which may have happened on one side? Worth checking.

In the attached image the green circle is one end of the spring correctly positioned the red circle is where the other end of the spring currently is (incorrect) and the yellow circle is where it should be (correct).

.

thats a great pic thanks . also to the other replys its given me a good starting point as am hopeing to strip the lot down on saturday and check everything and grease what may need greasing ( slider pins ect ) .
also it will be why most suppliers are saying the disks are 280mm . not the 295 haynes says !!!!!!

am going to be replacing the disks and pads at some point but was waiting as theres loads left on the pads and the disks are just about within tollerance for the thickness .

Thanks again as did look at that spring but thought nothing of it so will have agood look useing that pic as referance .

[StatusRed]

Originally Posted by Bac2ba6

thats a great pic thanks . also to the other replys its given me a good starting point as am hopeing to strip the lot down on saturday and check everything and grease what may need greasing ( slider pins ect ) .
also it will be why most suppliers are saying the disks are 280mm . not the 295 haynes says !!!!!!

am going to be replacing the disks and pads at some point but was waiting as theres loads left on the pads and the disks are just about within tollerance for the thickness .

Thanks again as did look at that spring but thought nothing of it so will have agood look useing that pic as referance .

Good idea to re-grease the slide pins, I use silicon grease.

The springs should be much easier to look at with the wheel off, I hope you find the issue!

[Bac2ba6]

Originally Posted by StatusRed

Good idea to re-grease the slide pins, I use silicon grease.

The springs should be much easier to look at with the wheel off, I hope you find the issue!

Thanks . Grease is one thing Im not short of as I run a classic vehicle aswell lol