Strange clunk in rear end

[alcraig]

2001 XC70 - 196000kms
Sometimes, after the car has been parked for a day or two, as I start to back out of the driveway, and after only one revolution of the tires, I hear a nasty clunk coming from the rear. Then, sometimes as I begin to go forward, I hear a similar noise.
I know better, but it makes me think that the brake disc have stuck to the rotors. But if that were the case, I'd get the noise the moment I begin to reverse.
Could there be a pending failure of the diff or some other component of the rear drive?

Thanks
Al Craig

[BenFr]

Not sticking handbrake shoes by any chance?

[alcraig]

Don't use the hand brake. But maybe they just naturally rest against the surface of the drum and stick.
Thanks
Al

[bgarston]

Originally Posted by BenFr

Not sticking handbrake shoes by any chance?

I would have said so. Take my advice and get it looked at without delay else it'll cost lots more ££££'s to put right.....I know from bitter experience. Aside from cost, to put this in to context, I ignored similar issues and the rear wheels on our V70 locked up at 30mph...there weren't just skid marks on the road!

Ben

[Georgeandkira]

My handbrake shoes clunked as you describe in reverse and about 40% of the time when then going forward. There was a pop and a bell like resonance to it.

My lining material was all gone from one shoe and 40% to 75% gone on the other three...tons of dust. I was soooooo lucky the "whirly smash" didn't occur.

Definitely check 'em out immediately. Replace with Volvo shoes only.

[Simon Jones]

With the handbrake, it's a case of use it or loose it. It needs to be used regularly and applied gently when moving to keep the inside of the drum rust-free.

[alcraig]

Simon,
On my way to work this morning, I applied a little bit of hand brake as I drove away from the house. But what I noticed is that in order to make the brake stick at all, I had to pull the handle all the way. I recall on my old 145 there was a simple adjuster on the cable under the car that went to the rear end. Is that still the case with an XC70?
Next chance I get I will remove the rear wheels and rotors and examine the shoes and drums.

Thanks

[MarvinMitt]

Yeah, just pull up the plastic collar where the handbrake cover meets the central console and you see adjustment under it.

[bugeye]

The handbrake friction material is know to delaminate from the metal backing plate. If one of the delaminated pieces becomes jammed within the brake housing, the wheel can lock up possibly destroying the suspension knuckle. Suggest inspection and repair immediately.

[alcraig]

Nearly a year later, I finally got around to pulling the right rear wheel and rotor, Sure enough, the brake shoe had delaminated and the lining was just hanging loose. Temporarily, I just cleaned off the shoe and replaced all. As stated previously, I rarely use the hand brake.
But today, while scavenging at he wreckers, I pulled all 4 shoes and plan on installing soon.

Thanks for everyone's help

Al