V70 Brakes: - Hand (parking) Brake

Bashy · Jan 17th, 2020, 00:13

Hi folks

Something i keep forgetting to ask about is the hand brake, I have to pull hard to get to the final (4th or 5th click) for it to actually stop the car from moving on its own. This seems seems excessive to me, the car will move up to the 5th (could even be the fourth) then it will hold, although, not sure what that will be like on a reasonable gradient, any ideas please?

oragex · Jan 17th, 2020, 00:21

First thing to know is the original shoes do delaminate sometimes and can damage inside the drum. You can also adjust the cable by gently lifting the plastic trim around the lever to get access to a small 10mm nut that can be rotated a little to tighten the brakes. I recommend pulling a little the lever while driving for a short moment now and then, to keep the friction surface inside the drum from rusting. Also, my experience with these cars after about 10 years is that the cables can damaged near the drums: there is a tiny rubber seal there that wears, water gets inside the cable, rusts and the handbrake no longer is strong enough. Replacing the cables is not that easy.

Bashy · Jan 17th, 2020, 00:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by oragex

First thing to know is the original shoes do delaminate sometimes and can damage inside the drum. You can also adjust the cable by gently lifting the plastic trim around the lever to get access to a small 10mm nut that can be rotated a little to tighten the brakes. I recommend pulling a little the lever while driving for a short moment now and then, to keep the friction surface inside the drum from rusting. Also, my experience with these cars after about 10 years is that the cables can damaged near the drums: there is a tiny rubber seal there that wears, water gets inside the cable, rusts and the handbrake no longer is strong enough. Replacing the cables is not that easy.

Thank you for the reply, so it could be one or more of a few things, i would be surprised if its just a case of tightening needed, as it seems quite short, it may even be 3 or 4 clicks, i will have to double check that but i know its not many at all. Your latter idea sounds the more likely culprit, rusty cable, wouldnt find that out until ive stripped the drums down to eliminate the other possibilities, but i will pull on the handbrake (ha, one word lol) whilst drivng and see if that helps for now, ps, i wouldnt attempt the cable replacement, local garage job for that one lol

Maccmike · Jan 17th, 2020, 07:48

The handbrakes on these are sh1t.

Bashy · Jan 17th, 2020, 07:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maccmike

The handbrakes on these are sh1t.

So it could be that its working properly and ts the best it can do anyway?

Clan · Jan 17th, 2020, 09:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bashy

Hi folks

Something i keep forgetting to ask about is the hand brake, I have to pull hard to get to the final (4th or 5th click) for it to actually stop the car from moving on its own. This seems seems excessive to me, the car will move up to the 5th (could even be the fourth) then it will hold, although, not sure what that will be like on a reasonable gradient, any ideas please?

when did you last do any servicing on the parking brake ? you should replace the shoes with every set of rear discs and only use volvo parts as the friction characteristics are designed for a parking brake not for stopping the car .

when all in good condition you should be able to lock the wheels on the 2nd click . first thing is to try and adjust out the slack with the 10mm nut under the lever gaiter .

Contrary to popular belief the cables are very reliable and seldom need attention . The expander device between the shoes needs checking every time you service the brakes , but even so they do not tend to seize .

Bashy · Jan 17th, 2020, 10:03

Hi, I've not done anything to the braking system as yet as the discs & pads look OK, I will have a look under the gaiter and see how much is spare and adjust of needed, thanks.

abdiel · Jan 17th, 2020, 10:15

Have a look at this...

https://youtu.be/-9bk9vt4-c0

I replaced the solid Volvo spacer with these adjusters & my handbrake is now
A1!

Clan · Jan 17th, 2020, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by abdiel

Have a look at this...

https://youtu.be/-9bk9vt4-c0

I replaced the solid Volvo spacer with these adjusters & my handbrake is now
A1!

That is just masking the symptom , best to repair what is causing the fault , The standard handbrake is A1 + when working properly 👍

cheshired5 · Jan 17th, 2020, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maccmike

The handbrakes on these are sh1t.

Not at all. When fixed with quality parts and adjusted correctly, it's spot on.
Mine will hold with 1 click and hold on any gradient with 3 clicks using standard parts and no need for extra manual adjusters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bashy

So it could be that its working properly and ts the best it can do anyway?

No it's not working properly. See above response.

Jan 17th, 2020, 00:13	#1
Bashy Aged Member Last Online: Feb 20th, 2024 09:47 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Weeting	Hand (parking) Brake Hi folks Something i keep forgetting to ask about is the hand brake, I have to pull hard to get to the final (4th or 5th click) for it to actually stop the car from moving on its own. This seems seems excessive to me, the car will move up to the 5th (could even be the fourth) then it will hold, although, not sure what that will be like on a reasonable gradient, any ideas please? __________________ Regards, Bashy MY07 (56 plate) V70 Geartronic 2.4 D5 185bhp 173k, 17", full leather, an auto-dimming mirror and auto wipers are the best it can do - I have added (poorly) limo black, rear camera and parking sensors

Jan 17th, 2020, 00:21	#2
oragex Premier Member Last Online: Jul 26th, 2021 21:24 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Coldnada	First thing to know is the original shoes do delaminate sometimes and can damage inside the drum. You can also adjust the cable by gently lifting the plastic trim around the lever to get access to a small 10mm nut that can be rotated a little to tighten the brakes. I recommend pulling a little the lever while driving for a short moment now and then, to keep the friction surface inside the drum from rusting. Also, my experience with these cars after about 10 years is that the cables can damaged near the drums: there is a tiny rubber seal there that wears, water gets inside the cable, rusts and the handbrake no longer is strong enough. Replacing the cables is not that easy. __________________ Several Volvo Repair Videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ECTts0FSVSOT_c

Jan 17th, 2020, 10:03	#7
Bashy Aged Member Last Online: Feb 20th, 2024 09:47 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Weeting	Hi, I've not done anything to the braking system as yet as the discs & pads look OK, I will have a look under the gaiter and see how much is spare and adjust of needed, thanks. __________________ Regards, Bashy MY07 (56 plate) V70 Geartronic 2.4 D5 185bhp 173k, 17", full leather, an auto-dimming mirror and auto wipers are the best it can do - I have added (poorly) limo black, rear camera and parking sensors

Jan 17th, 2020, 07:48	#4
Maccmike Member Last Online: Feb 8th, 2021 20:37 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: S60 2.0T	The handbrakes on these are sh1t.

Jan 17th, 2020, 10:15	#8
abdiel VOC Member Last Online: Apr 14th, 2024 18:16 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Further North than the Back of Beyond	Have a look at this... https://youtu.be/-9bk9vt4-c0 I replaced the solid Volvo spacer with these adjusters & my handbrake is now A1!

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