S60 Brakes: Handbrake disaster

[dzidek]

I just had a same disaster yesterday

[Georgey dee]

Oh no!! Does the car give you any warnings at all (Like poor handbrake tension) before the brakes rip themselves apart??

[Brendan W]

Repalced mine recently. 03 V70 D5 94000mi. Handbrake had stuck on once or twice when reversing out the drive. One shoe had about two inches of the friction material unglued but still in place. On the shoe pads there were raised lines of shiny material corresponding to the grooves in the drum like material was binding to the shoe friction material. What are those grooves for anyway?

[ptruman]

Originally Posted by Georgey dee

Oh no!! Does the car give you any warnings at all (Like poor handbrake tension) before the brakes rip themselves apart??

I'd also like to know.

My handbrake has always been a bit "soft" (i.e. parking on a hill, the handbrake rarely stops the car rolling slightly, unless it's left in gear as well, but it's been checked by the garage it goes to, had the handbrake tightened (separately), and Kwikfit had the wheels off last week and said nothing - other than the FRONT discs/pads need doing.

[Paul240480]

Originally Posted by ptruman

I'd also like to know.

My handbrake has always been a bit "soft" (i.e. parking on a hill, the handbrake rarely stops the car rolling slightly, unless it's left in gear as well, but it's been checked by the garage it goes to, had the handbrake tightened (separately), and Kwikfit had the wheels off last week and said nothing - other than the FRONT discs/pads need doing.

Well mine passed it's MOT (Frenchy one) in March 09 & it was working.

When I replaced the shoes a few months back most of the friction stuff had either 'gone' or was loose in the 'drum'. The handbrake did get slowly worse till it was useless. So really I left mine too long.

Really if you do not know when yours was last done I'd suggest you take a look.

I recently helped a mate do his 96' 850TDI - rear discs, pads & handbrake shoes. I'd noticed signs of a seized calliper & suggested he looked at it as a 'job lot'. He replied that he'd paid Volvo in St Nazaire to do his discs & pads & they did not even mention the H/brake!

We did the deed & needless to say the friction parts of the shoes were crumbling.

The disc on the seized side was knackered too.

[hermo]

Thats not nice. Think i'll take another look at my scored back discs now...

[ptruman]

Just had my car back from t'garage (new backbox, front pads & discs) and I asked about this (i.e. signs to watch out for).

Although the chap hasn't seen any damaged ones (I did say come look at this thread - ow!) he said the friction material/pads are just stuck on with glue, and if they wear/get loose, you'll get knocking when changing direction from forwards to reverse - so maybe listen out for that!

[dzidek]

Hi guys

Mine where seized every now and again. Usually when car wasn't used for a couple of days and when I tried to start to drive my rear wheels where seized so I used more accelerator to brake it (not a good idea!)
I thought it does happen when I cleaned my car or after rain (rust on the brake discs) but it wasn't that and I disregard that issue.

I have to change now a hub carrier which cost £350 + VAT from Volvo and handbrake shoes, springs, cable, etc.
I managed to get one (hub carrier) from scrapyard for £92 delivered which should be here on Monday. The labour from Volvo garage 270 + Vat just for the hub carrier.

My advice here is to not ignore signs of an issue and keep checking your handbrake, otherwise be prepared for a very expensive repair.

I'm gutted

[Paul240480]

Originally Posted by dzidek

Hi guys

Mine where seized every now and again. Usually when car wasn't used for a couple of days and when I tried to start to drive my rear wheels where seized so I used more accelerator to brake it (not a good idea!)
I thought it does happen when I cleaned my car or after rain (rust on the brake discs) but it wasn't that and I disregard that issue.

I have to change now a hub carrier which cost £350 + VAT from Volvo and handbrake shoes, springs, cable, etc.
I managed to get one (hub carrier) from scrapyard for £92 delivered which should be here on Monday. The labour from Volvo garage 270 + Vat just for the hub carrier.

My advice here is to not ignore signs of an issue and keep checking your handbrake, otherwise be prepared for a very expensive repair.

I'm gutted

My T5 did this after a wash, if H/brake left on after. My current GLT does too. Either take it for a spin directly after washing to 'dry the discs off'. Or (as I now do in our off road parking area & if it's safe) leave the handbrake off & slip it into gear.

[Clan]

Another tip change the shoes when you change the rear discs , the time period is about right to prevent any trouble in the future .. only an extra £28 or so ... The right thing to do though is to get a second hand hub , it makes sense ...