V70 Brakes: How often check and replace handbrake shoes?

[BlueRubber]

Just wondering how often I should check and replace my hand brake shoes?
Also is there a way to see how worn they are without removing the wheel, caliper, brake disc etc?

The car has done 139,300 miles and the brakes shoes were last replaced at 122,072.
I recently had to adjust the handbrake at the brake lever and it required quite a lot of turns on the adjuster.

Car is a 2002 v70

[JoeNinety]

Given their propensity to self destruct, I would, as a minimum, check every three to six months, much the same as you might do for all braking components (but then that would be a weekly!). That said, they are only really doing work "at rest". If you know when they went in new, it helps, if you do not know that, then check them, especially for de-lamination of the linings.

No real way of checking their condition without having the brake discs off.

[Georgeandkira]

Tough question

1) Removing a brake caliper and bracket every 3 to 6 months seems excessive.

2) The timing used for inspection of the glide pin lube might be appropriate.

3) Given that you just ran your adjuster a lot maybe NOW is a good time to see how the past 17K have treated your new shoes. What quality level of brake parts do you think were used?

The thing to fear is the glue giving out. The linings are glued not riveted.

As a precaution, when driving during wet weather and after a long stint of braking, I apply the handbrake to warm the shoes and hopefully dry them a bit.
Frankly, the design of our parking brakes is so lame I doubt the full length of the shoes lies against the drum completely.
I know I'm not squeezing them dry. I just want to heat 'em up a little.

[BlueRubber]

Thanks for the info all.

It sounds like I need to bite the bullet and remove the calliper and disc to check it, just a little nervous about that as this would be the most in depth work I have done on my car.
When checking them am I just looking for wear levels and if it looks like the friction material is coming away from the backing metal?

Also can I get away with just checking one side or should I check both?

I am not sure what quality of brake parts were used, it was fitted by a small local garage when with the previous owner.

Also what is a safe brand to go for if they need replacement?

[JoeNinety]

You will need to check both sides, they can wear/deteriorate differently.

In terms of the standard of different brands, you pays your money, you takes your choice. In your case, best to go via an approved/professional Volvo Parts supplier. If I was to recommend a brand, someone would just come along and "dis" it, so I won't. All brake parts "should" be made to a certain standard to be sold in the UK.

There is a good video on youtube about dismantling the rear brakes, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t62t5vY_bA. The things they didn't mention:

1. wind back the nut for the handbrake cable.
2. The brake disc may not just fall off with one bang of a mallet - I had to use a puller to get mine off.
3. The shoe retainer springs can be a PITA to remove and refit. I got a set of shoes and a new spring kit off eBay.
4. When fitting new shoes, ensure that the top shoe does not get snagged on the top rear hub bolt, otherwise you won't get the disc back on.

You may need to be prepared to fit new discs and pads while you are at it!

[Georgeandkira]

Have a dust mask ready as brakes make lots of ...dust.

A compressed air line is helpful.

Have a full can of brake cleaner at the ready. Have some wadded up scrap rags or some such to catch the filth as it sluices off the brake hardware.

You want the spring kit so you have the option to cut the old ones.
Eyeball 'em to ensure the new ones match the old ones.

I'd go for the Volvo brand shoes as the ones in my car are Volvo and grabbed well. There's no telling what cheaper parts' QC is.

Have a thin lube like plain silicone ready for the lever block.

Have a wire wheel (drill driven) ready. There'll be a bunch of cleaning you want to do. Wheel-to-rotor contact surfaces are always full of crumbles. Rotor-to-hub contact surfaces demand cleaning.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by BlueRubber

Just wondering how often I should check and replace my hand brake shoes?
Also is there a way to see how worn they are without removing the wheel, caliper, brake disc etc?

The car has done 139,300 miles and the brakes shoes were last replaced at 122,072.
I recently had to adjust the handbrake at the brake lever and it required quite a lot of turns on the adjuster.

Car is a 2002 v70

change the shoes and retaining springs every time you renew the disc ,
technically the shoes don't wear of course unless the cables are sticking or car is driven with the handbrake on , this happens a lot with the XC90 ! ... Just look after it and don't ignore strange grinding/squeak noises and it will give you excellent service .

[marcb]

Have to admit we rarely use the handbrake as it's auto - I know that's against advice and it's prompted me to use it more to stop it seizing.

[Brendan W]

17000 on new shoes. They are only settling in which will take a bit of time as they are seldom if ever used when moving.
Watch for a loud clack when reversing from parked and or a sudden increase in lever travel of the order of 40mm.
If in doubt go in and check. Look closely for daylight under one or other end of the shoe liner. Mind you if you have noticed a big increase in travel there will be a lot of daylight. Some on here have opened up to find the liner disappeared?!
If you remove them, best practice is to replace the fiddly springs. I have reused them. I replaced the shoes in 2010 at 92000 as a precaution. There was a rash of broken hubs about that time. They were replaced again in 2016 at 164000 with a new disk. Haven't been in there since.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by marcb

Have to admit we rarely use the handbrake as it's auto - I know that's against advice and it's prompted me to use it more to stop it seizing.

Do you realise that in P both the front wheels are still free to spin in opposite directions? You really Must use the parking brake it is the law for a reason of course !