940 1994: Parking Brake Adjustment

[writer100]

My parking brake suffered from an excess of slop. Not only did the parking brake handle go up quite a bit in securing the brake, but the brake seemed to allow the wheels to rotate a few degrees before locking. In technical terms, it was Loose-y Goose-y.

This is a simple adjustment. Start by removing the ashtray in the backseat. It is spring-loaded in the bottom, and secured by two stops in the top. To remove, open the ashtray, and press down against the springs to allow enough room to clear the stops. Then remove.

Next you need to remove the plastic panel. It is secured by two tabs in the top and two plastic clips in the bottom.

top two tabs of console panel

Its removal, like many things in life, is simple but not necessarily easy. By depressing the clips, the bottom should release, followed by the top. Just be patient, because the plastic is fragile. After x amount of jiggling and profanity, it will come out, revealing the adjustment mechanism.

adjusting mechanism

The adjustment mechanism consists of two parts: a locking sleeve, and an adjusting bolt. The adjusting bolt protrudes from the locking sleeve. If you wish to tighten up your brake cable, turn the adjusting bolt counterclockwise using a 17 mm open-end wrench while holding the locking sleeve stationary. A turn or two should do it. The Haynes manual prescribes a recommended tension of 3-5 clicks. When you're finished, turn the locking sleeve clockwise until snug to secure.

The result is a parking brake which locks securely with minimal travel.

While you're in there, you may wish to replace the console light. It is a dealer only item and cost me $4.62.

now the light works!

[billofdurham]

Thank you. I am putting this in the Repair Database.

Bill.

[darmstrong]

Appreciate the post and pics, but there are a couple of corrections needed, I think.

Regarding the plastic panel behind the ashtray:

"By depressing the clips, the bottom should release".

Depressing usually means to push down. I did so, and broke one of the plastic tabs off. Actually you need to pry up, such that the catch under the tab rises above the plate in front of it, and then you can pull the bottom outwards.


Regarding the adjustment:

"The adjustment mechanism consists of two parts: a locking sleeve, and an adjusting bolt. The adjusting bolt protrudes from the locking sleeve. If you wish to tighten up your brake cable, turn the adjusting bolt counterclockwise using a 17 mm open-end wrench while holding the locking sleeve stationary"

The larger diameter sleeve towards the front, is actually the adjusting nut. Turning this clockwise with a 27 mm wrench, tightens the parking brake. The 17 mm fitting on the smaller diameter shaft towards the back, is for holding the cable (if necessary), while adjusting the front 27 mm nut. This 17 mm fitting is part of the cable's outer jacket, and can't be revolved without springing back. There is no actual "locking" provision for this adjustment.

Thanks,

David

[Volvo1man]

Yes, I found the same things when I adjusted my e-brake. Still, a quick and easy fix to a long-term annoyance.

[writer100]

I stand corrected regarding the two clips. This time around I used a small flat screwdriver to lift up each clip slightly, which released each side, allowing the panel to come out. Thanks.

[lenk2]

Thanks guys, this is exactly the same fix for my 1997 S90 which I just finished.
Len