1996 850 Turbo Parking Brake Adjustment Question

cronce66 · Post by **cronce66** » 17 May 2010, 09:34

Hi,

I just changed out my pad and rotors this weekend, and during the process of removing one of the rear rotors, I broke off the lining of one of the parking brake shoes. Once I replace the shoes, what's the best way to adjust the parking brake? The Hanes manual that I have gives an explanation that seems like a lot of back and forth between the center console and the adjuster located behind the rotor. Is there an easier, faultless way to do this, especially so you don't get any rubbing when the parking brake is not engaged? Thanks for any suggestions.

-Lee

Post by **jblackburn** » 17 May 2010, 09:48

The easiest way is to start with the parking brake handle. It should pull up and engage the brakes before reaching the top. Then do the rest from the star adjustment on the rear brakes.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 17 May 2010, 17:57

This is actually a bit more of a BI-itch than meets the eye. You need to re-center the shoes first. The way I do it is to adjust the star adjusters through the hole on the rear rotors until they just catch. Install two lug bolts and then use a crowbar to pop then brakes free again. Re-adjust the star tensioner and repeat the process.

Repeat the process until the brakes well and truly grab - it usually takes 3 or 4 iterations. From there back the parking brakes off to the "just touching" level of tension with the star adjusters.

From there adjust the cables with the Allen bolt under the center console so that the brakes bite in 3 or 4 clicks.

...Lee

cronce66 · Post by **cronce66** » 18 May 2010, 11:13

Thanks for the suggestions. Ozark, by turning the star adjuster until the shoes just catch, do you mean just enough to stop the wheel if lightly turning by hand? One other question. I'm assuming you're breaking the shoes loose using the crowbar with the two lug nuts as leverage? Thanks.

-Lee

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 18 May 2010, 14:21

Ozark, by turning the star adjuster until the shoes just catch, do you mean just enough to stop the wheel if lightly turning by hand?

Exactly.

I'm assuming you're breaking the shoes loose using the crowbar with the two lug nuts as leverage?

Exactly again.

...Lee

VolvoTurbo850 · Post by **VolvoTurbo850** » 18 May 2010, 17:00

Only other suggestion i would add to this is make sure your cables are not seized. If one of them is then your going to have a difficult time.

I simply have someone pull the handle for the emergency brake and see how much they travel on each side.