2007 XC70 Rear Brake Change Disaster

goldsbar · Post by **goldsbar** » 17 Nov 2013, 06:07

Hi - posted this on another forum but this one seems to get more action and be more repair oriented. Here it goes:

When replacing the rear rotors on my 80,000 mile 2007 XC70, the passenger side was really hard to get off (believe this was original rotor). The parking brake, which was off, seemed to be stuck on the inside of the rotor. I "broke" the initial bond with a crowbar but the rotor was still stuck on the parking brake, which was coming out with the rotor. I finally got it off but sort of trashed the top push spring. Put everything together, the parking brake still worked but seemed to require more pull. Doesn't matter as you'll soon see. BTW, I did try several less forceful options.

Test drove the car and the wheel was making tons of rubbing noise. I was afraid the parking brake might be self destructing. Took everything off again and removed the entire parking brake. Basically trashed the springs as they were really hard to get off. Put everything together and still noise. It wasn't the parking brake, but somehow the rotor - ordered on Amazon a while ago and don't remember the brand - was hitting the dust guard. Tried to bang in some spots with a hammer (always a good idea) but still rubbing. Got frustrated and took off the backing plate. Actually, destroyed the backing plate is more like it as I couldn't figure out what I needed to take off to fit it over the axle end.

So...assuming I want to fix all of this (not 100% necessary?). Backing plate seems expensive ($67) for what it is but fine. Parking brake springs are cheap. Problem is, how do I get the new backing plate on. Do I need to remove the hub? I saw the write-up on this forum and it doesn't look too bad, but I would have to but a hub remover (expensive?) and risk damage(?) to the axle. At some point I need to know my limits... Is this necessary and relatively easy?

Post by **oragex** » 17 Nov 2013, 10:35

Mine was the driver's side where the rotor what hard to slide off, the hand brake shoes didn't release. I think it's easier if the parking lever adjusting nut is released to the maximum.

If those various springs are bend or too loose, the shoes will touch to the side of the drums, and make noise while driving.

Unfortunately I have no tips for the backing plate. What is broken, the aluminum stopper?

goldsbar · Post by **goldsbar** » 17 Nov 2013, 18:58

The whole backing plate is now essentially trashed since I took it off without taking off the hub (it doesn't fit). The rotor was actually rubbing on the plate - wondering if it's out of spec or they sent me the wrong rotor. It is the right diameter and does work, but definitely rubbed on the plate in a couple of spots.

Now my main concern is how hard it is to take off the hub assuming that's required to put the new backing plate on. Can't see how it can be done otherwise. Parking brake is okay except for the trashed springs which are cheap online.

Post by **jimmy57** » 17 Nov 2013, 21:39

xc90 uses a self adjusting foot parking brake. TO get it to release you need an assistant. Apply park brake. Get under vehicle and pull firmly inboard on both cables and have some release the parking brake. As park brake releases there is an instant in the pedal travel where you can get extra slack that will give you extra space allowing old rotor to clear parking brake. My suspicion is your prying to get old rotor off was what deformed the rotor shield caused the rotor to contact it.

The shield is between the spindle and the axle bearing flange. Replacement requires bearing removal.

ON EDIT: My mistake I see XC70 and I substituted "XC90".

On all other P2 models you can only loosen parking brake handle adjustment to get slack in park brake. Sticking rusty cables are a common reason the brake will not back off. I often can get them to relax by pulling the cable housings away from hub to get the cable to release inside housing to give slack .

Post by **vtl** » 18 Nov 2013, 06:03

Get yourself VIDA installed on your computer, where you can read removing/installing procedures before touching nuts.

goldsbar · Post by **goldsbar** » 18 Nov 2013, 07:08

vtl wrote:Get yourself VIDA installed on your computer, where you can read removing/installing procedures before touching nuts.

VIDA? Sounds interesting, but I can't even Google it. What does this stand for? Thanks.

Otherwise, is removing the rear hub as "easy" as it looks in the step-by-step on this site? Or am I going to spend hours trying to get it off after 5 years of NJ salt and have the thing fall apart in my hands when it finally comes off? I hate giving up on these things, but don't want a multi-part disaster.

Post by **xHeart** » 18 Nov 2013, 08:06

A timely post.
I am preparing to service the rear. Replacing hub assembly is in my to-dos. some more here https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=60081

Post by **regent** » 18 Nov 2013, 09:32

VIDA? Sounds interesting, but I can't even Google it.

Here it goes:
https://www.google.com/#q=volvo+after+s ... ostic+VIDA

Thanks