'95 854T P. brake doesn't hold when faced uphill

Post by **alschnertz** » 29 Oct 2014, 06:24

When I park the car, I'll come to a stop with my foot on the brake; place it in Park; pull up the parking brake handle till it has tension; then continue to pull the handle while releasing the foot brake. I do this to make sure the parking brake is carrying the weight of the car instead of the parking pawl.

Here's my issue...
If the car is parked facing downhill, I use the above procedure and the parking brake engages normally. 4-5 clicks and the car does not move after releasing the foot brake.

However, if I'm pointed uphill, I use the above procedure, but the handle comes all the way up as I'm releasing the foot brake and there is only a slight engagement of the parking brake.

I've adjusted the parking brake and the shoes and hardware look normal.
Not sure what's up.

Post by **cn90** » 29 Oct 2014, 06:47

Same problem for me Downhill vs Uphill Parking Brake issues. I have given up for now (no time to chase this small issue).

I wrote a Parking Brake overhaul in case you need it:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=54614

Post by **alschnertz** » 29 Oct 2014, 10:29

Thanks.
I'm in the same boat. No time. This has been on the back burner since the beginning of the year.
Installed new shoes maybe a year and a half ago. The old ones were no good from a seized brake cable.

Obviously something must be "rocking" in there in that it will only grab in one direction.
I guess I was just hoping for a dope-slap answer.

Post by **cn90** » 29 Oct 2014, 11:23

The root cause is the metal spacer in between. Poorly machined, so it works in the forward direction but not in the reverse direction.

It is the curve piece metal in the photo below, look at the curve piece of metal just below the red arrow tip. This is where the brake shoes rest against.

Post by **alschnertz** » 30 Oct 2014, 06:17

That's interesting.
I wonder if it's not that there was poor machining, but instead it was worn or bent due to the parking brake dragging as a result of the corroded brake cable.
We'll have to take a closer look...when I have time.

Post by **mecheng** » 30 Oct 2014, 07:46

Interesting, what is the fix? Are you able to manipulate the metal somehow?

Post by **whilst** » 30 Oct 2014, 20:28

My '98 S70 does same. Replaced shoes with Autozone DuraLast.
Wonder if it's the aftermarket shoes (poor friction compound), or 'leading' shoe bites better?
Anyone?

Post by **cn90** » 30 Oct 2014, 21:24

If you do a google search using keywords "parking brake works in one direction", you will see tons of people having this issue in all kinds of vehicles.