1999 V70 Emergency brake

paredown · Post by **paredown** » 29 Jun 2016, 08:57

I replaced the all the e-brake hardware last year when I did the back brakes, but did not get them adjusted properly.

This year, I failed the test since they noticed so. I decided to tackle the job.

I followed the excellent procedure that Ozark Lee outlines in this thread:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... php?t=8187

I loosened the cable adjuster in the cabin.

With the wheels off, I adjusted the star wheels until I could hear rubbing, then back off a little. When I pulled the e-brake lever, the wheels could not be turned. (You could see that the driver's side that I had started to adjust was polishing the drum area; other side looked untouched.)

Put it all back together, adjusted the tension in the cabin--but still could not get enough stopping power to keep the car from rolling.

What did I miss?
Do you need to leave them set up so they actually rub to get enough purchase on the shoes?
If it is cable problem (although it does feel like it pulls fairly solidly) where to I look to diagnose?

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 29 Jun 2016, 09:11

Did you check out this post?

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=61043

It shows a pretty clear picture of where the cable tends to fail for most of us. If it's broken where it attaches to the frame, there's a pretty good chance it needs to be replaced. Mine is broken here too. Sometimes it locks the wheels. Sometimes the wheels stay locked for a little before it lets go. I only ever pull it two clicks, however. My wife used to pull up on it a lot and then you'd hear some weird spring popping sound. Since, we've been trying to park on flat ground as much as possible. It's one of those jobs that I need to do but have been putting off because of how long it'll take...

Good luck.

paredown · Post by **paredown** » 29 Jun 2016, 09:17

Thanks--perfect thread that I hadn't found yet. I'll go take a look!!

Post by **scot850** » 29 Jun 2016, 10:43

It is a pain of a job, but not that bad on a FWD. AWD are way worse. Plan for a few hours and the biggest job is getting the center console out and lifting the rear carpet to feed the cable up to the lever.

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 29 Jun 2016, 11:13

If the cable hasn't stretched or been replaced there is no need to touch the adjusters in the cabin. Turn the adjusters in the brake drum tight until they stop moving, then back them off 2-3 clicks. You may still have some scraping and even some resistance, but that gets the shoes nice and close to the drum. Three clicks on handle will even pass Norwegian inspection.

paredown · Post by **paredown** » 29 Jun 2016, 21:35

Cables were OK--just needed to wind those adjusters a little tighter--not sure what I was feeling originally. but as they settled in they are working fine now.