1998 V70 rear brake (shoe) trouble

brunocerous · Post by **brunocerous** » 10 Sep 2017, 19:39

Greetings,

After reading a few posts here on replacing rear brakes and shoes, as well as adjusting ebrakes, I finally decided to tackle the rear brakes on my V70.

The hiccup came when reassembling the brake shoes. I had quite a bit of trouble getting the large spring on the bottom in place. Once I got that done, with some uncertainty, I went to replace the small spring at top and managed to snap one hook end that holds the top of the shoes together.

I rebent the end of the spring into the shape of a hook and managed to reattach the top of the shoes. in addition to that, the brake shoe assembly somehow seemed bigger than the old, worn-to-the-metal set I removed. When I put the new rotor on, at first it didn't quite fit, but I got it in with some coaxing.

Today, the slight rubbing sound I heard from the rear, later morphed into a louder, grinding sound with a clunking with each wheel rotation. While I would like to take it apart again to have a look, I fear that the top spring has come undone, or has broken. Does anyone have an idea where I might be able to find a replacement? Do I hit the junkyard?

Or is there something else I should prepare to deal with?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 10 Sep 2017, 20:38

If it were me, I'd replace all of the brake hardware since you just did the shoes. Cylinders, springs, hoses, etc. Clean the heck out of it, re-assemble and then bleed the brakes. Are the drums in spec after being turned? If they weren't turned, you may have a lip that is making contact from how the previous shoes and the drum bedded and it tends to either make a metallic grinding noise or a squeal. The inner-redneck in me had a tendency to get rid of it with an angle grinder but getting them turned is a better/safer solution. The problem with getting them turned is you never know how much they're going to have to take off until it is too late. Depending on price, availability, and budget - replacing the drums may be a better option.

That snapped spring needs to be replaced in any event.

I've reused brake cylinders in the past, but sooner or later they always start leaking. If you're low on funds, maybe plan to do so at the next brake job.

Pro-tip: I use a little bit of brake grease where the shoes make contact with the backing - it can eliminate potential squeaks from utilization of the brakes. It doesn't take much, and you don't want to contaminate the shoes with it. Only grease the backing at the rub points. A little dab will do you.

The clunking would lead me to take it all apart now if you're able to do so. The longer a problem goes on, the more expensive it becomes.

Was there already a noise or defect that lead you to this overhaul? Are/were the adjusters functioning correctly?

You should be able to get the spring as part of a brake hardware kit. Even aftermarket will be better than a broken spring.

brunocerous · Post by **brunocerous** » 10 Sep 2017, 20:48

Sorry, I should've mentioned that I replaced the shoes, rotors and pads. Everything else seems to be functioning ok, although the disc had some deep grooves, and there was a worsening squeak. I'd had the rear brake kit parts but just hadn't gotten around to swapping them out.

: Rear hub V70; IMG_20170909_152544853.jpg (1017.77 KiB) Viewed 2384 times

brunocerous · Post by **brunocerous** » 10 Sep 2017, 20:50

It seemed to fit all right.

: V70 new rear rotor and pads; IMG_20170909_162947342_HDR.jpg (1.1 MiB) Viewed 2380 times

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 10 Sep 2017, 21:58

Ah, e-brake with shoes and caliper/disc primary. Ignore half of what I said...

Are you getting excessive brake dust on the rear on that side or is it on par with the other side in the rear? If excessive dust, I'm thinking caliper or brake hose. I doubt that's the case.

If you apply the e-brake while going forward does the noise get worse or better? In reverse? While regular braking in either direction?

Happen to check the hub/bearings for play while you were there? Sometimes a failing hub/bearing can do a number on the brakes as far as symptoms and noise. That said, if you weren't getting that excessive of a noise before, my bet would be on the e-brake spring/adjuster.

Did you adjust the adjuster on the e-brake shoes all the way in before reinstalling the rotors?

Is it only the left rear or both rear brakes exhibiting these symptoms?

May wish to re-grease the rails those pads slide on. *Estimated positioning*

: V70Brakes.PNG (408.55 KiB) Viewed 2357 times

Post by **abscate** » 11 Sep 2017, 05:15

There is a chassis break on those shoes in 1999, did you order by VIN ? they need to match the originals or they won't work well. I would replace that spring, but in impressed you could bend a spring steel end without snapping it.

Blast all the brake crud out of there with a water jet, dry with paper, spray with WD40 to eject water, dab dry with paper again. Adjusters need to be all the way retracted to refit new rotor/drums

brunocerous · Post by **brunocerous** » 11 Sep 2017, 07:05

Thank you, gentlemen!

Looks like I'll be digging back in there this morning. I'll get new pins in there too, while I'm at it.

Abscate, would the chassis change affect a 1998? The right side spins well with no weird noises or snags. The spring I broke and rebent was the tiny, wire-like one on top, not the heavy one. Please don't be too impressed.

Do you know where I could find that tiny spring? I don't see it at FCP or the major chain auto stores. Sigh.

brunocerous · Post by **brunocerous** » 11 Sep 2017, 10:08

OK, apologies for the worry-wart demeanor. It happens occasionally when I venture into unchartered territory.

This morning, I stopped by an awesome, local auto-parts store (Buy Wise) that had a Beck Arnley brake spring kit for the V70. Unfortunately, they didn't have the caliper pins or the brake pad retaining clips in stock. But this puts me back in business. I'll try to update when I get back in there.

Thanks again!

: IMG_20170911_110600842.jpg (1.34 MiB) Viewed 2321 times

Post by **abscate** » 11 Sep 2017, 12:22

Not bad.

Dont sweat the pins too much - thats a non-floating caliper (not the kind dates of Kennedys fear) with two pistons that squeeze the shoes. They don't have the hangup issues (!) that a floating caliper has as long as the pins arent terrible

Yours are about a 7-8/10, not too bad.

I might have a spare set, too. I think I bought some and they came with the pad set I bought, as well

brunocerous · Post by **brunocerous** » 16 Sep 2017, 07:42

Quick update: The hardware on the left rear has been replaced, and the parking brake now activates for the first time in the four years since I've had the car!

Should I go ahead and replace the springs and retaining clips on the other side, or hold off?

Thanks again for all the feedback!

New springs and clips:

: New top and bottom springs on the brake shoes, with new retaining clips.

: The old retaining clips.

: The old, broken spring that I previously reshaped.