pitted brake disc

[crlande]

Only used when car is parked so I think it does not matter on shoe however, you look to be be in need of springs and star nut adjuster. While in there might as well replace both cables also.

[abscate]

You guys in MA have a functional e-brake test as part of your state inspection. I would use Volvo or Bosch brand from FCP or tother fine vendor here.

[Eddystone]

Only used when car is parked so I think it does not matter on shoe however, you look to be be in need of springs and star nut adjuster. While in there might as well replace both cables also.

That's an awful lot of work, disassembly, reassembly and adjusting to say nothing of the expense if your cables are working properly.

I will say, however, that I have learned to never remove the rear rotors unless I have a set of e-brake pads or know that they were replaced recently. I also have a set of springs. Sometimes the lining falls off the shoe even if there isn't interference with the rotor when you pull it off. The linings are glued on and simply fall off when you happen to glance at them from the corner of your eye, if they are old.

We may all be Volvo lovers, but this parking brake system was something that must have looked good on paper and was too expensive to redesign once they learned what lousy design it turned out to be in actual use.

[scot850]

I think Textar makes a set and FCP Euro carries them I think as well as another brand (Meyle?) as well as Volvo OE. PRices are $25-45 US. I have used Textar with no issues.

Biggest issue with parking brakes are dragging cables so have someone slowly pull the parking brake lever while holding the end with vice grips to resist the pull. Then see when they return the lever to off position if the cable can easily an smoothly be pulled back. Any resistance is probably rust or broken strands in the parking brakes. If you replace the cables on a FWD I recommend do NOT use Pro- parts cables. They are crap and in my case were made too short to work. Had to do the work over and used OE with no issues.

Make sure the lever crank in the rear hub area on the end of the cable moves freely and the little dowel pin is not too loose. Also recommend using new hardware where needed.

I hear many complaints about the parking brake system but the usual issue is few actually maintain it or service them until they break.

Finally make sure the drum face is clean and rub with fine emery paper to remove any glazing on the surface.

Volvo has a bedding in process and a 'clean' process for the brake. Can't recall the details but it mainly involves driving with the parking brake dragging for a short distance to clean the shoe faces and the drums.

Neil.

[abscate]

You have to back the shoes all the back to take the drum off otherwise you ruin them. If you pull the brake rotor without backing off the adjusters you have self inflicted damage. I got 15 years out of my T5 shoes with daily use, not bad.

[enotslim]

I backed them off as far as possible using the star wheel and loosening the cable. Right rotor slipped off but just barely. Left would not. Tried every rotation position over and over. A little progress but then nothing more. Until it finally squeezed over and off with some strong rotation. New rotors fit easily. I'm skeptical that pushing or even disconnecting the cable entirely would have worked better but maybe. It seems the rust lip was just too thick and damaged the pad on the way out.

[abscate]

With the brake released inside, the cables won't be putting any tension on the shoes unless someone has incorrectly adjusted the shoes at the e-brake handle, without first adjusting all slack out at the star adjusters

If I did open up brakes that were 20 years old, it's time for new shoes anyway.

I'm still on my original OEM CABLES, FROM 1998-11. They are really high quality

[erikv11]

For the P80 cars I am still running, the original e-brake cables are/were ruined on 3 of 4 cars. Only the 95 still has the factory cables.

All failures were kinked and breached outer cable jacket back near the wheel hub, so that the inner cable rusts out, frays, etc. The S70 I already replaced them, my two wagons are currently sans e-brake.

I have a replacement set of Volvo branded cables in the garage, originally they were destined for the 95 but I will re-think that after the 98 V70 cable(s) failed sometime last year.

[enotslim]

The retainer loop snapped on one of the e-brake shoe brackets while freeing the attaching bolt in preparation to install a new bracket. The non-bolted end had also slipped out from under the retaining tab. See photo. The loops on both the front and rear brackets actually were already bent toward the axle line such that the shoes slid fore-aft with minimal force. Not sure how this could happen if previous e-brake work was done correctly.

PB Blaster and patience should eventually free the bolt for the new bracket. My question is - is this dangerous in the mean time? It's actually not very different from the situation before the loop broke because the shoes were already free to move foe and aft due to the bent loops. This shoe can now move "sideways" but there isn't anywhere for it to go except perhaps to widen the contact zone a bit. Are these parking brake shoes at more risk of locking the wheel while moving? Will they work like this? They don't need to work but they do need to not lock the wheel.

Related, can anyone recommend specific aftermarket brake cables for 1998 V70 T5? Some are 1/3 the price of Volvo branded but some reviews aren't good.

2019-03-09 16.43.26_800px.jpg (183.62 KiB) Viewed 504 times

[WhatAmIDoing]

I think the consensus is that Volvo only for the parking brake cable unless you want to get half way through the job and start over.