Emergency brake EXPLODED at low speed. Need to reassemble without the brake

TisMe · Post by **TisMe** » 24 Mar 2019, 11:28

Hey everyone, not a lot of time to talk, at work. But today at low speeds, heard an INSANE clunk thinking my freaking engine fell out, but I'm actually missing any friction in my parking brake lever.

On top of that.... the grinding. Oh the grinding. Seizing wheels. Skidding. Wow. Disgusting. Limped to go pick up the work van... but I'm staying in DC all week for work while my garage is 123 miles away.

MY QUESTION: can I remove my e-brake assembly and reassemble everything else, thus freeing the grinding metals and getting me around until I can get home? I actually have a new park brake assembly waiting for me... at home hah!

Would I perhaps just remove that spring under the caliper and be good to go? Any detailed help at all, would be beautiful. Chances are I'm gonna be ripping off my wheel in the gas station where Helga's been sidelined.

She's an '01 XC70.

Thank you, thank you!!

Post by **oragex** » 24 Mar 2019, 11:48

Rather common, the brake shows (handbrake) delaminate, then the metal of the shoes overheats from friction, sticks inside and destroys the drums. You will perhaps need a complete rear hub (may source a used one)

I'm not sure but I believe this is more prone to happen to cars parked on inclines with the handbrake on, but also the drum friction surface with the handbrake shoes is very prone to rust - which would cause the shoes friction material to stick to this rusted surface and un-glue from the metal base. For this reason I like to pull a little the brake while driving, now and then to keep the drum friction surface clean of rust.

TisMe · Post by **TisMe** » 24 Mar 2019, 12:09

Thanks for the input, oragex. If my hub isn't completely wrecked, is it possible to reconstruct everything but without the e-brake shoe's failed components?

Post by **cn90** » 24 Mar 2019, 12:12

Sure, remove the parking brake shoes and debris to go home.

My 2005 XC90 2.5T parking brake shoes were worn at 100K, and drum portion of the rotor missed a chunk.
See the DIY I posted below...

DIY 2005 XC90 Rear Parking Brake
viewtopic.php?t=73074

PS: This is why I recommend people overhaul the parking brake shoes/rotor etc. every 100K or so.

TisMe · Post by **TisMe** » 24 Mar 2019, 12:20

Holy grail, cn90. Amazing writeup! Excuse my ignorance, but... I don't want to cause catastrophic highway failure so... could you tell me exactly which parts I can leave out? If I remove the whole metal shoe, everything else will button back up?

Post by **cn90** » 24 Mar 2019, 12:31

Yes,

Just remove the shoes.
Re-install the rotor and brake caliper.
Then go home and search rmeuropean.com or fcpeuro.com for quality parts.
Don't buy the brake parts from local store.

Post by **abscate** » 24 Mar 2019, 13:06

Shoes and all hardware.

Ziptie the cable firmly to the backing plate so it isn't touching anything moving

Your wheel hub will be fine, no need to replace unless your karmic bucket has been emptied.