1997 850AWD Am I Retarded?

[abscate]

Its a cinch your rear rotors have been replaced a couple of times by now, and who knows what brand parts they used? If you hear any funny noises in the parking brake drum, its time to take it off and put new shoes on it,,my linings came off in 2010.

[scot850]

There are NO access holes for the parking brake adjuster on an AWD. As correctly stated you access through the lug bolt holes.

Turn the rotor on the LH side (drivers side) until a hole is at about 7-8 o'clock position It is a faff, but I use a head mounted torch, and a long narrow flat bladed screw driver. Then rotote the rotor until you can see the adjuster wheel. Turn the adjuster until you can't turn the rotor, then back off about 4 notches until it turns freely. Then adjust the RH side (it is in the mirror position or 4-5 o'clock). Then tighten the other end of the cable inside the car until you get about 3-4 clicks for the brakes to bind. The adjuster is in the same position in the car as a FWD below the little panel at the front of the cubby in the arm rest (once you remove the little cover plate).

Hope this helps!

Neil.

[Fogducker]

Thanks Neil, I have the adjustment down pat, just couldn't see the adjuster wheel. Real PITA but found it and adjusted, realize I need to just replace the parking brake pads, will be doing the rotors and other pads while I'm there..........

[scot850]

Weel done! It is a pain to find.I asked the dealer and no one knew how to do this!! Had to phone my brother in Sweden (ex-Merc mechanic and Volvo driver) to find out how to adjust.

When you are in there.... clean and lube the parking brake cable end. Also check the condition of the cables, particularly near the bolted loop near the back wheel on the axle.They normally crack and break there. The cables on the AWD are a PITA to change as you have to lower the rear subframe to remove and replace. I have done a write up in the past on this. Fiddly, but take your time.

Neil.