Is my parking brake wire correctly placed? Volvo 855

DennisCA · Post by **DennisCA** » 22 Oct 2024, 04:56

Looks like this, I noticed it from like 10 meters away when walking to the car from the supermarket. I could see something hanging down and looking out of place. I don't think the wire is supposed to be run like this, note the zip tie holding it in place too.

What is the correct way for this to be installed?

Post by **scot850** » 22 Oct 2024, 16:58

That is the parking brake cable. Not sure why it is hanging that low as it looks like it is correctly attached at the bracket. The Zip-tie is probably is because the cable was rubbing on the rear of the wheel. There is a poorly designed plastic look that is supposed to be looped around the cable and then riveted to the trailing arm side. As the rivet is aluminum in the steel trailing arm side it is exposed to salt and water causing it to corrode and fall off. The reapir looks like it is trying to 'fix' that problem. If you want to do it correctly, you will need to wire brush the side of the trailing arm maybe 10-15cm from the pivot until you find a slight dimple where the rivet remains are. A small pointed punch or drill bit will clear the hole out.

Neil.

xanthefin · Post by **xanthefin** » 23 Oct 2024, 03:21

Mine is on driver side attached to that hanging control arm link bracket (arm link not attached as was replacing the thing but can see where handbrake cable goes). I am slightly confused of the Dennis picture to be honestly what i am looking at like is that some self modified linkage.

DennisCA · Post by **DennisCA** » 23 Oct 2024, 06:28

That sounds concerning. I'll be putting winter tires on real soon, I'll have to take more photos with the wheel off.

Post by **scot850** » 23 Oct 2024, 08:41

Check the other side. It could be the bracket by the wheel is bent? A bit of a pain, but it may be worth lifting the rear carpet on that side and check that the cable has the retaining loop fitted over the pin mount in the floor near the middle of the rear foot well.

Aftermarket cables can be a problem. I have to redo the whole job with a pair of OE Volvo cables as the aftermarket ones were made wrongly.

This may help too for information:

Sorry, can't find good pictures like Xanthefin shows.

Neil.

DennisCA · Post by **DennisCA** » 23 Oct 2024, 10:22

I swapped to winter tires tonight and I also checked the other side where it looked factory. Duh shoulda looked there right away...

I put a zip tie through the hole for the original mount and attached the cable there. Then another zip tie to keep it from the tire.

Now it's not hanging down like it used to.

One weird thing while changing tires, looks like a missing bolt there?

xanthefin · Post by **xanthefin** » 23 Oct 2024, 11:04

DennisCA wrote: ↑23 Oct 2024, 10:22 I swapped to winter tires tonight and I also checked the other side where it looked factory. Duh shoulda looked there right away...

I put a zip tie through the hole for the original mount and attached the cable there. Then another zip tie to keep it from the tire.

Now it's not hanging down like it used to.

One weird thing while changing tires, looks like a missing bolt there?

On first picture yehey its there!

The "missing bolt" is just illusion. Its just plate made to be able used on both sides of the car.

Post by **scot850** » 23 Oct 2024, 12:17

The parking brake cable should have a bolt hole that lines up with that hole in the bracket above it. It needs to be attached there to anchor the cable. It should have a T30 possibly M6 bolt holding it to there.

Neil.

DennisCA · Post by **DennisCA** » 23 Oct 2024, 21:59

There is a hole in the cable yes, I pulled one of the zip ties through it and the matching hole on the car body. I didn't have anything suitable at the time so I just used a zip tie, got me close to how it ought to sit.

I also noticed the cable is already worn through from before by the tire. I am hoping I can repair this using self vulcanizing tape or something similar.

Post by **abscate** » 24 Oct 2024, 06:22

If its just the rubber sheath worn, it can be wrapped with tape to keep water out. Self vulcanizing tape will live longer, and prosper.

Darn - I lost an opportunity to sell you that missing bolt on the strut. (as above, its a hole for either left/right fitment)