Doing rear brakes...do I have to mess with the e-brake?

carboncow · Post by **carboncow** » 15 Nov 2011, 06:31

Doing my sister-in-laws 2007 XC90 AWD's rear brakes this weekend. Everything looks like my V70/XC70 setup.

Does any of the reinstallation of the rotors/pads have any effect on the e-brake system that requires an adjustment. It currently appears to be adjusted correctly.

Post by **Juan62** » 15 Nov 2011, 06:39

Take a look at the e-brake shoes to determine if they are worn out and need replacing. Two weeks ago, I changed my rear brake calipers w/new pads and left the e-brakes alone. It still holds at 3-4 clicks up. Your call!

Post by **fazool** » 15 Nov 2011, 06:57

As mentioned, it really depends on how much is left on the e-brake shoe. The adjustment for the e-brake is a socket at the handle end (not unlike adjusting your bicycle hand brake at the hand lever).

If you use your parking /e-brake often it may be prudent to replace the shoes while you have the rotors off. If you are one of those who never use it, and the shoes seem fine, just leave it.

The only time you will have adjustment issues is as follows:

Someone uses the e-brake often (parking etc) and it wears down. They shoes get thin and they adjust the cable at the handle. Later, they replace the shoes with nice new thicker shoes. These wont fit into the rotor so you haev to loosen the adjustment cable. Not a big problem though.

On average, I replace my front brake pads about every 1-1.5 years, my rears about every 2 years and my parking about every 3 years.

carboncow · Post by **carboncow** » 15 Nov 2011, 07:37

We never use e-brakes here in Ohio, or infrequently.

Do they wear a bit from normal drag?

Post by **fazool** » 15 Nov 2011, 08:30

No, these are not preloaded against the braking surface. There will be a tiny bit of drag but once they wear down it will be clearance. Thats the purpose of the self-adjust mechanism on main drum brakes - it adjusts for wear, keeping the shoes just close to the surface with a tiny bit of drag. Thats also the way the caliper cylinders work - they push the pads out on disc brakes so they lightly touch the disc.

Parking brakes, however, have no need since they dont have to respond with instant contact, so they run clear when they wear down.