Hand brake adjustment.

[Vipers]

Not being a motoring guru, I only drive them, just after a short answer to my question.

I had my Volvo S80 in for a brake problem, which resulted in replacement front pads and discs.

Now I never use the handbrake, but when I picked the car up minus a few hundred quid, I tried the handbrake anyway.

I was always led to believe about 5 clicks was right, this time I only managed ONE.

I asked to see one of the mechanics, told him what the problem was, he tried it and said it was fine.

I only make short trips, but today noticed a sort of hot smell from the rear offside, after a longer drive. Jacked up the car and as I turned the wheel it was binding, it goes back tomorrow for a fix.

So my question simply is how many clicks is reasonable, and I am sure ONE isn't right.

[amusingduck]

Car should hold on a relatively flat surface with 1-2 clicks IMO.

[TooMany2cvs]

Vipers said:

Now I never use the handbrake

Why on earth not?

Vipers said:

So my question simply is how many clicks is reasonable, and I am sure ONE isn't right.

It needs to hold without getting anywhere near the end of the lever travel, and it needs to fully free off when released. Anything else is a random number.

[peterg1955]

TooMany2cvs said:

Vipers said:

Now I never use the handbrake

Why on earth not?

I suspect it's probably an automatic in which case handbrakes are rarely used as Park is just as secure - I think the only time the handbrakes on my previous automatic cars were used was when it was being serviced and I went to collect it.

[TooMany2cvs]

peterg1955 said:

I suspect it's probably an automatic in which case handbrakes are rarely used as Park is just as secure

I've never been a big fan of replacing gearboxes after the car's been nudged hard by some numpty parking next to it.

[PositronicRay]

I always use it. Holds the car in traffic (stationary in gear) and takes some strain off the gear box parked on a slope.

I adjust it until I can't turn the hub, then back it off so I can feel a slight drag.

[Vipers]

peterg1955 said:

TooMany2cvs said:

Vipers said:

Now I never use the handbrake

Why on earth not?

I suspect it's probably an automatic in which case handbrakes are rarely used as Park is just as secure - I think the only time the handbrakes on my previous automatic cars were used was when it was being serviced and I went to collect it.

Exactly, and it once got stuck on, the material inside broke up, severely scored the internal drum and cost mega bucks to fix.

[TooMany2cvs]

Vipers said:

and it once got stuck on, the material inside broke up, severely scored the internal drum and cost mega bucks to fix.

Probably seized from lack of use.

[alecescolme]

TooMany2cvs said:

I've never been a big fan of replacing gearboxes after the car's been nudged hard by some numpty parking next to it.

There is no other option on a auto, you cannot leave it in anything else than park, whether or not the handbrake is used.
I use both btw when parked.

[Vipers]

TooMany2cvs said:

Vipers said:

and it once got stuck on, the material inside broke up, severely scored the internal drum and cost mega bucks to fix.

Probably seized from lack of use.

No, I used to use it until the above happened. That's when I stopped using it.

[Impasse]

alecescolme said:

TooMany2cvs said:

I've never been a big fan of replacing gearboxes after the car's been nudged hard by some numpty parking next to it.

There is no other option on a auto, you cannot leave it in anything else than park, whether or not the handbrake is used.
I use both btw when parked.

I can't remove the ignition key on my auto unless P is selected.

[klunkT5]

Not sure if the S80 has seperate handbrake shoes like my 850 does, The correct way to adjust these is to slacken the cable off, Adjust the handbrake shoes untill they lock the disc then back off untill disc rotates with no binding then do the final adjustment on the cable, I also put axle stands under the rear spring pans so the suspension is loaded, I like slight binding on the 1st click which ends up about 5 clicks max though it depends how coarse your handbrake ratchet is.

[Vipers]

klunkT5 said:

Not sure if the S80 has seperate handbrake shoes like my 850 does, The correct way to adjust these is to slacken the cable off, Adjust the handbrake shoes untill they lock the disc then back off untill disc rotates with no binding then do the final adjustment on the cable, I also put axle stands under the rear spring pans so the suspension is loaded, I like slight binding on the 1st click which ends up about 5 clicks max though it depends how coarse your handbrake ratchet is.

Thanks for that, sadly I am not into DIY, but will post what they tell me tomorrow. The guy at the dealer told me some time ago 5 clicks was good, that's why I queried the one click.

[welshys90]

It varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, Suzuki recommend between 4-7 clicks.

Generally you want it to be free when off, dragging lightly on one click and solid by 3-4!

One click is too much!

[Vipers]

Goes from bad to worse. Took it in, adjustment, 5 clicks on the handbrake now. Drove home 8 miles, got out the car and could smell that aroma of something hot, touched the centre of the wheel, really hot, wasn't that bad yesterday.

Back to the Volvo garage..............

[TooMany2cvs]

Vipers said:

Goes from bad to worse. Took it in, adjustment, 5 clicks on the handbrake now. Drove home 8 miles, got out the car and could smell that aroma of something hot, touched the centre of the wheel, really hot, wasn't that bad yesterday.

Back to the Volvo garage..............

So whatever's binding, it's not due to handbrake adjustment.

[Vipers]

TooMany2cvs said:

Vipers said:

Goes from bad to worse. Took it in, adjustment, 5 clicks on the handbrake now. Drove home 8 miles, got out the car and could smell that aroma of something hot, touched the centre of the wheel, really hot, wasn't that bad yesterday.

Back to the Volvo garage..............

So whatever's binding, it's not due to handbrake adjustment.

Agree, it would seem not, but odd that it was a lot worse after they adjusted it. The plot thickens. I think for some reason, the brake shoes are binding on the drum. Shall find out later.

[Vipers]

Sorted, the caliber was sticking, tried to fix, no good, new one coming tomorrow, oh well. Thanks for input guys, time for a glass of vino colapso.