XC90 hand(foot)brake

[AndyBe]

I've just changed the rear discs, pads and brakeshoes (for the handbrake). One of the shoes had broken and was locking a rear wheel.
All well and good. I took the opportunity to replace the scabby looking, rusty discs (+ pads) at the same time. Seems to be braking fine, but I've got no hand(foot)brake. Anyone know how to adjust this ? Can't find it

[AndyBe]

In case anyone is wondering, the handbrake cable runs under the centre console of the XC90. You gain access to it by gently pulling off the cover to the left of the gearstick (carpet coloured cover that runs vertical by the driver seat (if you've got a LHD)). I got some instructions from my local friendly Volvo dealer. But I'm fked if I can undertand them. Or adjust it myself. Or even get to it with my limited home selection of tools.
st. fk. Damn and bks. Going to have to take it in to the dealer to have the fking handbrake adjusted !!

[jhfozzy]

On the new vectra, once you've fitted new rear pads / discs, you can't touch the handbrake until you've pumped the footbrake up to pressure.

If operate the handbrake first, you will find that the handbrake will only work if you pull the lever all the way up well past the MOT "five clicks".

My brother and I found out the hard way, I'd read the instructions but failed to inform my brother, I heard the handbrake clicks and went nooooooooo!!. The only solution was to take the brakes off again and wind the piston back in.

Sounds like it could possibly be a similar problem.

Edited by jhfozzy on Friday 17th July 23:22

[valve bounce66]

AndyBe said:

I've just changed the rear discs, pads and brakeshoes (for the handbrake). One of the shoes had broken and was locking a rear wheel.
All well and good. I took the opportunity to replace the scabby looking, rusty discs (+ pads) at the same time. Seems to be braking fine, but I've got no hand(foot)brake. Anyone know how to adjust this ? Can't find it

in which way,poor performance or footpedal goes straight to the floor ?

[AndyBe]

Foot pedal goes all the way down and barely bites.
I've had the wheels & discs off again to check both sides, and everything is as it should be. The new shoes, although new, must be thinner than the old ones. I was afraid I wouldn't get the new discs on (slipping over new shoes) without adjusting, but they went straight on. The adjuster is a pain to get to, especially without the required tool !
I hate little st jobs like this, that normally are a piece of piss. I thought I'd done a great job, swapping discs, pads and shoes. Took no time. All at parts cost price. But no. I can't adjust the fking handbrake !

[AndyBe]

jhfozzy said:

On the new vectra, once you've fitted new rear pads / discs, you can't touch the handbrake until you've pumped the footbrake up to pressure.

If operate the handbrake first, you will find that the handbrake will only work if you pull the lever all the way up well past the MOT "five clicks".

My brother and I found out the hard way, I'd read the instructions but failed to inform my brother, I heard the handbrake clicks and went nooooooooo!!. The only solution was to take the brakes off again and wind the piston back in.

Sounds like it could possibly be a similar problem.

Edited by jhfozzy on Friday 17th July 23:22

Hand(foot)brake is cable operated and runs shoes that sit inside the rear disc brakes.

[valve bounce66]

AndyBe said:

Foot pedal goes all the way down and barely bites.
I've had the wheels & discs off again to check both sides, and everything is as it should be. The new shoes, although new, must be thinner than the old ones. I was afraid I wouldn't get the new discs on (slipping over new shoes) without adjusting, but they went straight on. The adjuster is a pain to get to, especially without the required tool !
I hate little st jobs like this, that normally are a piece of piss. I thought I'd done a great job, swapping discs, pads and shoes. Took no time. All at parts cost price. But no. I can't adjust the fking handbrake !

there is a problem with the shoes or internal disc diameter,i have fitted Volvo parts on this model and as you say,without backing off the handbrake cable it would be impossible to fit the disc.

the cable is a strange set up,the adjuster is on the n/s behind the center console trim,to release the tension you need to remove the c clip (dont drop it under the carpet/seat)then wind back the nurled sleave back past the c clip groove and the ratchet/cable will spring free,and to to tighten after your problem with the excessive clearance between shoes and disc you need to screw back the sleeve back so you can refit the c clip and then you need a special volvo tool a big fk off set specially shaped plyers to pull the inner cable from the outer,its on a one way ratchet untill you get about 5 clicks on the foot brake when pressed hard.