12 replies to this topic

[Rurik]

Weird problem. I just bought the car a week ago, and as soon as I got onto my inclined driveway, I pulled up on the parking brake, left it in neutral (I was going to play around with the interior) and the car started rolling back. The handle clicks up normally, and stays in place, but the brakes didn't engage. I made a service appointment (this upcoming Monday), and continued driving the car throughout the week.

I've noticed that the parking brake is very intermittent in its use. Some days I'll set it and the car will start rolling. Other days I set it, the brake engages, and the car squats down. In the latter instance, the brake works great, as I sit inside and try to rock the car back and forth to move and it won't. Then I drive 10 feet away, set the brake again, and it doesn't work.

I'm just curious how this happens, as I haven't seen it before. The dealership did a full Maryland state inspection on it Friday and apparantly overlooked this problem because it worked when they tested it.

[Bay13]

Needs to be looked at. Don't know what the incline you using the brake on, but there is a limit, but if it is not one of the hills in San Francisco, it should hold. Could be several thing; THe cable needs adjusting, rusted inside rotors, etc. Make sure you let them know it works sometimes and others not.

[jwmerrill]

I have the same problem with both of my MT C70s. When parked at the bottom of my driveway, the parking brake will not hold the car(s). I've had the brakes adjusted and was told that they are fine. Must be that the incline of my driveway is greater than the limit you mentioned, but I never had a problem with any of my other vehicles.

jwm

[Bay13]

but I never had a problem with any of my other vehicles.

Hear this one a lot. Kind of a statement that has to be made by you cause it's more than likely true but not really information that a Volvo Tech could use for anything except for thinking of wise cracks to make.

5-6 clicks is what the hand brake should be adjusted for. When the rear rotors are replaced or off the car, the parking brake pads need to be looked at for wear, or to see if they have come apart from the backing plate. If everything looks OK they need to be cleaned with lots of brake clean to get all the dust thats built up in there, to ensure they will hold on the inner part of the rotor. The cable system needs to be checked to ensure that they are not binding and do infact pull the brake shoes to hold on the inner part of the rear rotor.

[jwmerrill]

Hear this one a lot.  Kind of a statement that has to be made by you cause it's more than likely true but not really information that a Volvo Tech could use for anything except for thinking of wise cracks to make.

I guess I deserved that!

Edited by jwmerrill, 01 May 2005 - 04:24 PM.

[Rurik]

Thanks for the responses. As far as the inclines, my driveway is a very light incline. But, I've also tested the car on very steep inclines and it held up fine (when it worked).

As far as my driveway:
http://www.thebaskins.com/volvo/

Now, we'll see if they try to blame me in some part, as I got bored and painted the calipers this weekend

[Bay13]

I guess I deserved that!

Actually you don't desreve that, you are a good contributor to the site. It's Sunday afternoon, I hear lawn mowers going out side, (work being done) and I'm using the key board as an excuse to stay lazy. It truly wasn't personal.

[jwmerrill]

Actually you don't desreve that, you are a good contributor to the site.  It's Sunday afternoon, I hear lawn mowers going out side, (work being done) and I'm using the key board as an excuse to stay lazy.   It truly wasn't personal.

Don't worry, I didn't take it personally. I laughed at it.

jwm

[AJU]

5-6 clicks is what the hand brake should be adjusted for.  When the rear rotors are replaced or off the car, the parking brake pads need to be looked at for wear, or to see if they have come apart from the backing plate.

Does this lead to a rattling sound? I have a rattle over bumps that goes away when I pull the hand brake up a click or two. I am pretty sure that the shoes are not touching the drum when I do this (if I pull the brake while moving there is a loud popping sound when it begins to work). The brake engages at about 6 or 7 clicks. Also, before the first click, there is almost no tension on the lever.


Is there an adjustment that will stop the rattling?

[AJU]

By the way, my parking brake has always held me on any incline.

[Bay13]

There is an adjustment in the center console. take off the small cover and you will see a large torx that can be tightened might help with the noise.

[Rurik]

Just my luck. They adjust the brake cable, and after 4 days of driving, it's doing it again. I have to bring the lever up to the very top click for it to engage (slightly). Sigh

[Bay13]

Just my luck. They adjust the brake cable, and after 4 days of driving, it's doing it again. I have to bring the lever up to the very top click for it to engage (slightly). Sigh

The center console adjuster needs to be loosened, then the star adjuster on the brakes used to adjust the rear so the wheel won't turn then one click off so it will. Then the same to the other side, then you use the center console to adjust for 5-7 clicks to hold.