Quite urgent handbrake issue

Brakepads, discs, handbrake. The brakes are crucial for your Volvo 480. Use this category to learn all you need to know!

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fruktstav
480 Newbie
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2024 5:06 pm
Location: Sweden

Quite urgent handbrake issue

Post by fruktstav » Sat Jun 29, 2024 7:11 pm

Hello, friends!

I’ve been in the process of refurbing a 89 ES since march and im very close to success. However, the handbrake is what is standing between me and a passed MOT.

So basically it’s giving 13% braking power, but it needs 16%. I have tried tightening the brake wire, to moderate success, but it didn’t get me quite all the way. I have also changed the wire and the brake disc which didn’t finish the job either.

Now I’m wondering if the handbrake is connected to a drum brake in the back? Are there brake shoes that might need replacing? The feeling of the handbrake when trying to drive the car with it activated is that of metal on metal so I’m thinking there’s a brake shoe in there with a grounded down rubber surface.

So the TL;DR is, what else can I do for the handbrake other than the wire and disc? Is there even a brake shoe in there? Anyone got some schematics of the hand brake parts?

As we say in Sweden, it’s “burning in the neighborhood” since I have to get this fixed before friday it’s quite urgent so any and all advice is greatly appreciated!

jifflemon
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2568
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 11:03 am

Re: Quite urgent handbrake issue

Post by jifflemon » Sun Jun 30, 2024 8:52 am

Handbrake cable is the absolute last part of adjustment, not the first. I’ve done a couple of posts about how to do but the TLDR summary is

1. Wind the pistons all the way back in
2. Apply the foot brake to push the pads against the disk
3. Adjust the caliper adjusters until the disc is locked, then back off 1/4 turn.
4. Adjust cable to give 7 clicks

fruktstav
480 Newbie
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2024 5:06 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: Quite urgent handbrake issue

Post by fruktstav » Sun Jun 30, 2024 12:03 pm

Ok, thanks!

Just to clarify, there are no brake shoes then? The wire only actuates the caliper and the regular brakes are then clamped onto the disc?

jifflemon
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2568
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 11:03 am

Re: Quite urgent handbrake issue

Post by jifflemon » Sun Jun 30, 2024 5:55 pm

Correct.

Cable pulls the lever, lever presses on a pin that pushes the piston out a couple of mm.

fruktstav
480 Newbie
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2024 5:06 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: Quite urgent handbrake issue

Post by fruktstav » Mon Jul 01, 2024 7:25 pm

Cheers mate! Just got a through the inspection thanks to your brilliant advice :hopping: Happy summer driving everyone!

jifflemon
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2568
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 11:03 am

Re: Quite urgent handbrake issue

Post by jifflemon » Tue Jul 02, 2024 1:35 pm

excellent news!

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