Reversing - brakes stuck?
 

Hi guys

I have recently bought a 2004 XC90 T6 SE from a colleague at work with 55k on the clock - I can honestly say it is the best car I have ever owned and we are very happy with it. I had an 'Essential Service' from Volvo last week (an oil change and a health check) and was advised I needed new rear pads, which I had done at the same time.

I've noticed a couple of dubious noises when reversing from cold, but today I had real troubles reversing from my driveway - it was 'trying' to reverse, so I don't think it is a transmission thing - but it felt like the brakes were on. It rolled a very short distance ( maybe quarter/half a wheel turn ) before the brakes really kicked in. It's hard to tell, but it 'felt' like the rear driver side wheel - I reapplied/removed the parking brake a few times, and went forward a little, reversed a little a few times and was able to eventually reverse properly.

I'm concerned that it will do this to me when I don't have the space to go forward first, and would appreciate it if anyone has some advice for me.

It is due in for its MOT tomorrow ( at an independent ) so will ask them - especially if it 'sticks' again in the morning, but any 'real life' experiences would be much appreciated from the forum!

Best regards

Mike

Hi Mike, have a look at this thread on page 6 of forum:-
XC90 Failed MOT on Parking Brake

Hi ctreex
Thanks for the link - I had read that one but it seems to be more about brakes not applying strongly enough rather than them being stuck on. I'm not even sure if it is the parking brake rather than the normal brakes. I'm curious why it would seems to be more of a problem in reverse - perhaps they are sticking regularly but perhaps the forward motion 'unsticks' the brakes easier or is not as easy to detect going forwards.

Regards

Mike

I've had both my rear calipers replaced due to hanging brakes. They were around £100 each + labour if you hand in your old ones. Not OEM though.

The lining has come off your handbrake shoes would be my bet.

you need new rear discs and shoes and retaining springs , the shoes will be delaminating AND the drum in the disk will be very rusty . Try applying the parking brake when coasting at 20 mph see how much retardation you get ... virualy zero ...

Why does he need disc's, they may be fine with a clean up? I agree he may need new discs but that decision should be made based on condition.

Rob

from experience the many i have repaired have been heavily rusted and pitted due to people not applying the parking brake when parked . If there is lack of retardation it is very unlikely the drums are not rusty . If there was light rust it would give more friction and a good brake :-)

Amongst the other checks anyway - my money would be on this. i've had the same problem which was precisely down to disintegrated shoes. I believe that when reversing the material is pushed back into the 'thin end of a wedge' mechanism which actually makes the brake very effective...
As per the the other comments too though - it's quite possible that when it's apart the whole thing will need attention anyway ..as mine did.
It's a shame - this is probably the one simple requirement of the car that is woefully inadequate. As mine is manual - I'll regularly leave it in gear now on anything but a level surface (I've woken up to it on my opposite neighbours drive one morning - that was worrying)...

cheers
Ian.

Why are there so many problems with the parking brake? Mercedes have used the same set up for as long as I can remember and I have never heard of complaints.

Is it lack of use?