Rear parking brake problem,

[adam79]

Hi, my wife was driving her Volvo V60 2011, after parking it up the nearside parking actuator broke (look like the drive has worn in the caliper) the AA released it and said that we need to get a new caliper and actuator, I put this on and nothing (after market one), took it apart and the drive between the two units had snapped. I thought this must be a faulty unit. Returned to the shop for a replacement and I heard the second one snap. I have changed the o/s for a Genuine Volvo about 2 years ago and had no problems. Is this Cheap parts or something else?

[adam79]

Turns out it was the aftermarket calliper. The actuator was not up to the job and kept snapping, I exchanged the first one and the replacement one did the same thing. I then ordered off ebay a genuine but rebuilt one (PDD Callipers).
Works like a treat now. What was wrong with a cable or lever for a parking brake.

[MacV50]

Out of interest, how much were the calipers? Both my rears are looking pretty rusty and I think the drivers side is binding.

Eurocarparts are doing exchange parts for £125 each which doesn't seem too bad. Not sure about doing the job myself though as I don't know if I'll be able to properly bleed the system. I have brake hose clamps and a vacuum bleeder but do I need computer connection to open the ABS valves?

I have rebuilt motorbike calipers in the past so am comfortable around brakes. It's just the abs and ecu element I'm not sure about

[Clan]

Originally Posted by adam79

Turns out it was the aftermarket calliper. The actuator was not up to the job and kept snapping, I exchanged the first one and the replacement one did the same thing. I then ordered off ebay a genuine but rebuilt one (PDD Callipers).
Works like a treat now. What was wrong with a cable or lever for a parking brake.

User methods , neglected maintenance, cheaper to make probably too, and often legislation demands this kind of thing.
The system knows how hot the discs are with the electric parking brake as if you apply the parking brake with very hot discs the clamping force reduces as the discs contract when cooling ,and the car could roll down the hill. If they are hot when applying after 15 mins the brake is applied again to ensure the brake is on hard enough.

When the V50/S40 was launched in 2004 there were problems with the manual handbrake creeping on a hill. The owners didn't read the handbook. It might be useful to quote the correct method here:

you stop on the hill, apply hard the FOOT brake which applies a powerful clamping force, then whilst holding the footbrake pressure pull up the lever with a medium force to lock it there.

[buick boy]

Replaced the rear callipers and abs unit on my V70R . Bled the system through as normal , no problems with abs unit or ecu . Brake test on mot showed all brakes & abs unit working correctly with no warning lights.