Went to set the parking brake on a hill and decided to go one more "click" for good measure. Something "popped" and now there is very little tension in the system. Haven't had the opportunity to poke around much yet . . . any places I should check first for common failures? Hoping it's something external and I don't have to pull the drums! The regular brakes seem to be working just as they did before.

Hi

Have you had a chance to check your cables yet?

I had a 'pop' from the handbrake a few years back which 'sounds' like a similar problem to your one.

It turned out to be one of the handbrake adjusters stripping it's thread with a bang resulting in a slack handbrake cable(s) with the brakes still working OK.

You can check from under the car because the adjuster will be sticking fully out of the backplate and not respond to screwing back in - drum off and new adjuster required was my solution.

Hope this helps

Willie K
Scotland

I would look under the console where the brake handle is, you likely broke the cable.

Dan

You probably broke a parking brake cable.

There are 2 brake cables and both are easily visible under the car.

You are going to have to pull a brake drum if you did break a cable.

It may not be a bad idea to change both cables, especially if the remaining cable is obviously old.

If need them, I have the cables and a drum puller.
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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com