Dismantled the parking brake to get to the rear hub/bearing last week and found that the parking brake shoes where very tight. The rotor would not move for over an hour. I finally got it off and now you can guess getting it back on isn't happening. Here is what I've figured out so far.

Comparing the rotor's inside wear from the parking brake shoes I've determined that they have been riding the caliper a bit. Maybe the reason why I've felt like the rear tires have a bit of a drag when picking up speed. Usually when I'm climbing in speed through 3rd and 4th gears I can feel the brake grab really quick and then let go. (I've flushed the brake lines and calipers are fine with one new on rear)

I compared the rotor to one from my parts car which came off with ease when the parking brake was off. The groove made a lip so the shoes where seated in the groove making it impossible to get the rotor off. I loosened the bolt on the e-brake handle but not all the way for fear of removing the bolt. I have since decided tonight when I make a trip to where I keep the car that I'll loosen it all the way and see what happens.

That is the strange thing too. The brake wasn't adjusted so that the handle would stop before it reached the top. I assume that means it was loose rather than over tightened. Meaning when I let it off the rotor should of let go from the brakes.

My options? File the groove in the shoe space to make the shoes outside diameter smaller. Loosen the e-brake nut all the way before attempting to remount a rotor. Replace rotor with new one to avoid the worn groove from the e-brake shoes. And the other option is what I'm hoping someone on here will share. How to avoid the e-brake shoes from dragging and wearing another groove in the rotor.

The rotor was original Volvo brand and much newer than the parts car rotor. But the parts car rotor wasn't worn with a groove. How to keep the e-brakes shoes from dragging? New rotor and proper adjustment is the only solution I can think of if proper adjustment is possible.