Rear drums and pads? - that seems weird?

**pwoolrich** · 01-19-2017, 06:03 AM

Ok, I've just got off the phone from a Volvo main dealer who's informed me that the XC70 has discs and drums on the rear? eh?
really, how?
Cheers
Phil

**Astro14** · 01-19-2017, 06:14 AM

Pretty common on European cars. The disc rotors have internal drums for a parking brake set up. That internal little drum brake has brake shoes. Good idea to replace those shoes (and hardware) on an older car. They delaminate and can cause problems inside the drum.

**pwoolrich** · 01-19-2017, 06:38 AM

Thankyou! - I've managed to just get a picture of one. Funny little idea - the parking brake works separately on drums as you've said.

Cheers for the post
Phil

**skibo** · 01-19-2017, 02:30 PM

i'm not sure what the advantage is of this set up - seems more complex than the combined parking brake & calipers i've seen on Hondas.

**billr99** · 01-19-2017, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by skibo

i'm not sure what the advantage is of this set up - seems more complex than the combined parking brake & calipers i've seen on Hondas.

Actually, if you think about it, Volvo's method makes sense. Old standard technology for the e-brake with a reduced chance of the actuating mechanism getting iced or corroded up. Easy to maintain and a sImpler caliber design too. I know up here with our salt air, the rear calipers on VWs, Audis and others that have the e-brake actuation built on the caliber are always giving folks trouble because the mechanism is susceptible to corrosion. And as far as rear calipers, they are more expensive to replace as a result of the more complicated design. I'd hate to have to buy a replacement rear caliper for the rear of my R if it had an e-brake mechanism on it. Expensive enough as they are.

Of course now the rage is to have electric actuation. Rebuilt rear calipers for an Audi A8 so equipped run about $800 at least back a year or so ago when I was thinking of getting one. I much prefer Volvo's $100 rebuilt rear calipers.

Cheers,

Bill