My parking brake barely grabs. Tested it by pulling the handle with the rotor off and only the left side moves, and barely. If I remember correctly, it is the left side on both sides. Is this a frozen cable or could it be frozen in the assembly somewhere? Is there anyway to test the cable before replacing it?

 

Find the cable where it goes into the sleeve and spray it with some PB Blaster. Let sit, and repeat. If it starts moving a bit easier afterwards, the cable was/is frozen. Also check to make sure it is adjusted properly. Replace as necessary

 

If you leave one side with the rotor in place and check the other it will let you know. If you pull both rotors then the one that moves the easiest will do all the work.

It's most likely a rusted up cable but you need to physically move the shoes around to make sure they are still "floating" on the backing place and able to expand if you have a working cable.

https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...ustment-43292/

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...php?f=1&t=2927

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...hp?f=1&t=29623

 

Curious about that first link, removing the center console: In my car (97 wagon), if I open the arm rest there is a removable panel in the bottom of the storage box towards the front. Removing this reveals what looks to be the adjustment screw for the ebrake handle (looks like a t47 or so silver bolt). Is this correct? It looks as if there is enough room to get a socket in there without removing the full console...

 

That's correct

 

Thought so Starting to love the simplistic engineering of these cars more and more every day