The emergency brake on my V70 is not working at all. The handle is firm, the adjuster is very very hard to turn. There's no e-brake action at all other than the dashborad light lights. I spoke to the mechanic who has been working on the car a bit for me and he said worst case, this could run me $600.00 to fix. Huh! Isn't this just a set of small drum like shoes inside the rear wheel hub/rotor? Is the parking brake cable know for rusting up and needing to be replaced? Any suggestions where I can begin trouble shooting. These folks are scheduled to change my T-Belt and WP for $600.00 and I really can't dump another 6 for the e-brake. Are there any trouble-shooting steps i can take to see if I can fix the ebrake? I plan to remove the center console this evening to begin checking things out.
Thanks.

 

I would remove the Rear rotors and make sure everything is moving when the Handle is pulled up.

If so then clean the Brake shoes good and the rotor and see if that helps.