Recently purchased new brake shoes and springs because lately the handbrake seemed to be sort of weak and always had been. I figured it was probably just due for a replacement.

In any case, the rear rotors were due too, so I figured to have them both done today at the same time. When the rotors were off, I was surprised to find that both sides' brake shoes were perfectly fine, and had PLENTY of meat left on the pad. The springs were also in working order, as was the cable and what not.

Now I am puzzled by what to do. I did not bother replacing the stuff because it wasn't necessary, so I just tucked away the stuff for when the springs or the shoes DO finally wear out.

I have adjusted it using the white little adjustment nut located in front of the rear ashtray under the center console.

Am I adjusting it incorrectly? I have tightened the brake, but this is what I am afraid of at the moment: I do not want to overtighten it in such a way that the parking brake is engaged even slightly when the handbrake is supposedly completely released.

Do you guys know what I am saying? Do I have to worry about overtightening so that that brake is engaged even when the handbrake handle is fully lowered/released? Is there some sort of method to figuring out how much to tighten it?

Right now, when I pull up the hand brake, I barely raise my arm up an inch (not even 1 click yet) and I already feel a bit of resistance. Is that the cable being tightened already, or is there some sort of spring?

Sorry for the long post, but I just wanted to be clear.

Thanks!
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Kenric Tam
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'