QUOTE (colinu @ Nov 18 2011, 12:30 AM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>I removed that centre consul panel and there's no adjuster in there (as stated in my original post). I'll have a look around the foot pedal area this weekend to see if I can figure out exactly where the adjuster is.
I, too, couldn't find the parking brake adjuster and thought I had the older (2003 to early 2004) adjuster on the parking brake pedal.
But, it turns out that the parking brake cable and the adjuster are buried under the edge of the non-removable (i.e. not a part of the removable panel) carpet coming up from the floor. So, take the panel off and run your hand down the bottom and feel around between the remaining carpet and the bottom of the console. I have two XC90s (2.5T and V8) and both of the cables were buried down there. The cables that you see clearly in front of you after moving the console side panel aren't for the parking brakes.
The official VIDA way to adjust it is to use large-enough hose removal pliers to pull more of the engine-side cable sheath out from inside the adjuster (metal cylinder; it internally ratchets to only allow pulling sheath out). This has the effect of lengthening the cable sheath so that the cable ends are pulled inside for more tension. Only take off the clip and turn the assembly to slacken off the cable for new shoes/rotor replacement. That said, turning the adjuster the opposite way (don't remember which) seems to tighten the cable system as Jvares said.
More images at the bottom of this link:
http://www.justanswer.com/volvo/4e4eg-volv...miles-just.html (None of the images are my own, a Volvo tech named Andy made these)
I hope this helps! For what it's worth, my 2.5T's parking brake shoes and rotor are worn so much that the little amount of adjustment at the adjuster will not help, so it's time to replace the shoes and rotor.
Yue
