Login Register

850 LR caliper seizing up..

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

Post Reply
salts850
Posts: 81
Joined: 10 March 2009
Year and Model: 95 850t
Location: MI

850 LR caliper seizing up..

Post by salts850 »

Does anyone know if there is a common problem on 95 850's with the LR brake caliper seizing up? The bcm was bad for a long time. I've replaced and fixed that problem. The issue is that I keep having to replace that particular cailper. 3 times now to be exact. RR is fine so i'd say that fluid pressure isn't a factor and the lines do not appear to have damage to them. Any one ever hear about this or experience it?

polskamafia mjl
Posts: 2640
Joined: 1 April 2009
Year and Model: 1995 Volvo 854 T-5R
Location: Hershey, PA
Has thanked: 19 times
Been thanked: 21 times

Post by polskamafia mjl »

As far as I know it's relatively common for the calipers to stick on the 850's. There's another thread about someone having a similar problem. 1 cause is that the rubber brake lines deteriorate after a while and can't sustain the pressure of the system so when you release the brake pedal the lines constrict instead of "sucking" the caliper piston back in. If your lines are "old" then replacing them may help. Also, re-grease the guide pins and the piston itself.
'All my money is gone and I have an old Volvo.' - Bamse's Turbo Underpants

Current: 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Manual - Bringing it back from the brink of death
Previous: 1996 Volvo 850 GLT - Totaled

salts850
Posts: 81
Joined: 10 March 2009
Year and Model: 95 850t
Location: MI

Post by salts850 »

oh ok, yeah the lines are all origianl to my knowledge. I think i found my weekend project, thanks.

polskamafia mjl
Posts: 2640
Joined: 1 April 2009
Year and Model: 1995 Volvo 854 T-5R
Location: Hershey, PA
Has thanked: 19 times
Been thanked: 21 times

Post by polskamafia mjl »

I'm pretty sure I have the same problem and I'm replacing my lines with stainless steel lines sometime in the coming months.
'All my money is gone and I have an old Volvo.' - Bamse's Turbo Underpants

Current: 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Manual - Bringing it back from the brink of death
Previous: 1996 Volvo 850 GLT - Totaled

voodoorobaz
Posts: 78
Joined: 16 October 2009
Year and Model: 1982 Volvo 245 DL
Location: Mesa, AZ

Post by voodoorobaz »

I also added the braided the lines to my car but I also bought the bleeder tank from IPD. was well worth the money for it.
1998 Volvo S70-Gone
2002 Volvo S60 T5-Gone
2000 Volvo V70 XC AWD-Gone
1983 Volvo 245 Dl-Gone
1982 Volvo 245 DL
2013 GMC Terrain with 3.6l
2006 Cannondale Bad Boy Use for Commuting to work

tjts1
Posts: 673
Joined: 13 November 2007
Year and Model: 96 855 NA 5 speed
Location:
Been thanked: 4 times

Post by tjts1 »

Mine seized up too. Replaced it with a JY caliper. My brake lines were relatively new. Its a flaw in the design of the piston bore in the caliper. Its a very common problem. most people don't realize they are driving with a seized rear piston because there are 2 on each caliper.
Ambitious but rubbish

salts850
Posts: 81
Joined: 10 March 2009
Year and Model: 95 850t
Location: MI

Post by salts850 »

good to know tjts. I'll keep an eye on the new one I just put on. I'm still going to install new front hoses since they are original.

outdoor7or24
Posts: 155
Joined: 30 December 2008
Year and Model: SOLD 95 855t,93 945t
Location: S GA

Post by outdoor7or24 »

How do you regrease the piston on the caliper?

I have a problem with my front disks warping. I just got them turned and after a 1,000 mile trip they started developing the shuddering during stopping. I did lube the sliding pins.
I did notice that my front right side caliper seal is not all the way in, or it is not seated properly. Should I look into rebuilding them?

I do know my front brake lines do not look the greatest, it looks like the outer part has some cracks. Maybe this is a cause?

Thx.

polskamafia mjl
Posts: 2640
Joined: 1 April 2009
Year and Model: 1995 Volvo 854 T-5R
Location: Hershey, PA
Has thanked: 19 times
Been thanked: 21 times

Post by polskamafia mjl »

I guess the best way to regrease the piston would be to just barely tap the brake pedal until the piston slides out enough to apply grease. I usually just slab grease on w/e part of the piston is sticking out. Was that 1000 mile trip highway or city driving? Also, turning rotors inherently warps them, there is a discussion about that somewhere on this forum. Warping also happens when your brakes are hot and you sit at a light for a while with the your foot on the brakes.

I think it was MIJ who suggested rolling forward a bit every 5 seconds if your stopped at a light or putting the E-brake on istead of keeping your foot on the brakes the entire time.
'All my money is gone and I have an old Volvo.' - Bamse's Turbo Underpants

Current: 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Manual - Bringing it back from the brink of death
Previous: 1996 Volvo 850 GLT - Totaled

outdoor7or24
Posts: 155
Joined: 30 December 2008
Year and Model: SOLD 95 855t,93 945t
Location: S GA

Post by outdoor7or24 »

polskamafia mjl wrote:I guess the best way to regrease the piston would be to just barely tap the brake pedal until the piston slides out enough to apply grease. I usually just slab grease on w/e part of the piston is sticking out. Was that 1000 mile trip highway or city driving? Also, turning rotors inherently warps them, there is a discussion about that somewhere on this forum. Warping also happens when your brakes are hot and you sit at a light for a while with the your foot on the brakes.

I think it was MIJ who suggested rolling forward a bit every 5 seconds if your stopped at a light or putting the E-brake on istead of keeping your foot on the brakes the entire time.

1000 mile trip was mostly hwy driving. The car stopped fine with no shuddering or pulsating the first half.
Got back from my trip after feeling the pulsating and jacked the car up. Turning the wheels, I can hear/feel the pads touching the rotor on about a 1/4 of the whole turn. Both sides. Now, each side differs where the pad touches the rotor.

I had just replaced the front struts (yellow konis, IPD spring seat, OEM strut mounts), had the tires rotated, and had an alignment done.

Now I am wondering if an A arm bushing is worn. I checked this when the car was jacked up, I tried to feel vertical and horizontal movement. None felt. I lubed up the sliding pins and on a test drive you could hear the calipers slide back and forth! hmmn...

So this leads me to believe my RF caliper may be suspect with the seal being partially out. Also, I suspect A arms (they appear fine) and maybe the axles / CV joints (I checked those too and they appear fine)?

I am kinda stumped. I know when I replaced my RF lower engine mount it made a huge difference as it was completely worn out.

Any ideas?

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post