Vibrations when Braking Topic is solved

Nick · Post by **Nick** » 11 May 2005, 19:13

I've recently had new pads and rotors put in. When I brake I notice a loud vibrating when I brake at about 10mph to 0mph. This is the only symptom. Could it be related to computer or traction system?

Post by **matthew1** » 11 May 2005, 20:04

It's probably the rotors. When putting things back on after a brake job, it's very important to work the lug nuts down in a cross-pattern, and to tighten to 80 pound/feet torque per nut.

Any extra pressure -- or one or two nuts not getting tightened enough -- from one side can seat the rotors unevenly, which leads to vibration and warping.

colin 37 · Post by **colin 37** » 11 May 2005, 20:43

it could also be the abs system working at low speed 5 to 10 mph ck your abs sensors on the front wheels.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » 12 May 2005, 05:55

Thanks.

Unitsmoke · Post by **Unitsmoke** » 12 May 2005, 06:46

If you are getting a catch and release action when applying the brakes at low speed it is most likely the ABS sensor. I damaged one when I was replacing the rotors on my car (95 850 Turbo Sedan) that is what happened. Warped rotors have a periodic feel when applying the breaks. Hope it helps.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 13 May 2005, 13:12

I have the same problem on my 87 850 GLT. The whole car vibrated when braking (especially at lower speeds: anywhere between 40-0 km/h) prior to replacing front rotors and pads in Oct 2004. The vibration stopped after that. It started again recently but I know the rear needed replacing so did the same work, rotors and pads on the rear. Now it does not happen as often but still does about 1x per day.

I'm confused? New brakes all around...the vibration was supposed to be due to the worn out rotors but now they're all new.

If the ABS sensors are malfunctioning, wouldn't the service light turn on?

Nick · Post by **Nick** » 13 May 2005, 16:42

I had it checked out at a Europe car repair place. This older German mechanic and I went for a ride. The ABS is working fine. He said original Volvo pads come pre-treated. They use several German brands which work fine. He said my pads should sound that way for a few more days. If noise persists for a few weeks to come back.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 13 May 2005, 22:26

Anonymous wrote:I have the same problem on my 87 850 GLT. The whole car vibrated when braking (especially at lower speeds: anywhere between 40-0 km/h) prior to replacing front rotors and pads in Oct 2004. The vibration stopped after that. It started again recently but I know the rear needed replacing so did the same work, rotors and pads on the rear. Now it does not happen as often but still does about 1x per day.

I'm confused? New brakes all around...the vibration was supposed to be due to the worn out rotors but now they're all new.

If the ABS sensors are malfunctioning, wouldn't the service light turn on?

Sorry...that would be 97 850 GLT!

Volvo rotors and pads in front
Brembo rotors (from fcpgroton) and Volvo pads in back

No vibration after front brake work last October
Occasional vibration after rear brake work last week.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » 15 May 2005, 23:34

As WhiteTurbo said, one of the most common causes is warped rotors. Unfortunately, most places that do brakes although they know they have to do the cross pattern tightening to a specified torque (which needs to be incremental too) they don't give a darn and they use air guns which will cause the rotors to warp. Much more common that anyone would think.

Also, when you get new brake pads, as you get out of the place, 4-5 hard accelerations and hard brakings to warm up the pads and avoid glazing them. This will also prevent them from cracking up too early later on. It is a necessary step even with 'treated' pads.

If you don't and do moderate long braking to a traffic light, you'll glaze your pads which will cause a whole bunch of issues including premature wear, noice when braking and even cracking up and vibration.

Good luck.

96-4 · Post by **96-4** » 17 Jul 2005, 02:17

I am also having problems with my rear brakes on my 1997 V70R.

The volvo dealer called me and said that my rear brakes were having blue spots. In his opinion it was better to replace them.
So they did. After my first long driver (for about an hour) the rear brakes were vibrating as hell when I was going under 60 km/h.
I went back to the dealer and they replaced the brakes.
So problem is occuring again, but only after having drived speedy (speeds up to 180 km/h).

Now dealer doesn't want to change brakes again. They say volvo does not have specific brakes for V70R.
To me, that sounds like bull. When you make a 250hp car I expect that you get modified brakes.

Does anybody now if volvo has specific brakes for v70R?

Thank you.