Ok, I am a newbie who needs help with brake/rotor issues. I've searched this site and others for answers but I am just more confused then when I started and so I am posting my questions. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
My 1995 850 wagon with 70,000 miles can shake something fierce when I am breaking at low speeds after going down a hill. I had my trusty but not a "volvo specialsit" mechanic check it out and he said that the rear rotors are warped and when they overheat this causes the vibration problem. The breaks also squeak very loudly when I apply them at all times.
My questions are:
Can an original Volvo rotor be turned or is this a no-no?
Are aftermarket rotors and brake pads ok to use or is it really worth the $$ for OEM parts?
Do slotted rotors warp less on an 850?
Should I replace the calipers at the same time the rotors are replaced?
How can I stop the squeaking????
1995 850 Brakes/Rotors Questions
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Tsquared
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Can an original Volvo rotor be turned or is this a no-no?
Yes they can be turned. A competant machine shop will have the specs on the min thickness that is OK. My experiance is that they can only be turned once.
Are aftermarket rotors and brake pads ok to use or is it really worth the $$ for OEM parts? Aftermarket is usually better if it is from a "quality" company (i.e. Brembo - stay away from Asian manufactured parts).
Do slotted rotors warp less on an 850? Don't know, I have not had any warping problems on either of my Volvos. Slotted and cross-drilled rotors are high performance and usually cannot be turned. The idea of the slots and holes is that the gasses that can cause the pad to lift off the rotor during heavy braking is disapated allowing for a quicker stop - not noticable to most drivers and not worth the extra money...
Should I replace the calipers at the same time the rotors are replaced? If someone wants to repace your calipers with the rotors, thank them for their time and never do any business with them again. Calipers do not wear like rotors - unless the brake system is extremly abused calapers will last for 100's of thousands of miles.
How can I stop the squeaking???? This is usually the pad not being compatable with the roter material. Some rotors require specific type materials. Check with recomended pads from the rotor manufacurer.
With 70,000 miles you have probably had the brakes replaced twice and the rotors replaced at leat once. Volvo is not known for long life on their brakes. On my 96 850 I replaced my front rotors and all brakes at 75,000 miles. I had performed a front brake job where I turned the front rotors at 30,000 miles, using the middle grade pad from NAPA, and just inspected the rear brakes. At the 75k brake job, I used Brembo front rotors that I purchased from Nopi for $43 ea and used the recomended Brembo pads that cost $33 per set front and $24 rear. I now have 93,000 miles and when I inspected the brake system 3k miles ago they looked almost new. I have had no squell or squeaking with the brakes,
Yes they can be turned. A competant machine shop will have the specs on the min thickness that is OK. My experiance is that they can only be turned once.
Are aftermarket rotors and brake pads ok to use or is it really worth the $$ for OEM parts? Aftermarket is usually better if it is from a "quality" company (i.e. Brembo - stay away from Asian manufactured parts).
Do slotted rotors warp less on an 850? Don't know, I have not had any warping problems on either of my Volvos. Slotted and cross-drilled rotors are high performance and usually cannot be turned. The idea of the slots and holes is that the gasses that can cause the pad to lift off the rotor during heavy braking is disapated allowing for a quicker stop - not noticable to most drivers and not worth the extra money...
Should I replace the calipers at the same time the rotors are replaced? If someone wants to repace your calipers with the rotors, thank them for their time and never do any business with them again. Calipers do not wear like rotors - unless the brake system is extremly abused calapers will last for 100's of thousands of miles.
How can I stop the squeaking???? This is usually the pad not being compatable with the roter material. Some rotors require specific type materials. Check with recomended pads from the rotor manufacurer.
With 70,000 miles you have probably had the brakes replaced twice and the rotors replaced at leat once. Volvo is not known for long life on their brakes. On my 96 850 I replaced my front rotors and all brakes at 75,000 miles. I had performed a front brake job where I turned the front rotors at 30,000 miles, using the middle grade pad from NAPA, and just inspected the rear brakes. At the 75k brake job, I used Brembo front rotors that I purchased from Nopi for $43 ea and used the recomended Brembo pads that cost $33 per set front and $24 rear. I now have 93,000 miles and when I inspected the brake system 3k miles ago they looked almost new. I have had no squell or squeaking with the brakes,
'11 C30 T5
'96 854 - died an early death with 184K miles. Killed by the front end of an LTD on a suicide mission (T-boned and both cars totaled).
'96 854 - died an early death with 184K miles. Killed by the front end of an LTD on a suicide mission (T-boned and both cars totaled).
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matthew1
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Squeaking fix (or the first thing you should try anyway) --> brake pad grease on the back of the pads, or more of it if there's already some.
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Also -> Amazon link. Click that when you go to buy something on Amazon and MVS gets a cut!
1998 V70, no dash lights on
1997 850 T5 [gone] w/ MSD ignition coil, Hallman manual boost controller, injectors, R bumper, OMP strut brace
2004 V70 R [gone]
How to Thank someone for their post
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