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1 hole in front rotor (wear indicator?) in 850

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

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midimykeys
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Year and Model: 1994 Volvo 850
Location: St. Louis, MO
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1 hole in front rotor (wear indicator?) in 850

Post by midimykeys »

I bought this car recently, and I've been loving it. Loving everything but the front brake noise that's coming from the car. Do the 850s have a wear indicator for OEM brake rotors? They're not cross-drilled or slotted, and the machine hole is the only one of its kind on the rotor. It is possible that it could be an aftermarket rotor, but highly unlikely due to all the service records from the dealer.
2001 S80 2.9
2001 S60T
3 850s
1985 240 DL

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rspi
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Post by rspi »

I'm not sure but I had one that had a wear indicator. It was like a little dent about the size of a small eraser but not deep at all.
'95 855 T-5R M, Panther - 22/28 mpg, 546,000 miles
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midimykeys
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Post by midimykeys »

This is a picture of the rotor:

Image
2001 S80 2.9
2001 S60T
3 850s
1985 240 DL

midimykeys
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Joined: 19 February 2012
Year and Model: 1994 Volvo 850
Location: St. Louis, MO
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Post by midimykeys »

I have a feeling I need two front rotors. I think I'm going to change my pads to the Wagner ThermoQuiet Semi-metallic, as far as rotors, OEM? I just sent the rotor pic to the Volvo dealership, and I'm supposed to hear back soon.
2001 S80 2.9
2001 S60T
3 850s
1985 240 DL

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pkc303
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Post by pkc303 »

I've never had any luck with anything but Volvo pads. The others always seem to squeak a bit. I'll need to do the same. Wondering about the rotors myself. Good luck.
1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Yellow
1997 Volvo 850R (sold)
2003 Volvo V70 2.4T, K&N air filter, (sold)
1996 Volvo 940 (sold)
1992 Volvo 740 Turbo (sold)
1990 Volvo 240 Wagon (sold)
1987 Volvo 240 Wagon (sold)
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jblackburn
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Post by jblackburn »

Akebono/Zimmerman is the combination I have. Pretty pleased, never had any problems with noise on the front. The rear ones are the ones that squeal for me before I did put some OEM ones on it (not sure what it had when I bought it, but it sounded awful).

I feel that the Volvo OEM rotors warp very easily.
'98 S70 T5
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regent
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Post by regent »

Akebono ceramic+Brembo here - wonderful performance.
In addition, (almost) no brake dust at all :D
Example of Precision: Measure with a Micrometer, mark it with Chalk, and then cut it with an Axe.
Disclaimer: We (very) seldom do that

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Kirby J
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Post by Kirby J »

+1 to regent. I have gone 130K on my front brakes with the akebono/brembo combination. The really unbelievable part is that my brakes still look good! Of course this is on my 940.

Kirby J

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regent
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Post by regent »

You are probably driving it up the hill all the time and your brakes don't wear out 'cause you never get to use them, right ? :lol:
Example of Precision: Measure with a Micrometer, mark it with Chalk, and then cut it with an Axe.
Disclaimer: We (very) seldom do that

2015 BMW 335i
2015 XC60 T5 Premier Plus
2002 S60 2.4 n/a - retired :(
1987 340 DL - retired :(

VolvoTurbo850
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Post by VolvoTurbo850 »

My experience is if you get cheaper back brake pads, they will be noisy specially if you match them up with cheap rotors.

I use brembo rotors (just the normal one, no slots) and pads usually PBR low semi metallic or in a pinch ..Wagner semi metallic low noise types.

Never had any problems since then on my Fleet.

The Fleet

2001 V70 (NA) 2.5
1999 C70 Conv. Turbo 2.3 HPT
1998 S70 Turbo (T5) SE
1994 850 Turbo (T5)
1980 Corvette (Corvolvo)

Previous Possessions: (4) 240's, (1) 740, (9) 850's, (5) 70 Series
Projects on the go: NONE... Yet!

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