Login Register

1998 V70 XC Brakes Extremely Hard to press

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
keithhitch
Posts: 6
Joined: 5 August 2014
Year and Model: V70 XC 2000
Location: Philadelphia, PA

1998 V70 XC Brakes Extremely Hard to press

Post by keithhitch »

All,

I have been on this site for several years and have relied on it to get help for my multiple issues. THANK YOU for the wonderful posts - I am now hoping that you can help with a new issue.

Had several CELs and ended up doing the following on the car:
Replaced the ABS Module - had the TRACS light and the arrow - rebuilt unit worked great
Car stopped starting - and determined it was the fuel pump - car sat for several months.
Replace Fuel Pump - (cut through the floor and replaced) - it's alive again (YEAH) :D :D
Replaced Front pads and rotors - would have failed inspection - brakes were fine after this.

More CELs
Replaced the PCV hoses and oil trap - left side vacuum elbow was ripped and disconnected (bought one of the kits and did all of it)
Replaced MAF with BOSCH unit - I read the posts
Cleaned the IAC - it was filthy
Car is running much better except that the brakes are HARD. Almost like no power assist. :(

I have looked through all of the vacuum lines I can find and all of the lines seem OK or I have replaced. I might need to put on new elbow for the fuel return line from the fuel rail (using a short piece of fuel line currently that is a little crimped).

I am trying to figure out what I could have missed or messed up to cause the brake issue - any help would be appreciated.

This is my son's car and he will need running soon because he will be going back to school in fall.

THANK YOU AGAIN - This is a WONDERFUL resource and I have recommended it to multiple people.

Keith H

I am a proud owner of a 2000 V70 XC.

Ozark Lee
MVS Moderator
Posts: 14798
Joined: 7 September 2006
Year and Model: Many Volvos
Location: USA Midwest
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 75 times

Post by Ozark Lee »

The hard pedal sounds like a problem with the brake booster or the big vacuum line that runs to it. The booster itself isn't a common high failure rate item and I don't think I have heard of one failing but to paraphrase Murphy, anything that can break, will break. If that turns out to be the problem a Pick-N-Pull would be a good place to get a replacement.

I would pull the vacuum line off the booster and make sure vacuum is getting to it first. The break booster line has a check valve that should hold the vacuum even after the car is shut off.

...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post