XC90 Premature Brake Wear

Macman · Post by **Macman** » 06 Dec 2005, 20:03

Can anyone advise the expected life of the rotors and pads. The wife (its her car) took ours in for the 30K and was advised ours should be replaced. I'm sorry, but this doesn't make any sense. Even if you drive it like a Vet this shouldn't happen.

Any comments and possible causes would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks....Macman

gaxc90 · Post by **gaxc90** » 07 Dec 2005, 15:35

Was it just the front brakes or did they say all 4 wheels? Although I'm a first time Volvo owner, in my experience on a heavy vehicle it's not unusual to need front brake pads around 35-40K. I wouldn't think the rotors should need replacing this soon unless they're overheating and warped, in which case it should be covered by warranty - or if the rotors are grooved from driving with worn out brake pads, which would likely NOT be covered.
I have read that newer vehicles with high performance braking systems are engineered with a "softer" disc pad material that wears faster in exchange for better brake performance - not sure if this theory applies here though.
I would ask the service dept to clarify their recommendation. That is, does the car need the brakes done "now", or are they simply recommending that you consider replacing them in the near future?

rob · Post by **rob** » 09 Dec 2005, 08:54

My T6 brakes started making noise right at 36,000 miles. I took it in early for the 37,500 service and needed front pads and rotors - rear was fine for at least 10,000 more miles. I baby my vehicles and do not panic brake. I am very disappointed as there was no warning at the last service that this was imminent. there was no pulsing or other warning other than the noise just before I went in. Otherwise, I have had no problems with my XC-90 and think this is the best vehicle I have ever driven.

Post by **matthew1** » 09 Dec 2005, 20:57

Volvo uses soft pads. Like everything in life, it's probably a compromise. I'm guessing they may have better performance stopping the car/suv in all temperatures. That's just my guess. The downside is shorter life.

I've found Volvo pads to be more dusty also. Again, probably a compromise engineering decision. Many 850/S70/V70 owners in that forum use aftermarket performance pads that have little dust, but probably require a few hard stops to get them up to optimal stopping temperature.

Could it be that they're shortening the pad life to make more dealers more money? Could be. IMHO it's the former reason.

Oddly, S40/V40s were getting only 20-30k miles before pads, and the rear pads would go first. I read about one with less than 20k miles.

My $.02.

ralt12 · Post by **ralt12** » 15 Feb 2008, 10:24

My wife took her XC90 to the dealer for its 37,500 service. $436 for the service, plus she was told that she would again need new brakes and rotors. This is the FIFTH set of pads, and the THIRD set of rotors. We have other cars in the family that she drives, and nothing is remotely close to this. Add in 12-14 mpg. I've followed her occasionally when we both need to go to school for the kids (I coach, she picks up), and she's not a chronic brake rider. I'm in the "something's not right" camp, but the dealer is a total jerk (in the nicest possible way, of course) in not realizing that this is not normal wear and tear. Volvo swallowed two of these, but now she's coming up on warranty end and they are telling her to pound salt.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 15 Feb 2008, 14:20

Less than 40K miles and 5 sets of pads and 3 sets of rotors??????
Wow, something's not right at all.
At 40K miles we replaced our front pads only and not the rotors (our first change) on our '04 V70. The back pads are still good...going on 67K miles.
Of course, I did the brake work myself.

You either have a dishonest dealer or something is seriously wrong with your braking system.

LindaJ · Post by **LindaJ** » 15 May 2008, 10:20

We were having the premature brake wear problem as well with our 2005 XC90 T6. We have 41,000 miles on the car and we are on our third set of brakes in three years.

We asked the dealer's service center to do a comprehensive look at our car's brake system because of this issue - and a strange chirping noise that goes away only when we brake. We brought the old ones to show the Volvo rep, and he was able to diagnose the problem.

It turns out that there are several sizes of brake pads/ rotors that are used on XC90s. The wrong size was put on my car a year ago - and they wore out in just a year of use. Then the same incorrect size was put on again this year - and then I got the chirping noise.

The dealer is now installing the correct size for me, free of charge, and said the noise problem will go away. He says also the premature brake wear problem will also disappear.

So, they're telling me that all XC90's don't use the same size brake pads/ rotors - there are several available, and if they put the wrong size on your car, they will wear out quickly. It sounds like a mistake that service centers can easily make. We'd been very frustrated about the brake wear problem - so we hope this gets to the bottom of it.

Post by **billofdurham** » 15 May 2008, 12:48

Useful information, thank you.

However, it does raise the question of how a Volvo trained mechanic in a Volvo dealer's workshop can possibly put the wrong size brakes on a Volvo. Are they blind, blind drunk or just stupid?

Bill.

LindaJ · Post by **LindaJ** » 15 May 2008, 19:28

billofdurham wrote:Useful information, thank you.

However, it does raise the question of how a Volvo trained mechanic in a Volvo dealer's workshop can possibly put the wrong size brakes on a Volvo. Are they blind, blind drunk or just stupid?

Well, I've certainly been wondering the same thing! They always tell us how those independent shops can't be trusted to take care of a Volvo properly. It's a bit ironic to have their own service center make the error of putting on the incorrect brakes.