What did you do to your Volvo today? Topic is solved

[scot850]

I got my delivery of Rock Auto supplied parts. As per my edit above, the heater core was labelled as FourSeasons on their website. What turned up was a re-labelled box for Pro something or other. Inside the box and also under the label it turned out to be a Spectra manufactured part. If it wasn't so expensive to return t I might of considered it. When you compare the heater core with an old OE 850 core I have it is basically very similar with one big exception. The OE part is 45mm thick. The Spectra is only 35mm thick! That is close to a 25% reduction in heat transfer area. For those of us living in a colder country that will be significant. It also does not come with the foam seal band the OE one come with. I guess for under $20 US it can work for an emergency repair.

Interestingly, I also bought a ECT from SMP (Standard Motor Products) which is actually labelled 'Intermotor'. That brand takes me back close to 40+ years and aftermarket electrical/ignition parts I bought for my P120's. They were typically ok, but some parts were not that great. I believe Cik7 has bought one to fit to his V70. It will be interesting to see what his experience is with it. Couldn't see any other name branded on the part. Again at $11 US it may be good for an emergency although it is a pain to fit if it is no good.

With a Volvo OE from FCP at $60 US it may be worth paying the $50 more for the certainty of the OE part working!

Neil.

[bmdubya1198]

I have Textar pads on the front of the XC90 currently, I believe. I'm not sure if it's the front or the rear auto store pieces of crap that are making noise. Stopping power is fine, but one axle is squealing when hot, and I'm not sure which.
I know I have Textars on my X5, and they squeal slightly when hot. Not nearly as bad as the Hawk HPS 5.0s on my E46 or R1 Concepts pieces of crap on my V70R. They both stop well enough, but squeal like hell.

[454cid]

I got my delivery of Rock Auto supplied parts.

I got the rest of my order today, too.

As per my edit above, the heater core was labelled as FourSeasons on their website. What turned up was a re-labelled box for Pro something or other. Inside the box and also under the label it turned out to be a Spectra manufactured part.

The clearance items are often labeled/relabeled as being another brand. They come from a company in Texas that specializes in such merchandise. A lot of it goes overseas, from something I read online, but Rockauto also sells it. If you're not aware, Rockauto is an office building with a very good catalog/website. They're essentially middlemen that are selling at close to wholesale. There are no Rockauto warehouses with inventory.

The gas tank in my truck is a Spectra. When I was researching they sounded like the best replacement. It's was made in Canada, although they have stuff made overseas as well.

Interestingly, I also bought a ECT from SMP (Standard Motor Products) which is actually labelled 'Intermotor'.

I ordered an SMP "Intermotor" distributor cap, and like I suspected it's a reboxed Bosch. I found that I still have my original Volvo/Bosch in my parts drawer, and comparing the new with the old, the only difference I see is that the new one was made in Spain, and the original has "Germany" molded into it. Admittedly, I did not try to pull the black cover/sleeve off the orangy brown cap.

I also got my oil drain plug gaskets, and brake caliper pins for my truck and two front "API" brake hoses for my Volvos that are actually made by Sunsong. Sunsong is a Chinese company that seems to make hoses for a lot of brands. I haven't had any issues with them, so I decided to buy a pair to keep on hand. I also got a cheap charcoal HVAC filter to see if that helps with the pot smell I drive through all the time. Recreational pot is legal here.

[454cid]

I have Textar pads on the front of the XC90 currently, I believe. I'm not sure if it's the front or the rear auto store pieces of crap that are making noise. Stopping power is fine, but one axle is squealing when hot, and I'm not sure which.
I know I have Textars on my X5, and they squeal slightly when hot. Not nearly as bad as the Hawk HPS 5.0s on my E46 or R1 Concepts pieces of crap on my V70R. They both stop well enough, but squeal like hell.

My 850 squeals, but digging into the front brakes has not been a priority given that they are otherwise in good shape. I did replace the rear pads shortly after I bought the car, as those pads were very thin. They were OEM Volvo. I have no idea what's on the front. I've got a set of Akebono pads to install, at some point.

[bmdubya1198]

My 850 squeals, but digging into the front brakes has not been a priority given that they are otherwise in good shape. I did replace the rear pads shortly after I bought the car, as those pads were very thin. They were OEM Volvo. I have no idea what's on the front. I've got a set of Akebono pads to install, at some point.

I really like Akebono pads. A lot of people complain that they don’t bite as hard as others, but I haven’t had that issue with them.

[MoVolvos]

R1 Concepts pieces of crap on my V70R. They both stop well enough, but squeal like hell.

.
When you go to Amazon and look at all the manufacturers, they all kind of copy each other. The only generic brand I've used has been StopTech. I consider StopTech and R1 Concept generics. They groan really loud after some use but do last. Have used two to three sets on different cars. Will only go with OEM, name brands or EBC which is my first choice, all other stuff are just substandard.
.

[abscate]

The Volvo OEM pads by Rolunds are on my cars. A nice thick cake of brake dust on my wheels tells me I’ve been driving correctly. Seriously, I power wash them once a month when I do the dog

[Clemens]

The Volvo OEM pads by Rolunds are on my cars. A nice thick cake of brake dust on my wheels tells me I’ve been driving correctly. Seriously, I power wash them once a month when I do the dog

Do you also pressure wash the dog?

[bmdubya1198]

R1 Concepts pieces of crap on my V70R. They both stop well enough, but squeal like hell.

.
When you go to Amazon and look at all the manufacturers, they all kind of copy each other. The only generic brand I've used has been StopTech. I consider StopTech and R1 Concept generics. They groan really loud after some use but do last. Have used two to three sets on different cars. Will only go with OEM, name brands or EBC which is my first choice, all other stuff are just substandard.
.

StopTech is actually a name brand, but their more budget-oriented lines are probably more similar to the generic brands. They're owned by Centric.
They do have some good high performance brakes, and also make calipers and whatnot.

I've actually had really good experience with Powerstop. Their Evolution pads have been really good, and you can't beat the prices on Rock Auto.

[Sveedy]

When I removed the Textar pads on the front wheels, one of them was cracked and separated from the backing plate.
Decided that I would avoid that brand from there on out.