Front brake(s) locking up car ONLY on start up then 100% fine and drives great. + SQUEAKING chipmunks.

GreenMagicMan · Post by **GreenMagicMan** » 02 Aug 2025, 10:24

2010 XC70 3.2L I5 engine (non turbo). about 180K miles.

Two issues:

Front brakes lock up car and stutter it to almost not moving on cold start ups. Most starts this happens, after about 1-2 minutes / 100 - 1000 feet this totally stops and never happens again on a long drive, not even once.

ABS light on. No idea what the code is. There was a suggestion it could be the simple ABS front driver sensor causing all this fuss. This, from another XC70 owner nearby in town.

Might be able to find a CEL reader with ABS capacity. I hope it can scan this Volvo - somehow I'm betting it won't.

- The SUPER SQUEAK from rear - Like chipmunks mouthing off to each other all the time. Sometimes they stop fighting a shut up. other times it's almost deafening. Imagine a shrieking child - not that loud but that annoying on 1-3 hour drive.

Is that... The rear trailing arm bushings??

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 02 Aug 2025, 20:06

Lets first try to fix the front issue. Will include a video of a similar problem, so might be of some help. If you are computer savvy- look up vida dice clone on ebay and it will help you tremendously now and in the future. However in 80% of the cases simple icarsoft volvo scanner for $140 will be great option which is very easy tk use and is surprising capable. You will be able to read abs codes, erase them, graff sensor inputs and see which one os dropping or absent. After you will be done with abs/locking you can adress the rest(check the rear springs carefully-those are notorious to break, but likely not your issue).

https://a.co/d/bIT56YV

GreenMagicMan · Post by **GreenMagicMan** » 21 Aug 2025, 17:00

Finally got an ABS code scanner to work. Turns out I actually have to have the car running to 'connect' otherwise it errors.
Here's the codes stored:

ABS:
U040168 Invalid Data received from Engine Control Module. Event information Algorithm Based Failures
C003A07 - Right wheel speed sensor
C003907 - Right wheel tone wheel

Post by **volvolugnut** » 21 Aug 2025, 17:08

On old cars this Brake problem would point to break down of the rubber lining in the brake hose. If the hoses are old, replace them all and flush brake fluid.
volvolugnut

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 21 Aug 2025, 18:58

Focus on right front abs problem. I am 99% certain that your magnetic ring at the back of wheelbearing is MIA(rusted away, partially broken, separated from the bearing).
Troubleshooting: will need to unbolt lower balljoint, cv axle lock bolt at the center of wheel bearing, push cv axle inward while disconnecting the knuckle from lower control arm. Inspect the magnetic back plate of the wheelbearing. Corroded, damaged, rusted...=100% problem.

Likely logic of the problem: tone ring is not sending correct continuous signal and is skipping some areas due to damage. As a result car interprets it as unequal speed and eglngages abs..after several "attempts" it goes into "limp" mode and stops engaging. Until next drive cycle.

Get yourself a quality bearing and not some chinneese knock off. Pay some decent shop to install it(or do it yourself , but you will likely need special tool which is $250. New knuckle with bearing pre-installed is $600. ) as soon as you will correct "tone ring"(magnetic ring at the back of the wheelbearing). Your other problems will likely be gone.

GreenMagicMan · Post by **GreenMagicMan** » 24 Aug 2025, 10:54

Ok. Thanks for reply!
I did a front wheel bearing on a 2004/2005 xc70 I forget year. Was a bolt in type. Pretty easy with correct sockets.
Is this a press fit bearing? Same as 04 or different style?

Thanks!

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 24 Aug 2025, 13:57

It is totally different and horrible design in my opinion. Forget easy 5 bolts(1 axle and 4 hub) replacement. It needs specific tool or entire spindle with pre-installed bearing.

Post by **abscate** » 30 Aug 2025, 04:34

Or just take the knuckle off and use a press. I used to take my knuckle round to a shop until I got a 20 ton scratch and dent from Harbor Fright

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 30 Aug 2025, 13:34

I believe the press will not work in this case without special adapters. It is very hard to press the otter race given attached hub. So dont waste money and do it with proper tool

GreenMagicMan · Post by **GreenMagicMan** » 05 Sep 2025, 09:26

Ok...? IS that certain?
I have a 2011 Accord as my daily driver. Thing's fantastic.
It has buy only pre loaded spindle options or massive hydraulic press only... except it's not true.

As Absacte is hinting at... you can remove the spindle and press bearings in and out with an expensive hand loaner tool.
I've done in 4x in the Honda and 1x in the Volvo V50 front bearing.
"They" said it couldn't be done in the V50 but I did, with that common rental / loaner tool.
It's widespread repeated you have to have a very specific Ford / Volvo tool or adaptor but again it's not true. You can get by with the cheaper universal tool.
And, yeah, I've got a lot of pics and video to prove it.
Here's a full on YouTube I did for the Honda. Was gonna for the Volvo V50 but never got around to edit one.