Volvo S70 98: Braking noise will not go away

krom · Post by **krom** » 20 Dec 2008, 03:18

Hi everyone,

If someone could please help me with this problem it will be greatly appreciated. I have done multiple failed fixes trying to remove the screeching noise originating from my front brake pads. The list includes: all four rotors and brakes changed (brakes have been lubricated with the noise reduction cream twice), all four wheels changed, CV joints changed, and very soon the tire rods. However, the noise remains and the noise (a screeching sound) only occurs the second before the car stops moving. I could be driving fast or slow and no noise will be heard. Also, the initial stepping of the brake does not cause the noise. The noise appears only when the car is slowing down to about >5mph and/or barely moving and my foot is fully pressing the brake pedal to stop the car. If I hear the noise and immediately stop pressing on the pedal the noise automatically goes away. I have been told that the brakes make the noise naturally due to the humidity. However, it was not making that screeching noise when I bought the car and the noise began with the old breaks. Extra info that might be relevant to this problem are: the ABS module is probably failing (tracs lights come on and off, brake pedal makes a grinding noise when this occur but no screeching), the rotors were replaced due to several months of being warped (right now the cars runs smoothly;no vibrations), and the car has been in small accidents (slight dents; don't recall the noise appearing afterwards). Thank you all for your time.

Kroms

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 20 Dec 2008, 06:14

Kroms,
I guess I would have 2 concerns about your brakes.
First is, what pads did you use? OEM pads (although make the wheels black quickly) usually don't squeak like you describe. Second, when you changed your brakes and refit the pads on the calipers, did you apply that same grease to the caliper side where the pads will slide against the metal and also on the caliper pins? If not, then the noise may not be from the pads to rotors as much as from the calipers. Make sure to use the white silicone based brake grease and use it liberally on all parts that contact each other (except for where the pads and the rotors meet). Good luck- I know that this can be truly annoying.

Post by **wheelsup** » 20 Dec 2008, 10:37

Mine squealed, a really high pitch, for the couple hundred miles or so. I used grease and OEM pads on the back and akebono's on the front. Brembo rotors.

How did you break in your brake pads and rotors? It might be that they didn't get broken in correctly.

Did you replace the springs on the front calipers? I think those are anti-rattle springs.

Also is it a squeal or a grinding noise? My rears using OEM pads make kind of a GGGGRRR noise when at very low speed, but it isn't very loud. I attribute this to the grabby-ness of them. It's not a squeal but more a low pitched vibration. Doesn't bother me it sounds and appears normal for them.

My wife's Jetta had back rotors and semi-metallic pads put on it about 2 months ago the rears squealed while coming to a stop at a slow speed like you describe for a couple hundred miles then the sound went away. How long ago did you put new brakes on? Maybe give it some more time as the pads and rotors break in.

krom · Post by **krom** » 20 Dec 2008, 21:36

Thanks to everyone who has provided excellent suggestions.

To Wheelsup: I have been hearing the high pitch squealing since august. I took the car to a volvo certified 'specialist' [not dealer] mechanic to replaced them; starting to regret my decision. He has been unable to remove the noise and it is starting to frustrate me. Everytime he greases (or I do it) the backside of the pads the noise goes away for about 2 or 3 days then it comes back. Perhaps, as you mentioned, the problem is due to the type of rotors and brakes (cheap). However, the noise started before I had replaced the warped rotors and brakes. I assumed that by replacing all these parts the noise and previous vibrations would go away. You mentioned something that I did not realize; that the brakes and rotors needed to be broke in. After all the parts mentioned above were installed I continued driving normally.

PS. I took my car to a different mechanic to get new wheels and replace the tie rods and he showed me that the right CV joint was in really bad condition (grease everywhere). I looked at the receipt from the previous mechanic and it shows that he ordered (and charged me) the part for the right side joint and a CV kit for the left. Could this be a part of the problem? The frustration continues.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 20 Dec 2008, 22:24

I don't know...you might ask him what he actually did. My right CV joint boot bit the dust a day after changing out the left one....so it seems that things with suspension, steering parts often happens in pairs on these cars.

mattkemp · Post by **mattkemp** » 18 May 2013, 12:46

If you ever figure out what the problem was, please let me know, I am in the middle of experiencing the same problem myself.