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Volvo XC90 Front Brake Job

A mid-size luxury crossover SUV, the Volvo XC90 made its debut in 2002 at the Detroit Motor Show. Recognized for its safety, practicality, and comfort, the XC90 is a popular vehicle around the world. The XC90 proved to be very popular, and very good for Volvo's sales numbers, since its introduction in model year 2003 (North America). P2 platform.
This topic is in the MVS Volvo Repair Database » Volvo XC90 Front Brake Job
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MixEngineer
Posts: 34
Joined: 30 November 2010
Year and Model: 2004
Location: Franklin, TN

Re: Volvo XC90 Front Brake Job

Post by MixEngineer »

Don't use the aftermarket rotors that FCP Groton sells. They rumble and I had to replace them with Genuine Volvo. No noise with the Genuine Volvo. I'm not sure about the Nordic brand, but the ones labeled "Aftermarket" were trash. Just FYI.

road1will
Posts: 39
Joined: 9 February 2011
Year and Model: 2004 XC90 2.5T
Location: Atlanta

Post by road1will »

MixEngineer wrote:Don't use the aftermarket rotors that FCP Groton sells. They rumble and I had to replace them with Genuine Volvo. No noise with the Genuine Volvo. I'm not sure about the Nordic brand, but the ones labeled "Aftermarket" were trash. Just FYI.

Pretty much all of the aftermarket rotors for the XC90 seem like trash. I've only had luck with Genuine Volvo rotors.

songzunhuang
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Post by songzunhuang »

I used the OEM Volvo front rotors (www.ipdusa.com) and Akebono pads on the XC90. They have been great. Very smooth and quiet with no signs of any weirdness. I am about to order new rear rotors for our XC90.

On our V70 T5, I use Zimmerman rotors along with Akebono pads. The Aftermarket ones I had before were terrible! They would wobble, shake, and squeal. I thought there was something wrong with my car's front end. After replacement, it's like night and day - super smooth and quiet.

Like "road1will" says - great luck with Genuine Volvo. But I have also had great luck with the Zimmermans. They seem to cost a bit more. In any case, it's worth the extra cost.
Song Huang

1998 V70 T5 - Hurt your eyes red
2000 Honda S2000 - Berlina Black
1984 BMW 633CSi - Dolphin Grey
2024 Lexus - Eminent White Pearl
2004 XC90 T6 AWD Ruby red (RIP)

tatonka12345
Posts: 26
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Year and Model: XC90 2008; S60 2002
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Post by tatonka12345 »

Just did the front rotors and pads this past weekend on a 2008 XC90 (336mm). The pdf writeup didn't have it, but the lower 7mm hex pin on the caliper is the shorter one. Great writeup in any case.

Parts were OEM from VolvoWholeSaleParts

Rotors: 87.51x2 = 175.02
Pads: 82.94

Shipping added $25.00

Not bad considering the dealership quoted $750

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regent
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Post by regent »

You did not forget to change your brake fluid, no?
Example of Precision: Measure with a Micrometer, mark it with Chalk, and then cut it with an Axe.
Disclaimer: We (very) seldom do that

2015 BMW 335i
2015 XC60 T5 Premier Plus
2002 S60 2.4 n/a - retired :(
1987 340 DL - retired :(

tatonka12345
Posts: 26
Joined: 29 October 2010
Year and Model: XC90 2008; S60 2002
Location: Orland Park, IL
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Post by tatonka12345 »

No, I'm waiting on my motive brake bleeder to come in. Certainly would have been easier to do with the front end already up though.

kduncan01
Posts: 1
Joined: 2 March 2012
Year and Model: XC90 2008
Location: United States

Post by kduncan01 »

Hello,

Does anyone know if these instructions (PDFs) are the same for a 2008 XC90 3.2 FWD? Also are the bolts\7mm hex the same on the 2008?

Thanks for the help
Duncan

tatonka12345
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Year and Model: XC90 2008; S60 2002
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Post by tatonka12345 »

I have a 2008 XC90 AWD and the instructions were the same for me. Don't see why they'd be any different.

The ChamFam
Posts: 1
Joined: 29 September 2012
Year and Model: 2004
Location: Dallas

Post by The ChamFam »

songzunhuang wrote:@Sciotobob - sounds to me that you did exactly what I described above. I can also finish the job in 1.5-2 hours. It's not so hard if you just get the caliper off. The hardest part for me was to get the super tight bolts off!
I found it very difficult to remove the top caliper bolt. There was no room to maneuver the ratchet. What was your method to get that top bolt unscrewed? I even turned the wheel to the right to give me a better look at the back of the caliper.

stone36
Posts: 371
Joined: 18 May 2007
Year and Model: 2005 V70R and XC90
Location: Columbus, OH

Post by stone36 »

stone36 wrote:So I did my front bakes yesterday, attached is my write up on the process.
Just wanted to update, I did this job about about 55K and I now have 86K on the car, so 30K in and they are still great! Pads still have a lot of life (went with OEM) and discs (aftermarket from FCP) have no warping to speak of yet, really couldn't be happier. With some past cards, getting 30K out of pads was a pipe dream, but these don't even seem close. At 55K the pads I took off were OEM, and I wondered if they were original, pretty sure they were.
Last edited by matthew1 on 07 Nov 2012, 23:27, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Changed "now warping" to "no warping".
05 V70R TiKap (so happy) 91K
05 XC90 2.5T FWD TiBlak 97K
94 850 wagon 2.4 (N/A) 155K (Sold running like a champ)

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