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Review: Takspeed Stainless Steel Brake lines/ how to..kinda

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 » Project: DIY Volvo XC90 Brake Line Replacement
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gshadow325
Posts: 149
Joined: 1 October 2008
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Volvo Repair Database Review: Takspeed Stainless Steel Brake lines/ how to..kinda

Post by gshadow325 »

After 150,000 miles on what looks like the original rubber brake lines, my XC90 deserves a brake :)
Takspeed Stainless Steel Brake lines in blue (part #vol1301) were ordered $107 shipped. Not bad considering elevate's lines were $179, Goodrich was $150 and Wilwood didnt even make a set for this SUV.

Ordered on a Monday morning(US Holiday too) got it by Friday.:tup:

Quality looks really good, length was correct, fittings done nicely.:tup:

Tools and parts required:
13mm Flare wrench
14mm flare wrench
7/16 flare wrench
3/8" inside diameter clear vinyl tubing $0.20ft at home depot / lowes hardware stores. get 3 feet
one live human being that is good at taking directions
minimum 1pint of quality brake fluid depending on how much you are flushing, i did 1 quart :arob:

Did it in this order: right rear, left rear, right front then finally front left.

Here's some tips,
1: start with the 13mm on the line that comes from the car

2. use the 14mm to remover the other end of the line from the caliper
3: i used a clear tube to bleed the brakes, alot less mess. i kept bleeding it till there was no more air bubbles in the line.

4: pictured here is the front lines. this rubber gasket will keep you from taking off the 14mm end of the brake line from the caliper. take a pair of cutters and snip it off. you replacing the lines anyways

thats all she wrote, here are some installed pics before after

5: if you are remotely thinking about doing this with just a regular open end wrench, YOU WILL BE SORRY. i have stripped many of brake lines on other cars because i didnt have the proper tools. beg borrow or steal to get the correct tools for the job :)
Impressions after install?

* Pedal feels harder but i only have about 40 miles on the new lines and new front pads and rotors, tough call.
* brakes do have a more sensitive feel, i am sure it will get more sensitive once the pads break in. i'll give feedback after another 200+ miles

Worth it? In my case yes because the lines were rusted under the protecive cover in the front and getting dry rotted in the rear lines. plus after 150k, any soft of rubber item will degrade over time, it was preventive maintenance/ performance upgrade :)
Level of difficulty 1 to 10 (10 hardest) = 2
Time: 1.5hrs plus i changed the front pads too
Btw- it was 12 degrees out today in Philadelphia, good thing i have a heated garage @ a toasty 63 degrees :lol:

EDIT Important NOTE: When removing lines, always start with the line from the car, then remove the line from the caliper. If you did it the other way, you can twist and bind the brake lines :(
Last edited by matthew1 on 08 Jun 2020, 15:43, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Removed broken images. Sorry, the image host no longer has them, so I took them out.
1998 Olive Green V70 T5 Manual - 155k Awesome car
2003 Nautic Blue XC90 T6 3rd tranny - 162k Modded
2001 Nautic Blue C70 T5 Manual - 92k Not stock at all

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billofdurham
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Post by billofdurham »

Thank you for the very clear write-up. This is a job a lot of people are afraid to tackle.

I am sending this for inclusion in the Repair Database.

Bill.
Work was good - retirement is better.

1996 850GLT 2.5 20v Estate Manual.
1995 Peugeot Boxer 2.5Tdi Autosleeper.
Previously:
1984 244DL, Manual, Beige.
1987 744GLE, Manual, Green.
1991 960 3.0 24v, Auto, Silver.
1994 940T Wentworth, Auto, Blue.

gshadow325
Posts: 149
Joined: 1 October 2008
Year and Model:
Location:

Post by gshadow325 »

its real easy, shame that a mechanic will charge $100+ to do such a thing
1998 Olive Green V70 T5 Manual - 155k Awesome car
2003 Nautic Blue XC90 T6 3rd tranny - 162k Modded
2001 Nautic Blue C70 T5 Manual - 92k Not stock at all

TexasCoder
Posts: 71
Joined: 16 January 2010
Year and Model: 2004 XC90 T5 AW Tran
Location: Texas

Post by TexasCoder »

Nicely done!!! I have been thinking of doing the same thing, and I am glad this post is here! Thanks again!

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