'98 S70 What brand parts for a complete brake Job?

[dosbricks]

'98 S70 na 222k miles.
I have always used genuine Volvo brake parts up to now, but with the age of our cars (and their ageing less aggressive drivers), I'm thinking of buying an fcp front/rear brake kit with Brembo or ATE rotors and probably PBR pads. The Akebono pads are ceramic and I know the advantages, but I don't want squeal. I have a brake fluid flusher and feel the calipers ought to still be OK.

So I would like to know what my fellow Volvo owners have used, that are other than OEM, which you have had good success with. I would like to save some money but still desire longevity from the rotors and not so much dust from the pads if possible. Do you recommend a low metallic or semi-metallic pad? TIA for any replies.

dos

[Ozark Lee]

I have used drilled Raybestos rotors from some place in Canada that I buy cheap on eBay. They have a funny vibration under very hard braking but I have yet to warp one. I honestly don't know if the drilling makes a real difference or not. Brembo historically has a great reputation but they are now shipping Chinese rotors and some have posted disappointment with them. If you want top of the line, Zimmerman rotors are still about as good as it gets. I was in a pinch and bought a pair of the mid grade AutoZone rotors for the XC and they warped again within 6 months so I won't be going back for more.

For pads I have been using Mintex Reds and Teflon shims along with Sil-Glyde brake grease and they have worked great. They aren't nearly as dirty as the OEM pads and I haven't had any kind of fading problems. If you don't grease the backs of the rear pads they will squeal.

As I prepare to leave the 25-54 demographic I still drive them pretty hard on the twisty county roads on the way to my cabin.

...Lee

[cn90]

1+,
My experience:

FRONT brake...
- Rotor can be Brembo, Balo, Zimmerman
- Pads: Padig, Textar

REAR brake...
- Rotor can be Brembo, Balo, Zimmerman
- Pads: I learned this from Ozark Lee, Mintex pads are the ticket!!!
Volvo OEM pads, and Autozone Duralast D31 will squeak like a pig.

[mecheng]

We should bookmark this, good to know the consensus

[dosbricks]

Thanks for the comments. I have tonight learned that ATE is the Volvo OE manufacturer and their rotors are made in Italy and are balanced. So I will probably go with those and some Mintex or Jurid pads. BTW, the ATE pads from IPD have the Volvo name on them and the rear ones also say made in India. As far as squeal, I have had better luck with the L shaped shims on the rear + silicone grease than the box shaped Teflon shims, which should hold the grease longer, but the slight canting of the pad on the L shaped shim seems to quiet them.

[scot850]

I have used various pads, and most have squeeled. The only ones I have had luck with are OE Volvo. The down-side is the amount of brake dust they generate. The previous owner of my 2000 V70R fitted what I believe are Akebono ceramic pads. Very little dust, but I do find the grip varies, until the pads get warm. As I don't drive like a crazy person (> 25-45 demographic) I can live with this.

I have mostly only used OE rotors over the years, but tried Zimmerman rotors on the 98 XC. The rears had to me machined as they warped almost immediately. Supplier refused to take back, so had them machined. Been ok for the last 30k miles. No brake squeal.

Neil.

[dosbricks]

As a follow up, I ordered from fcp the ATE front/rear brake kit and the tech was kind enough to swap out the Jurid front pads for the Mintex which Ozark lee and cn90 recommend. He put it together for the kit price minus a few bucks because the Mintex were a bit cheaper. Just wanted to let you all know, fcp will work with the customer to get the stuff you want at the best price

Thanks to everyone for their guidance on this issue.

dos

[cn90]

In my experience FRONT pads virtually never squeak.
For FRONT, I have used:
- Pagid
- Textar
with no issues.

The REAR pads are another story:
- Only Mintex works for me.

[instarx]

Everyone has their own preferences, but I can say that I could not be happier than with the ATE rotors and Akebono Premium ceramic pads. The combination stops the car butter smooth and will practically stand it on its nose if pressed hard. I have not had a single squeal since putting them on. Plus there is no dust on the wheels.

Unless you are going to run from the police or pull a trailer down a mountain, drilled or slotted rotors don't do anything. You stop no faster than with plain rotors. They may stay a bit cooler under hard braking, but they are reported to wear pads out faster.

[Ben850]

For my Sedan, I was fortunate to find old stock four-lug Brembo rotors for a great deal all around.
Akebono ceramics, Centric braided front lines and Raybestos front calipers refurbished.

For lug Brembo for '93

clearcoat experiment.

all said and done.

That all seems an oddball combination, but it is stopping well.

I have an installation prepared for my wagon, but it also involves replacing rear calipers. I have all parts. The previous owner had already installed IPD braided lines in front. Also leaving me with two other braided lines in a parts package.
I know there is only one other flexible line in the rear for the FWD, so it must have been an AWD kit.
The Raybestos calipers will go on the rear. Akebono ceramic all around again.

The only difference will be the Centric drilled and slotted rotors. I will have to update my opinion on those as it unfolds.
If I cannot break loose the lines from the rear calipers, I will replace those as well.

I am driving the wagon at present so I have to be careful not to have it disabled. One day ordeal if possible.
That is my situation at present. Yours will differ, I am sure.(hopefully in a good way)