New Calipers Necessary at 71k?

wjl11 · Post by **wjl11** » 12 Aug 2003, 13:31

Hello,

Just got the news on my 1998 S70 with 71k miles.
It needs new calipers, roters and pads on both front brakes. $850 total for the job at the dealer.

Just wondering, is it unusual to get the calipers replaced?
And I know the dealer is expensive, but is this a complete ripoff?

Thanks,
Will

Post by **matthew1** » 12 Aug 2003, 14:07

Pads (second or third set) and rotors (first, or second if warped) sounds right. Calipers doesn't, under normal circumstances. What did he say about your calipers that makes him want to replace them?

wjl11 · Post by **wjl11** » 12 Aug 2003, 14:30

He said they were sticking and should be replaced. I know zip about cars so I had no idea what to ask. Other than "does this have anything to do with driving habits" he said "no" and "is this unusual?" he said "not very"

Post by **matthew1** » 12 Aug 2003, 16:09

Drive around, using the brakes lightly or not at all for 3 miles or more. If when you stop the wheels are hot, or you smell something burning, you do need calipers because they are sticking.

If they're not hot, it's still impossible to rule out needing new calipers because it's just hard to diagnose over the internet.

Chad E. · Post by **Chad E.** » 12 Aug 2003, 17:33

I just purchased a 98 S70 and the Rotors and Breaks needed to be replaced as well. It has 69,000 miles on it so I would say that it isn't unusual for the mileage. The dealership had it done before I bought the car and they didn't say anything about the Calipers. I actually have no idea what those are..

But, as far as the Breaks and Rotors, it must be normal.

~C

wjl11 · Post by **wjl11** » 13 Aug 2003, 15:01

Seems everytime I bring the car in for a standard maintenance it's either the tires or the brakes that need replacing. A Volvo is very expensive to maintain.

Post by **matthew1** » 13 Aug 2003, 15:26

Try an independent Volvo mechanic. Tell him you want "Volvo OEM parts" and ask for a quote over the phone for pads/rotors/calipers (assuming you need them).

Then you can compare price apples to apples. Or don't mention calipers to the indy, but bring it in to get the brakes checked and see what he says, if he thinks they're necessary.

AutoX47 · Post by **AutoX47** » 13 Aug 2003, 18:20

NEW calipers would cost more than you are paying altogether, they probably will just rebuild them or get a rebuilt unit and send in yours as a core. Thats not an unreasonable price from a dealer. I charge ~50 or 60 an axle for rebuilding calipers (+ shipping) but Im fairly cheap

93 & 97 850s · Post by **93 & 97 850s** » 28 Aug 2003, 10:09

My 97 front caliper seized up at 60

comon problem along with all the others

Herve · Post by **Herve** » 28 Aug 2003, 11:24

Hi,
Rotors needing to be replaced at 71k is not all that unusual, particularly if you live in colder/salt-use areas of the country. As the brake pads wear, the caliper pistons move further and further out of their housings, and sometimes are reluctant to be pushed all the way back in when you install new pads, necessitating caliper replacement.

The best way to check is to remove caliper and see if you can push it back into the housing; moderate pressure from a c-clamp is ok here. If you're not into that, you can usually tell by carefully listening for faint (or loud....) grinding, or if the car feels like it's not drifting as far as it should when you take your foot off the gas.

Not sure what the calipers cost, but $850, dealer price, for replacement of calipers, new pads, cutting rotors is not all that outrageous.

Hope this helps,
Herve