Brake pedal too soft XC70 2005

adrian22 · Post by **adrian22** » 29 Jul 2016, 19:50

I just got the car w/107K miles in good condition but noticed that the brake fluid color is very dirty looking green/brown and the car has over 100K miles .Probably this was the original fluid. Brake pads are 50% and no leaks .I sucked out all master reservoir fluid 3 times and replaced with fresh DOT4 at one week interval, but still no more improvement .My older 850 has much firm pedal and quick brake grab than this car.
To make sure I removed all dirt and clean the brake lines and remover any air trapped inside I took it to a Volvo mechanic for brake fluid flush/bleed. He told me that this car has softer brakes normal and to bleed it is difficult because it has extra valves that older volvos do not have and recommend do not bled them. Any suggestions?

Post by **JRL** » 29 Jul 2016, 20:31

Install SS lines, flush and bleed again
It will be better

Post by **jimmy57** » 29 Jul 2016, 21:33

Make sure the front calipers have the wire spring fitted on the outside spanning the bracket with the turned ends seated in the holes in the caliper rest for outboard pads. The brakes should be great on that car and better than 850 brakes at stopping the car.

rimutakaman · Post by **rimutakaman** » 30 Jul 2016, 07:16

I think you were on the right track with your initial assessment: you have some air in the brake lines and they need to be bled.

I've never hear of someone recommending not to bleed brake lines.(I know that is a double negative, but it's early in the morning). If air is in the lines, you need to get it out of there. No? I've seen on other forums that DIY'ers have bled their brakes. The procedure seemed ordinary to me, although there was apparently a bit of discrepancy regarding whether to start at the LF wheel or the RR wheel. I suggest it does not matter since an ABS system isolates each brake line. There was no mention of extra valves or an atypical bleeding procedure.

Do not avoid what you know already, which was why you brought the car to the mechanic: there is air in the brake lines.

aero1310 · Post by **aero1310** » 30 Jul 2016, 22:11

Mechanic is prolly just bsing you to get his service. Like the other guy said, I have never heard anyone recommend not to bleed the lines...

Post by **abscate** » 31 Jul 2016, 05:46

Start looking for a new mechanic. Extra valves ?? Very strange.