V40 Brakes replaced at 20k ? Topic is solved

tmevns · Post by **tmevns** » 13 Oct 2003, 15:32

My '02 v40 just needed $670.00 in brake work after only 20,600 miles of mostly city driving. Is this normal ??? Rear pads were down to 2mm and rear rotors needed to be machined. Front pad was wearing unevenly due to a seized brake slide from corrosion and was down to 1mm, front rotors were resurfaced. When I asked the dealer if driving style caused this or what I could do to prevent it, he said "S**t happens". Comments ???

Tsquared · Post by **Tsquared** » 13 Oct 2003, 17:23

$670 for a brake job - ouch! The dealer made a nice profit. Brakes have been a topic that comes up often. The Volvo brakes have always had a short life. Do a search on on brakes and you will get a vast amout of information.

My preferance; I am a "do it yourselfer" for minor maintenance. My last brake job on my 850 I needed to replace rear pads, the front rotors and front pads. I picked up Brembo rotors (about $50 each) and the recomended type of brake pad (about $32 front & $28 rear) for the rotors from Nopi. My rear rotors were not scored so I did not resurface. You need to put a good quality grease on the back side fo the brake pads to minimize squelling - don't put too much as the grease will burn off. Any corrosion on the slide bolts is ploished off and a light coating grease is used to prevent any further corrosion. It ook about 45 minutes start to finish to do the brake job.

If you don't do your own brakes, at least carry your car to a brake specialist as they will not bend you over as badly as the dealer service departments.

Kris · Post by **Kris** » 21 Oct 2003, 10:28

I've just hit 60K on my 2000 S40. I drive on the highway with minimal breaking about 75% of the time. I've already replaced my rear pads twice, the second time needed rotors as well. The fron breaks have only been replaced once, but the rotors are wearing and I will need new ones with my next set of front pads.

guest in NJ · Post by **guest in NJ** » 04 Apr 2004, 10:06

WOW - you got 20K out of a set of brakes - I have a 2000 v40 1.9T - Every 15k I needed brakes. As I have been told by the dealership it a Front wheel drive car and thats what happens. I may have been born at night but it was not last night. Checking with Volvo district service manager - This is a known problem and Volvo was looking into it.

Low and behold and Safety notice on braking problem has just come out from Volvo and the NTSA.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 26 Apr 2005, 14:36

What did the notice say? Do you have a link?
I just bought a 2001 V40 and have to do the rear breaks and have about 30% left on the front- this forum is making me nervous!