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Braking issues -- soft in the morning 2001 S40 S40-V40

posted by  Arro on  Fri Nov 21 11:00 CST 2008
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last visit: Thu Feb 10 21:41 CST 2011
[RELATED]

My brakes feel precariously soft in the morning (or anytime after about 6 hours of non-use).

It feels like they are not going to stop the car; but then they do--slowly. What does it feel like? Like in the old days before power brakes. Or, when I've worked on my brakes and forgotten to bleed the air.

But after a few minutes, they work fine.

A couple of other clues:
Last night after about 45 minutes of driving, the ABS and BRAKE indicators lighted on the dash. The brakes seemed to be working fine, though. And when I turned the car off and restarted, the indicators went out.

For the first 7 years or so that I had my car, when depressing the brake pedal during the first 10 minutes or so of driving, there would be these short, soft buzzing noises. The dealership explained that that was the brakes calibrating.

I have not heard this noise in some time....

Arro Smith
Austin, Tex.








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    Braking issues -- soft in the morning 2001 S40 S40-V40

    posted by  Arro on  Mon Dec 29 04:09 CST 2008
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    last visit: Thu Feb 10 21:41 CST 2011
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    Following up:

    While futzing around under the hood, I discovered a broken plastic thing near the master cylinder. I took the broken plastic thing (with a strange spring hanging out of it) to Volvo to get a new plastic thing. It turned out to be part of the vacuum brake booster system.

    I attempted to replace it myself--but it was going to require tools and patience (that I don't possess right now). So I handed new plastic thing to nice (inexpensive) oil change mechanic and he installed it.

    Brakes work great now. Even early in the morning.

    Arro Smith
    Austin, Tex.








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    Braking issues -- soft in the morning 2001 S40 S40-V40

    posted by  Nmaslan on  Sat Dec 27 00:58 CST 2008
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    last visit: Fri Dec 30 18:34 CST 2011
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    Hi Arro

    Have you managed to solve your problem?

    I've noticed the same thing with my 2004 V40 recently. Am planning to flush the brakes tomorrow.

    Thanks!








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    Braking issues -- soft in the morning 2001 S40 S40-V40

    posted by  someone claiming to be Craig on  Tue Dec 16 06:43 CST 2008 [RELATED]

    I had a V40 00 some time ago. Seems like their was a problem with the pump/hoses that assisted the brakes when first starting. I think Volvo
    worked on it and replace the pump/hoses on that system for no charge
    It was some years ago, I don't remember the details. My brakes were
    weak when first backing out the driveway, and improved after the work.








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    Braking issues -- soft in the morning 2001 S40 S40-V40

    posted by  KlausC on  Wed Dec 3 08:03 CST 2008
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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    If you have a manual tranny, check the slave cylinder for leaks. Otherwise, mormit had your answer - flush your brakes ASAP.

    Klaus
    --
    Volvoless. Sold the R. There is now a void...








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    Braking issues -- soft in the morning 2001 S40 S40-V40

    posted by  Arro on  Fri Nov 21 11:03 CST 2008
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    last visit: Thu Feb 10 21:41 CST 2011
    [RELATED]

    Oh, and I have already topped off the brake fluid.








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      Braking issues -- soft in the morning 2001 S40 S40-V40

      posted by  mormit on  Tue Dec 2 16:59 CST 2008
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      last visit: Sat Jun 7 18:36 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      Topped off...but have you replaced the brake fluid once or twice in the past seven years? The stuff is hygroscopic so that will affect the brakes on the hot side but increased humidity and debris will degrade the seals and affect the brakes overall.

      I've become accustomed to or no longer notice the short shots from the vacuum pump on my seven year old S40 after start up. My S40 brakes are 100% from startup to the end of the trip.

      I have only replaced the pads once and brake fluid twice since new.

      mormit
      --
      02 S40 , 98 V70 T5 Koni FSDs, IPD swaybars and HD Endlinks, 85 245DL 278,000mi V15cam It takes a licking and keeps on ticking







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