I had my V40 (10K miles) in for normal scheduled service this week and asked them to look at the brakes, since I've heard on this list that the pads wear quickly, no matter how conservative you drive.

Well, sure enough, they say that the rear brakes have less than 3K miles left (fronts have 6K left). 13,000 miles on a set of brake pads is not acceptable to me. (The dealer wants $170 to replace the rears).

1. Can anyone explain why Volvo fits this type of soft pads?

2. Are there semi-metallic or other pads available that are 'better' (good bite/longer lasting)? Am I calling IPD?!

Thanks,

-Don

I have a 96 850 , not a 00 V/S 40, but I think Volvo has had this odd brake problem for a long time. I just replaced my front rotors and pads which had only 14000 miles on them. I think the pad surface is very small and the rotors are too light. I would think your brakes should be done for free since you just bought the car.

Install PBR brake pads, about 40.00. I don't endorse them I only have used them for the last 10 years, they used to be called Repco, I just finished isntalling them on my wife's V70.

When you push the caliper piston back in don't push the old fluid back in the lines, open the bleeder and let the fuid run out, make sure no air gets in.

Transfer the factory shims to the new ones, they don't have the shims, also, Volvo sells a tube of a special lubricant for the shims, it's worth buying.

Lastly if your rotors are getting to the min. thikness go ahead and replace them they cost about $55.00.

If your brake fluid has not been changed in the last two years, it would be a good idea to replace it now.

Good luck,

I had my brake pads replaced at 22,000 miles on my S70 and my car has 30,000 miles now and the dealer told me I need new brake pads (35% left) AND new rotors because my rotors aren't good. A $390 major brake job at 30,000 miles is unnacceptable so I feel for you. I REGRET not getting aftermarket pads which won't wear out the rotors as quickly so I suggest getting aftermarket pads from IPD or brakewarehouse.

which is now my own personal record for any car...although I understand that premature brake wear is a common complaint with US Volvos (and other cars).

I suspect driving technique.

In the Rest Of The World, about 85% of cars are delivered with manual transmissions, 15% with automatics. In the US, it's the opposite...about 15% manuals, 85% autos. For US Volvos, I'd guess about 97% are automatics.

What you (and a lot of other people) might possibly be doing is using the brakes to adjust the speed of your car, rather than the throttle and gearbox.

My $0.02.

-Uncle Olaf

Dear Uncle Olaf,

I'm mystified why you would reply to this question when you own a completely different car.

1. I was talking about a 2000 V40 not a '98 V70

2. and the reason I wrote in for brake pad advice is because the problem was atypical of any of my previous cars (both standard and auto trannys which) and that others on the list have had similar experiences.

3. I described my driving style which has nothing to do with exceptionally fast brake pad wear. In fact, I'm quite conscious of how and when I use my brakes. I certainly don't adjust my speed by riding the brakes.

I suspect...you are taking hallucinogenic drugs and ingesting alcohol while using a computer.

In fact, you are assuming things about a US '2000 V40 *or about the driver* that are not true. What would you do if YOUR new V40 only got 13,000 miles on it's first set of pads?

In fact, the dealer has acknowledged the problem.

Case closed.

-Uncle Don

Uncle Olaf wrote:

> which is now my own personal record for any car...although I

> understand that premature brake wear is a common complaint with US

> Volvos (and other cars).

> I suspect driving technique.

> In the Rest Of The World, about 85% of cars are delivered with manual

> transmissions, 15% with automatics. In the US, it's the

> opposite...about 15% manuals, 85% autos. For US Volvos, I'd guess

> about 97% are automatics.

> What you (and a lot of other people) might possibly be doing is using

> the brakes to adjust the speed of your car, rather than the throttle

> and gearbox.

I concur with your comments about driving technique & transmission type.

I live in an urban, but hilly location. I had a '87 740 turbo wagon with manual trans. & went for approx. 7 years/100,000km on a set of rotors (turned once at about year 5 I believe). I know the braking system was different, but I think the source of the problem is similar. Around here, people leave to go to work from the top of the mountain & ride the brakes on their automatics all the way down the hill, then hit a light at the bottom & keep the brake on with red hot rotors & the uneven cooling warps them. The indy mechanic who cared for my 740 has many customers for whom he has to replace the rotors yearly. He didn't believe me that I went 7 years until he checked his records. When I go down the mountain I hardly use the brakes at all & have a habit of holding the car at a light with the emerg. brake, allowing the rotors to cool uniformly. I think it works. On flat terrain, I don't follow too closely & tend to brake early & softly - maybe that helps as well.

Mark

Hi Mark,

Got a US '2000 V40?

Didn't think so.

Go concur somewhere else.

Thanks for playing and have a nice day.

-Don

PS / By the way guys, I'm not dissing Volvo, I like my V40. But the brake pad longevity sucks.

Mark Mayall wrote:

> I concur with your comments about driving technique &

> transmission type.

(snipped)

>Mark

>--

>Mark Mayall / 97 850 AWD 5-sp

I've heard that the problem can be caused by an improperly adjusted emergency brake cable (too tight). Have that checked and adjusted if so.