I had my Volvo repair shop put on PBR Metallic pads during
my 90,000 mile service a few weeks ago. Following install,
I had no problems. But after 2 weeks they started squeeking
when doing low speed braking and light braking. I posted
here and got plenty of good ideas, but I couldn't help but
bring the car back to the repair shop and see what they had
to say.

They told me that when they did the brake job, they de-glazed
the rotors. After taking a look at the car yesterday, they
told me that they will have to machine them down and cut
the pads as well. They told me it will cost $75 to do the
machining on the rotors and that will be the extent of the
cost.

I'm a bit unsure of what I should do. Other BB'ers recommended
I put on OEM pads. But if the rotors are my problem, it doesn't
seem that this will fix the noise i'm getting.

I know from here on out, I will be doing a lot of my own
maintenance as it seems pretty straightforward and my financial
outlook declining with my status as a dot-com casualty.

Is it in my best interest to spend the $75 to have the rotors
machined by the repair shop?

-John

Hi John,

Go with the Volvo silicone brake lube - I paid $14 for a tube i think.

FWIW, I replaced my 850's rotors at 58K with OEM rotors and OEM pads- used the volvo silcone brake grease. I haven't a single squeal over the past 8K miles.

It has been reported frequently here that non -oem pads do squeel more often.

I know what you mean - I don't trust anyone to do the work on my cars unless I simply cannot do it.

Good Luck !

One new rotor costs $60.50 at www.volvoparts.com. I think
you are better off to buy 2 new ones. As a general rule,
Volvo rotors should not be turned, de-glazed, or machined.
Still, don't know if that would fix the sqeeling problem or not.

Also, I assume these are not the original rotors since front
rotors need replacing around 60K-70K miles. If they are original,
then I would not even consider anything but replacement. If
they are not original, then I assume they are about half way through
their life and will need replacement in 30K miles (next set
of front brake pads). (They should be measured to determine how
much life is left on them -- minimum size is stamped on the edge
of the rotor.) In the second case, I still think it is
cheaper to replace now ($121) since you will be buying new
ones in a couple years anyway ($75 now and $120 in two years).

Alright if this is the case, then I'm going to do the work myself.

The brake job that was done was beyond cheap and I'm at the point
where I do not trust any mechanic that sets a hand on my car. Plus,
its insulting that I had the brakes done to rid myself of squeeling
that was there and now it has reappeared and i'm out $250.

Now that i've finished venting...

I had the rotors replaced at approx 70,000 miles. By just looking
at the surface, I cannot see any noticable lip or any grooves on
the rotors themselves. I've talked to my local repair shop that my
parents use and they told me they could machine the rotors for $20
each.

I'm going to stop by Sears tonight and pickup a tool set that has the
sockets needed to take off the pads and rotors(per instructions at BAY13).

Is there a specific silicon grease i should purchase?

I'm going to keep the metallic pads for now, as my finances are lacking
to purchase yet another set of pads.

What else should I purchase to rid myself of the awful noises my brakes
are making?

Thanks guys!

Frustrated and fiscally impaired,

John

You will probably be surprised (or delighted) at how easy
the brakes are to service. Really easy job for the backyard
mechanic.

I used a tube of brake backing grease that I purchased at the
dealer. It was about $20 and they said enough for 3 axles.
But, I think you can get the same stuff at auto stores.

Oddly enough, the grease (from the dealer) also indicates
it can be used on interior parts to reduce squeeks.

most people don't reccomend "turning" the volvo rotors.

Should you really desire, you could probably scuff them up a little with sand paper, but generally, turning the rotor ends up being a precurser to warping hte rotor.

the sure way to quiet brakes is OEM parts.

the next best way is high-end (and I don't agree that PBR is high end, based on my own experiences, but IPD and my independant agree they are) replacements, meaning the most expensive raybestos or possible the Bosch pads installed witht he proper shims, grease on the slide pins and anti-squeak on the back of the pads.

turning the rear rotors for $75 is pricey when you can buy Balo rotors fro about $80 and have brand spankin' new ones about $60 for zimmerman etc.

if you've got the garage space to do it, do the rears on your own high high quality parts

For some reason lots of mechanics error in brake jobs by not putting a light coat of anti-seize on the backs of the brake pads!?! The anti-seize allows the pads to "float" and move around a bit; this is good. Do not use alot and be sure to put the anti-seize on the back of the pad.