I recently posted my problem with brake sqealing and got several replies that the problem was more than likely warped rotors. I was planning on going ahead and replacing the front and rear rotors and have come across a number of brands out there: Brembo, Zimmerman, Beck/Arnley, Raybestos, etc. Most brands don't seem to vary in price much but is there a preferable brand and also, how should I match pads to these rotors to maximize performance and life?

Jim

I just did our 95 850 following instructions at Bay 13:

http://volvospeed.com/bay13.htm

I used OEM parts (rotors are $60 each and front pads are $42
a pair at www.volvoparts.com). You also need the Silicon Grease
to prevent squeeling. I had to get that at a local dealer for
$15 to $20 (I forget, it was expensive). By the way, the front
rotors were at minimum size with about 58K miles on them and needed
replacing from wear (not warped).

I use OEM since I find the stock performance is very good and have
been happy with it.

After market pads are also often reported (here) as a common cause of
brake squeeling (I have no experience with them though).

Just chiming in that I agree with Ray. OEM is the way to go. I did all four wheels with OEM rotors/pads and lots of grease. I don't know the brand my mechanic put on before (pre-brickboard/volvospeed days), but they squealed incessantly. Plus, the OEM rotors include new bolts for the caliper bracket! Just be prepared for *lots* of brake dust.

Our '95 850 GLT is approaching 80k and has needed new front rotors since we got it 5k ago.( I'm waiting for a warm spell-garage is not heated) The ipd catalog has Brembos and another rotor that is a "power slot" rotor. I'm going with the latter. I can give a thumbs up on Brembo products though, as they are on our Beemers and have been flawless with awesome braking power. Good Luck

personally, i would go with brembos. they're OEM.
regards

As far as i know Brembo are not OEM at all. They are made either in Skovde where they make the engines and saab brakes or are zimmerman in germany. I will ask that question at the end of the month as i am visiting the factory this month again.

I have tried a set of slotted but i am having problems with one of the the tollerance is not very good so its scraping again the caliper. I have had to go back to all OEM to stop the sequeal and rattling from non-OEm stuff. Yes this is a greater increase in dust to i use 'wounder wheel' to clean my alloys with.

The power slots mentioned are made by ATE and when i last checked were not being made for 850's only pre our cars.

mark.
UK VOC 94 850glt 2l 20v 169k.

Jim, I just replaced my rear rotors last week because of squealing and one was warped. Job took me 2.25 hours (had trouble releasing emergency brake cable). The cost of Zimmerman rotors was $65 including shipping! That's $27/each. I got 'em from FCP GrotonVolvo. I got my pads from Megaparts. But the new rotors made the difference! The car brakes really nice now!