Hey guys and gals:

I've got brakes that sound like a freight train is stopping on the rear of my 97-850. It's just the rears that I can't seem to quite down and I've had them out about 4 or 5 times already. I've tried it all, Bay 13, FCPGroton paste on one side, on both sides, on no sides, name it I've tried it.

I would be eternally grateful if someone could suggest something that I haven't tried or else I might just have to take this 850 out in the backyard and put it out of its misery!!!

Thanks in advace,

Henry

You should not have brake noise if:

1) Use only Volvo Rotors
2) Use only Volvo oem pad
3) Use only Volvo Silicone brake grease

Replace all together at the same time.

Have had my 850 for 10 plus years and never any brake noise adhering to the above rules.

Good Luck

Shims in correctly?

I don't remember, but I beleive the cut out part goes up. I think VolvoSpeed has that info, or for sure fcgroton does. I did the grease on both sides and on the back of the pads. No issues here.

Can you give me the correct procedure for the shims and the paste. I think I've tried it all but maybe I did something wrong.

Thanks!

Can you give me the correct procedure for the shims and the paste. I think I've tried it all but maybe I did something wrong.

Thanks!

Pad glazing may be the problem. Remove the pads and try sanding them down a little. Lay some 150 grit paper on a hard flat surface and make some figure 8's with the pads 'til they looked roughed up a bit.

I had the same problem with my '95 last year and replacing the pads didn't help. It turned out to be the rotors. They needed to be machined just a little bit and they've been perfectly quiet since then. If your rotors have a fair number of miles on them, they might not be able to be machined down enough for safety sake. Then you should get another set. Good luck.

As I understand it, one of the major causes of squealing is pad glazing due to improper break-in or improper mating with the rotor. For instance, IPD will not warranty their brake components unless pads and rotors are replaced as a set. Then, take the car around the block and run it up to 15 mph, bring it to a stop--do this about 10 times to seat the new components without glazing the pads. If you didn't do all this (in addition, of course to the anti-squeal paste in the right paces), that could be your problem.

FYI, I am going to replace my rears shortly with PBR Metal Master pads and Zimmerman rotors (even though the current rotors are not badly worn). I did this last year on the fronts and have had no dust or squeal at all. If my rears end up squealing, I'll jump in the boat with you!

96 850T, 106K miles. Recently Installed New Bilstein HDs (Love 'em!!) Installing IPD sway bars Friday

Typically it is caused by the glazed pads AND rotors and as others have stated if you have enough meat left in the rotors you can try cutting them. If you are running factory Volvo pads they should have one shim already bonded to the pad back, grease that shim and then put on your draw bridge shim. I never paid attention to which way it went it, I know it goes in with the arrow pointing up. Do your shims have an arrow stamped into them? If it were me I would hang brand new factory shims, pads, and rotors with the appropriated grease on the pads and shims. Clean the rotors real well, clean the hub that they mount on also and torque everything down especially the wheel.

Jack43, that is interesting the results you get with the PBR's. I have a few customers that swear by them but for the most part I swear at them. In my experience they are the single loudest brand of brake pads I have used. Not that I have not seen a quiet set, because I have, but man oh man they can be loud. I sure like the wear factor though, darn things wear like iron but when they squeal like a freight train AND wear like iron it is a doubled edged blade there. I tried a few different rotors when I first opened my doors years ago and I really liked the Zimmerman rotors from the mark up perspective but when I found myself redoing brake jobs becuase of rotor pulsation I had to wonder how much profit I was really making when I was doing a brake job no less than twice to get paid for it once. Not to mention the hit you take in customer confidence. I run factory Volvo pads and either factory rotors or ATE. If I am using something else it is at a customer's request and they get to sign off on the squeaks and pulsations. I hope your brakes turn out bitchen and give you years of smooth,quiet service.

Mark

Thanks for all the advice guys! I'll try all new and go from there.

Henry