Periodically I see posts from folks asking for advice and information concerning brake work. In many cases the questions suggest that the correspondent does not understand how braking systems work and/or how they are constructed. For the record I'm an ASE Master Technician and retired secondary Automotive and Diesel instructor and have been a Volvo owner [and technician] since my first 544 in 1965.

I like to see folks take care of and understand their cars. I like to encourage folks to do as much of their own work as possible because it leads to better understanding and care. But I don't like to see the ill-informed and amateur work on brakes. Basic brake work appears simple but errors are one of the few things that can kill you. Screw up a timing belt and it won't start or obviously runs like crap, screw up brakes and the car doesn't stop.

But if you are determined to plunge ahead:

Have a manual;
Have the correct tools for the job;
Familiarize yourself with the procedures and parts;
Purchase good quality parts;
If you break something, get help.

Consider the mass-market brake shops and consider how often they are unable to correctly repair brake problems. It's one thing to pad-slap a car [and pretty easy on most Volvo applications] but quite another to diagnose and repair the cause of shudder or low pedal or squeal.

So do us a favor. Take on the most challenge that you can but leave some of the work to professionals.