I have an 81 245 GLT non turbo that needs to the rear break pads replaced.

Is there an easy way to determine whether my calipers are ATE or Girling?

Autozone says that the GLT models require different pads than a GL or DL.

What's the diff?

Thanks in advance, Carl

Anyway, the front pads are D43's and the rear pads are D44's. Amen

I'd bet a small sum your rears are ATE and your fronts are Girling. Seems to be the set-up on every 80's 200 I've seen in USA/Canada. Autoscrew-up, I mean Autozone is probably being goofy on the ventilated fronts vs. non vented front discs....lots of places get weird at this decision point.

Now that rings a bell, Paul. But it would'nt hurt to check. The rears are clearly not vented. I have never seen any ventilated rotors on Vovlo rear wheels whihc is I understand are the brakes in question I think...is this not true?

On the other hand my 86 actualy did not come with fronted vents, despite they werew to be OEM that year. Since I bought the care used, it could have been changed (unlikely). I put vented discs on at my first opportunity, and now I have Girlings all around....a sort of anomoly in the mixed up world of Volvo OEM brakes...

Who said anything about ventilated rears? I just said the fact that some cars came with vented fronts screws up the listings in some parts books even for the rear....seen it more than once.

Your rears are are Girling? Are you sure? Maybe that is an 86 and up thing.

Sorry, I guess I didn't get that connection you made. The original post was talking about replacing the rear pads. Now you got me thinking about the '86...perhaps they are ATEs all around. I'd have to check. I never remember these things, so I have to write them down. My point was that they are the same front and rear. sorry about that!

"Your rears are are Girling? Maybe that is an 86 and up thing."

My '87 has ATE rears.

It's been awhile, but most calipers are stamped witha symbol denoting its manufacturer: G=Girling..etc. If you can, take the rim off and take a look. WIth that age car, it might not be as easily readable as you might hope.

Check this site:

http://www.volvoworld.com/VIN/CIL81.htm

If they're girling they have a hair-pin type securing on the retaining pins, and the holes which the pins pass through are centered above the flat between the two ears that they pass through.

ATE have a pin with an internally expanding "thick" end that holds the pin in place once it is tapped into position with a bit of force. Also the ears that the pins pass through are almost nonexistant- the holes are lower- centered down in the "body" of the pad.

So, basically you *have* to check beforeyou go to the parts store. In Canada it's even more at random, as most cars sold here were assembled here for tax reasons. There was a plant in Halifax.