I need a little help from all of you. As you can see I have an '84 Turbo Coupe. I also drive an 03 Nissan 350Z and occasionally my husband's 02 Nissan Maxima SE. I am using the Volvo as mainly a highway pig (weekends), but a city driver (no more than 15 miles per day) during the weeks. I recently switched my OEM Nissan pads on my 350Z to Hawk HPS pads, and left the rotors stock, and I like the feel they give me.

I am looking for a good combination pads/rotor set up. I replaced my first set of pads and rotors after 100k miles. And almost immediately the new pads and rotors didn't like me. I have severe warpage and am looking to replace both components. I understand I won't get the feel I do from the newer Nissans, but I need something to bite when traffic comes to a hault on the highway that won't glaze over when I hit them. By the way, brake dust is of NO concern.

Off the top of my head I don't if I have ATE or Girling calipers. I am looking at going with PBR's, but have no experience with them. Any of your help is greatly appreciated!!

Jenn
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84 Silver 240 Turbo Coupe 4+OD MT *** 03 Chrome Silver Nissan 350Z 6MT

On my 740, I use ATE Powerdisc rotors and Mintex pads, both purchased from FCPGroton. The rear, I have regular ATE rotors. I drive in NYC traffic every single day, and my car brakes perfectly silently. Recently, I have noticed some very very minor vibration in front when I brake moderately, but it disappears after the brakes have warmed up. Barely a shudder really. The braking power is excellent, and I love the feel of the pedal, especially after I replaced it with stainless steel brake hoses (HUGE improvement from those.)

I strongly suggest that combination of upgrades/replacement parts.

Also, I strongly recommend you and everyone else read this about exactly what rotor 'warp' really is.

http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/warped_rotors_myth.htm

There is strictly speaking no such thing as rotor 'warp', but this does an excellent job of explaining what causes the symptoms, and it also tells you how to hopefully prevent it and how to properly break in your brakes.
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Ken
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'

As the others mentioned, I too have learned that 240's do best with OEM brake parts if possible. Non-OEM parts seem to cause problems for these cars sometimes.

The Volvo OEM pads are the way to go.

Rotors - Obviously, OEM is best if you are willing to spend the $$$. I've heard that Brembo is most similar to OEM. Just got Brembo for the rear of my car. Don't think you can go wrong, however, with any quality brand such as Balo, ATE or Brembo...

BTW - Are you sure the front rotors are warped? The rears can warp too. If your seat shakes when applying your brakes then it's your rears. BTDT!!

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90 244DL 253K - original engine/drivetrain :)

Thanx! I would bet a million bucks it's the fronts that are warped. The poor steering wheel shakes so violently it's so annoying it's enough to let off the pedal and smash into the poor person in front of me!!! I've been on aftermarket pads and rotors for eight years now. It has been OK, I do alot of driving, but for the most part I never have to brake much, I'm a down shifter and look well beyond the three cars in front of me to avoid any mishaps...But the last set I put on seemed to go down hill fast!

If my husband would let me, of coarse, I'd change the whole braking system to upgrade it somehow with steel lines, new claipers, the whole nine yards. Oh then some!

Thanx again,
Jenn
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84 Silver 240 Turbo Coupe 4+OD MT *** 03 Chrome Silver Nissan 350Z 6MT

I've had good luck with ATE rotors and PBR or Mintex pads in daily NYC Traffic.

No squeal and no warpage.

I agree with the Soul Brother. OEM parts are the way to go.

FCP Groton carries a set of genuine Volvo front pads for $35.00. ATE front rotors are $33.00 each. You could spring for the "genuine Volvo" rotors at $89 a pop, but from what I understand ATE was the OEM. This combination should last for a very long time (50K pads, 100-150K rotors) and perform well - but the pads *are* dusty as all get out.

Fairly certain that your '84 has Girling front calipers.

Correction on the price of the front rotors - they are $30 each, not $33. You should be able to get what you need for around $100 out the door including shipping.

I have never driven a 350Z, but the brakes in my 244Ti are among some of the best that I have ever used. They will stop the car on a dime from any speed and are not at all 'mushy' - doesn't take much pressure on the pedal to produce the desired result at the front wheels.

Thanx for your help. I have never heard of FCP Groton pads. I suppose they are similar to OEM pads?? What distributor sells them? How do you think the ATE rotors compare to the Brembos?

My last "go-round" with OEM Volvo pads and rotors made me practically sell the car becuase of all my problems. I had an 83 240 DL, sedan, that ruined some rotors in my time of driving...of coarse I was 16,17,and 18 years old then.

Thanx So much again!
Jenn
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84 Silver 240 Turbo Coupe 4+OD MT *** 03 Chrome Silver Nissan 350Z 6MT

FCP Groton (Foreign Car Parts of Groton) is an aftermarket distributor of Volvo, BMW and Saab parts. Website is fcpgroton.com

Many of us DIY'ers (do it yourselfers) buy our parts from them because their prices are good and the quality is generally good too!

What Charles said is OEM brake pads are available thru FCP Groton...

Again, just my opinion, but Volvo pads are the way to go. Volvo or good quality rotors are important too. Brembo, ATE or Balo. See FCPGroton.com for more info or do a search on this site using "brake pads" or "rotors" and you'll see tons of old posts.....

G'luck,


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90 244DL 253K - original engine/drivetrain :)

iPd sells a lot of this stuff too for pretty good prices.

Check them out at http://www.ipdusa.com
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If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as 'Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!'

The Volvo pads will give high quality stopping, and are nice and quiet too.

They are also dusty as hell.
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If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as 'Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!'