My 96 850glt is starting to sound strange when coming up to stops. It doesn't make like a warped rotor sound... but more of a brake pads turned to sand paper and scraping the rotors... Does this mean my pads are soo low it has gone into the unsafe/warning material or something?

kevin
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1980 244DL, 1982 245GL, 1987 744GLE, 1991 245SE, 1996 855GLT, 2001 V70

Most likely you need new pads. When you just get to metal to metal conditions, it won't grind on every brake application. You have a '96, have you changed them yet. If not, then it's time is due. If grinding is occuring, then you will also need new rotors. Although many folks have experienced brake squeal with aftermarket pads, I have been thouroghly happy with the PBR pads and Zimmerman solid rotors. Just use plenty of anti-squeal gel on any pads that you use. Try fcpgroton.com for the pads and rotors. Best prices that I could find.

Hey Gordon,
Did the pads come with shims or did you just use the gel/grease?

Just a note:
Volvo pads do not have any warning material or a chirp sound (as some do)
to indicate wear. You have to visually inspect them. Bay 13 says that
when the pads are at 3mm (new is 12 mm) they need replacing and notes the
brake backing plate is 5mm (use it for visual comparison to the pad material).

Instead of all this guessing, why don't you just pull off the front wheels and look at the brake pad? It's easy to tell if they are too thin.

If it happens only just prior to coming to a stop, and after the brakes have been warmed up, read on...

Many people had the same issue, and they point to non-OEM rear brake rotors & pads. Not sure if front ones cause the same problem. For older pads, you need cut-away shims.

I have the same problem on 96 855t, even with OEM rear rotors and pads (according to my indy shop, anyway), but only when I brake very hard. When I drive & brake more gently, it doesn't happen even when the brakes are warmed up.

that is the exact same thing... like the first 1-2 stops, it is really smooth, then it get rough. Any way to stop this? Replace the pads??

kevin
--
1980 244DL, 1982 245GL, 1987 744GLE, 1991 245SE, 1996 855GLT, 2001 V70

See this post. You can find more doing search.

http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/index.htm?id=497585

Do a search on 'shudder' and 'shim'.

From what I heard, non-OEM rotor OR non-OEM pad can cause this. Use OEM brake parts. Who did your last brake work, and did they use OEM parts?

Again, I still have this issue with OEM parts, but only occasionally. Haven't fixed it yet.