Just found this site. GREAT place. We purchased our Volvo about 2.5 years ago due to the safety reputation. As a 20+ yr firefighter, I have NEVER had to extricate ANYONE out of a Volvo. Last shift though we had to pop a door to a Geo Storm under the butt end of a bus, but that's another story altogether.
The wife drives an 850 and I replaced the brake pads for the 1st time since purchase. The rear ones now squeal. I searched the archives and found an older response to apply an "IPD backing material" to the back of the pads. Are there any other suggetions? Thanks in advance!

Thefireman
GOD is my Fire Chief, JESUS is my Incident Commander

Have a look at this handy site:

http://www.volvospeed.com/bay13.htm

Covers most common repairs. The rear brake section shows how to cut out
some shims (for the rear) that match an updated shim design.

You can minimize squeal by

-buying the Volvo brake pads rather than aftermarket. The Volvo pads seem to be softer with a lot more brake dust on your wheels but less squeal;

-make sure that you reinstall the brake shims. These are the small metal plates between the old pads and the caliper. They serve as sound dampners; and

-use a small amount of synthetic brake grease (no general pupose grease; brake grease only) between the back of the brake pads and the caliper and a small amount where back plate slides in the caliphers using great care not to get any on the pads. CRC makes a product that you can use instead of the brake grease between the back of the plate and the caliper specifically designed to reduce squeal. I haven't tried it but CRC generally makes good products. NAPA has it.

What brand pads did you use? IF you used PBR Deluxe pads - there is NOTHING you can to to or with these pads to shut them up, except replace them. Ask me how I know this. IPD gave me PBR Metal Masters - they work great. The Deluxe pad composition changed (to elimate asbestos) and went in the toilet.

The older post you refer to may be talking about using teflon coated shims. They work with most pads.
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Paul's Amsoil and other lubricants