98 S70T5

Hi all,

My mom's car was just taken to a local shop recently, not a Volvo tech, dealer or anythign like that, and they had to replace the front rotors and pads. She has always taken the 240 there, and won't drive an hour to a Volvo shop. Well, instead of replacing the rotors they resurfaced them. I know for the 240s you are never supposed to resurface the rotors, but is that for all Volvos or just the 240s?? Now there is a noticeable lip in the rotors when I run my finger from the inside to the outside. It is small, yet noticeable. Was this the right thing for the mechanic to do, or were we supposed to get new rotors??

Thanks,

Smith T

Depends on how much metal there is in the rotors. Volvo's are relatively thin, so they recommend against this, Also, the replacement Volvo rotors are relatively cheap.

-BTC

There is no "supposed to" unless the rotors can not be trued up without going beyond the minimum thickness allowed. My own feeling is that if rotors are turned they will warp quickly, but your mom will get some more use out of them before they need replacement. There are three reasons for turning rotors. One is to remove grooves and ridges. Another is to remove high spots that cause uneven braking. The third is that the shop is paying for their brake lathe.

I never turn my rotors. I figure that the pads will conform to ridges and that removal of metal will cause hot spots and warping. Many people do not agree with me on this, but unless the rotor is warped or too thin I leave it alone.