Howdy

My '01 S80 (55000 miles)now has brake pulsations. Have previously replaced front pads, but nothing on back done. Quick check of pads show them to be OK both front and back. No sign of rotor scoring. Never turned front rotors as replaced pads with low-dust brand for convenience.

Do Volvos like to warp rotors? Are these rotor insertsreplaceable or does the entire front assembly need to be replaced? Any thoughts of back brake problems--anyone here ever need to redo the rear brakes?

thanks

DocVB

In our experience, pulsating brakes are often a precursor to needing new rotors.

As the rotors get thin, they warp easier.

I always torque the lug nuts myself after a tech has had the wheels off.

In many new cars, rotors are considered wear items, the cost of good braking.

I think that I read that the drivers at Road & Track wore the rotors out on their extended test Porsche Boxter at something like 15,000 miles. (I do not really remember the mileage, but I DO remember that it was about half of what I expected!)
--
96 855R, 95 855,854, 90 744 Ti - 343,000 Volvo miles put on 7 bricks

Warped rotors are common, especially if you get your work done where the mechs don't use proper torque when putting the wheels back on. Ever have to jump on a lug wrench to get the nut to brake loose?
Rotors are replaced all of the time, usually after the second set of pads wears out. Try some good after market ones. There are lots of discussions on the archives on which is best.
When I get my car back from a mech who has taken the wheel(s) off, I immediately loosen the lug nuts and re torque them to proper specs and rotation.

Klaus
--
95 854T, 88 780, 88 245

All cars can have warped brake discs.Brakes wear just like any wearable part whether it's pads or discs.I've never worked on a Volvo that didn't need pads discs or both at one time or another.Cars are like humans they must be maintained , and it costs money. experttech

All cars can have warped brake discs.Brakes wear just like any wearable part whether it's pads or discs.I've never worked on a Volvo that didn't need pads discs or both at one time or another.Cars are like humans they must be maintained , and it costs money. experttech

all of the above statements are true in leading to pulsating or vibrating brakes. another culprit which many people over look is washing the car right after a long drive. after driving for a long period of time, the discs are extremely hot. when they get splashed with cold water from washing they rapidly and unevenly cool causing a warping of the discs.

i have had this happen a long time ago with a 760. i was able to resurface the discs and replace the pads to eliminate the vibration. since then i only wash my cars in the morning before driving it and have never had this problem again.

hope this helps