1991 740 sedan 60K miles immaculate B230F

The front calipers are the ones with the two pistons on the inside only. The part of the caliper that bolts to the hub is the outer part i.e. the part without the actual piston calipers.

Anyhow the calipers rattle. Actually if I grab the inner half, is knock back and forth, like the guides that connect the two caliper halves together are worn down or loose. This i sthe same for both right and left side. When I drive with the windows open I can hear the calipers rattle over bumps. If I pump the breaks lightly, and I can actually hear the calipers tap back and forth.

Is this a common failure on these? Fix by replacing the guides and/or bolts?
Do I change the calipers to other ones (say from 940 or other yr 740)?

Let me know, thanks in advance,

Greg Mustang
Montreal - Canada
www.volvoclassic.bravehost.com

There are maybe six different calipers (of four basic designs) that are similar to what you've described. Go to the FAQ, identify your calipers. Buy new pads and slide pins. Problem solved.

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alex

Did the springs break off the pads? Those springs take up the slop and keep things quiet.

Girling brakes are prone to this. There is a cheap little spring on the outer edge of each brake pad, riveted to a tab on the pad backing plate. They break off after a year or so, often with half or more of the life of the friction material left. Then everything flops around and makes noise. The only fix is a new set of pads. Make sure to get the right ones. There are two types for Girling. The difference is which direction the arms of the spring point (in or out)

Worn slider pins can also contribute to this noise. Disassembling and cleaning them, and packing with heavy grease helps somewhat.

I had an 89 with Girling that did this repeatedly. My 88 with Bendix brakes is completely quiet in this area. The slider pins are much bigger and sturdier, and the tension springs are a totally different design. It is theoretically possible to change the calipers over, but probably more trouble than it's worth.