Just had the shop change front pads and turn rotors--coulda done it myself but the wife wanted the squeal to stop. It was quiet for 1 day , then back to a loud squeal every time I touch the brakes. I was thinking a stuck caliper, but now I'm thinking they put on maybe metallic pads by mistake?


Breadman 83 244GL 225K

Betcha a nickel it comes from the rear...

Regardless, the squeal is annoying. Most likely your shop did not use the teflon-coated shims Volvo devised to minimize the squeal. They go between the back of each disk pad and the caliper pistons, and are available at the Volvo dealer or thru on-line sources (IPD, FCP Groton) for $5 a wheel or less.

When you put in the anti-squeal shims, you should also carefully put a smear of Sil-Glide silicone grease on the back of each pad and also on the shim where it contacts the piston(s). Make sure the pads are a slip fit into the caliper, that is they don't bind fore-and-aft or in-and-out. You may need to take a file lightly to the edges of the backing plate to get clearance... I've had several pads with excessive paint which caused binding. Put a LIGHT smear of grease on the pins and the mating holes in the pads, but do NOT let any grease come near the friction material. This treatment has about a 99.5% effectiveness rate in elinating Volvo brake squeal!

Best pads to use in my experience are the PBR Deluxe. Make sure that your mechanic used the teflon and stainless steel shims. Also applying brake grease between shims and pads will help.