Front brakes feel and sound like there's sand grinding in them. Been going on for abt 6 mos - more noticable since I replaced rotors and pads. Pads are not Volvo OEM.

Serviced the brakes. Pads are fine; wearing fine, as are rotors. Guide pins are free and lubricated.

Replaced both ball joints.

Replaced both sway bar link pins, one that had a ruptured bushing, and all strut rod conical bushings.

When elevated and spun, both front wheels rotate great - no noise or indications of bearing problems.

What might be causing the noise and grinding sensations? Could a too hard pad compound cause this? Could a wheel bearing appear fine when unloaded but cause noise only under braking? Other thoughts?

Thanks.