I have a 1986 GLE Turbo Diesel Wagon and have two problems with it. The first has been goin on for about 2 months and the second about a week.

Usually when I go to back up (sometimes when going forward) it makes a loud screeching noise (like metal on metal) off and on. I know it is coming from the back two wheels because I rotated the tires yesterday and heard the noise when spinning the wheels when it was on jacks. I'd compare it to the noise that would be made on brake pads that were down to the metal, only this happens without hitting the brake. I'm not sure how to tell if the pad is worn or not but it looked pretty thick still, but there wasn't a whole lot sticking past the edge of the caliper. On my Xterra I can clearly see where the metal indicator tab is but I didn't even see one on the Volvo pad so maybe the metal is embedded into the pad if this is the problem?

My grandfather was the original owner and about 4 years ago (when it was at 95K and 18,000 miles ago) he had the front/rear brake pads replaced. There's also a note stating that the rear rotors are slightly bad but will not replace them yet. Does anyone know what may be causing this sound? Could the brake pads be worn down already just after 18 K or could the noise be coming from the rotors being bad? Are the rotors easy enough to do myself? If I need to get new brake pads are the Volvo OEM the best to get?

Also, the past week the car has been shaking a lot when turning the wheel. I checked the power steering fluid chamber and it was REALLY low so I topped it off to the COLD line with almost an entire bottle of power steering fluid. It doesn't seem to do it as bad now but it still shakes a little. Does anyone know what may be causing this and how to fix it?


Thanks,

Jeff