Brakes: Electronic handbreak V60

[Escottystar]

Hi all
Please can you help. I am looking to buy a Volvo V60 r design 2012 tomorrow but I have just realised it has an electronic handbreak. I would therefore like to ask if this is a common issue with these cars. I currently have a 2006 VW Passat which has had lots of problems with the electronic hand break which is very costly to fix as the motor and break pads are one unit. Is this a similar set up as on the V60 and is this a a common issue with these cars?

I would really appreciate your feedback
Cheers scotty

[green van man]

I have an xc70 with the EPB, in 6 years of ownership have had no problems. Changing pads I use the 9 volt battery method and do not disturb the motors.

At some point in the car's life I expect to change the calipers and being a Volvo I expect the parts to be expencive, however volvo are not tne only supplier of these parts and volvo buy them in anyway so alternate suppliers will be available. If the control module fails I expect it will be very expencive, whatever make of car. Mine is 10 years old and still working.

A word of caution to anyone thinking of removing volvo calipers for any reason, have a brake pipe flaring tool and spare ends available before you start as the unions are made of soft cheese and if you can get them out they will not be fit for furather use in my experiance.

I am told my xc calipers are the same as or similar to the vw passat, have not compared them so cannot vouch for that information.

Paultimately.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Escottystar

Hi all
Please can you help. I am looking to buy a Volvo V60 r design 2012 tomorrow but I have just realised it has an electronic handbreak. I would therefore like to ask if this is a common issue with these cars. I currently have a 2006 VW Passat which has had lots of problems with the electronic hand break which is very costly to fix as the motor and break pads are one unit. Is this a similar set up as on the V60 and is this a a common issue with these cars?

I would really appreciate your feedback
Cheers scotty

There were a few faulty control units 12 years ago when the electric parking brake was first used by volvo , but failures were covered by warranty , failures now are very few and far between .

[Zebster]

My V60 is the first car I've owned with an electric handbrake and I'm very pleased with how it functions.

[Whippy]

The 06 Passat was notorious for epb probs, the fixed it in 07 with revised calipers. I've never had any issues with the system.

[BillHop]

Originally Posted by green van man

I have an xc70 with the EPB, in 6 years of ownership have had no problems. Changing pads I use the 9 volt battery method and do not disturb the motors.

At some point in the car's life I expect to change the calipers and being a Volvo I expect the parts to be expencive, however volvo are not tne only supplier of these parts and volvo buy them in anyway so alternate suppliers will be available. If the control module fails I expect it will be very expencive, whatever make of car. Mine is 10 years old and still working.

A word of caution to anyone thinking of removing volvo calipers for any reason, have a brake pipe flaring tool and spare ends available before you start as the unions are made of soft cheese and if you can get them out they will not be fit for furather use in my experiance.

I am told my xc calipers are the same as or similar to the vw passat, have not compared them so cannot vouch for that information.

Paultimately.

Having to change a caliper is usually caused by corrosion due to water in the brake fluid.
If you thoroughly bleed the brake likes and calipers whenever you change brake pads, you can reasonably expect the calipers to last for the life of the car. You MUST also use the correct grease on the caliper fasteners and guide pins.
I've been doing this for almost 50 years and have never once replaced a caliper.

[dingov70]

On the subject of correct greases , I have moved onto using ceramic grease on pads & sliders and a smear of red rubber grease around piston if I can get to it

I stopped using copper grease after a technical seminar revealed copper particles can & do affect ABS sensors , leading to to unnecessary repairs . You may also have noticed that many sets of brake pads also come with a sachet of molybdenum grease for just that reason

[green van man]

Originally Posted by BillHop

Having to change a caliper is usually caused by corrosion due to water in the brake fluid.
If you thoroughly bleed the brake likes and calipers whenever you change brake pads, you can reasonably expect the calipers to last for the life of the car. You MUST also use the correct grease on the caliper fasteners and guide pins.
I've been doing this for almost 50 years and have never once replaced a caliper.

Or water getting past the piston dust Shields.

I change brake fluid every 2 years useing a vacuume bleeder. While not having trouble on the xc70 which is 10 years old did on the 1999 P1 v70 which used 2 pistons on the rear caliper and on the landrover which uses similar calipers but does wade water troughs and rivers.
Indeed it is such a known problem that stainless steel pistons are available for them as an aftermarket purchase. Half the problem is that the rear brakes do not work hard enough to remain free unless heavy towing is undertaken with these vehicles.

It was on the P1 I found the pipe ends to be soft cheese, even a top quality flare spanner rounded them.

The later volvos use the rear brakes a lot more and the EPB helps keep the piston moving also. I have however known problems on single piston slider calipers when the sliders siezes. Merc sprinters are renowned for the problem, lost count of the number of times my works van has had to have caliper sliders freed off or new caliperst fitted, just glad I'm not picking the bill up.

Paul.

[big square car]

Traded in my previous trusty 2009 V70 earlier this year. No problems whatsoever with the EPB or any other part of the braking system in just over 100,000 miles