Brakes: - Abs? - Page 2

Mike_Brace · Jan 27th, 2007, 23:21

The first thing I would ask is when was the brake fluid last changed? It absorbs moisture over time reducing its ability to withstand heat. Brake a lot and the water boils and when you push the pedal down - nothing! The brakes should not fade. If the pedal moves slightly up and down under braking the discs are warped. If you replace suggest you get ATE discs - they are a reasonable price at Euro Car Parts. Beware of cheap and unknown makes. I was reading a trade article about discs and a large sample of discs were tested and a large percentage were of poor or dangerous quality. Stick to ones from a company that specialises in brake parts. A lot of companies buy in from low-cost countires where quality control is poor. The extra few pounds for Ate discs is money well spent.
When fitting discs and pads replace hold down kit as well and make sure the pads can move freely in the caliper. This is an ideal time to change the fluid as well.
The MOT only requires a certain efficiency to be reache which is very low compared to what a 240 can achieve. The only other inspection is visual for any defects. It doesn't show that the brakes are working as well as they can and should be.

Mike

Mike

minesa240x3 · Jan 28th, 2007, 02:09

Hi mike as usual you give brilliant advice and in an easily understandable way.
quite agree with what you say and of course i will change brake fluid as i intend to replace flexible pipes all round as well as other perishable parts,the way i look at it is that if these original parts have lasted this long then by using original parts again should see the car last another thirteen years,i never cut corners when it comes to safety so the whole braking system will be as new.thank you very much for your reply,amazing how many people dont realise that brake fluid deteriates with use(age)
just a little side story:my mate used to work for j.d barclay in oxford on RollsRoyce,one customer came in with smoke pouring off all four wheels,he had completely melted the brakes and anything near them!!when asked what had happened his reply was that:just after leaving london the brake pedal went almost to the floor so when it felt hard again he thought he had better KEEP HIS FOOT slightly on the pedal just to be safe,almost blew the tyres out.all in all a very expensive repair bill.
keep up the good work.
very slight up and down of pedal when brakes cold(warped discs)no fade when hot.

Mike_Brace · Jan 28th, 2007, 18:31

If you intend doing a thorough job I'd recommend ATE discs, Volvo pads (less noise and dust and good life). With flexis have used secondary market without problems but have you considered braided pipes. They are available for reasonable money. Hold down kit can be from any source - they are frequently replaced (if you are me) anyway.

Mike

minesa240x3 · Jan 30th, 2007, 00:58

Cheers mike love the sound of braided hoses,you cant beat knowledge gained through experience and i value yours when it comes to volvos.glad you said volvo pads,was wondering about which pads as opinion varies so much on the forums,guess the sort of mileage you do must eventually put you in a position to know,i only do about four thousand a year so the discs tend to rust more than wear,and the handbrake rear drums are a pain as they tend to stick on if not cleared on a regular basis, it can be just as much a battle keeping mine right as a well used motor.PS love the trailer,hope you havent got copyright as who knows i might just give it a go.

Mike_Brace · Jan 30th, 2007, 22:19

If you don't do many miles you might be able to improve the handbrake situation a little by occasionally using the handbrake to gently stop the car as this will keep the drum de-rusted. Also I never leave the handbrake on if a car is parked for a period. Leavce it in gear or in park. If on a slight hill on the road leave front wheels turned in touching the kerb.

If you want to build a trailer I just happen to have a good 245GLt estate shell from a car I bought as a donor. It has usual rust on front of sills which wouldn't be needed on the trailer. Usual start of rot in rear closure (not bad) some bubbling round rear arch. Needs tailgate. All interior, engine, suspension etc is already gone or earmarked.

Mike

minesa240x3 · Feb 1st, 2007, 00:51

Hi mike thanks for the very generous offer of the shell,only problem is that i already have THREE 240 estates parked on my boss's land and he keeps saying silly things like "when are you going to get rid of some of your cars" as if i would(I just keep me head down and hope he forgets) one is my first volvo a "B"reg 240DL full of rot and robbed of all spares.the second "E"reg 240 has just been retired as the front window surround had rotted beyond practical repair,this was its only fault.the third"G"reg 240GLT was bought for £25.00 just for the alloys and may well end up back on the road,its in quite good condition apart from the rear panel behind the rear bumper which i see has been posted on recently.Yes i am volvo mad and cant bear to part with them,if it wasnt for my boss nagging i would have loads more!!!!.oh and my car with the dodgy brakes is a "J"reg 240 SE estate,auto 2.oL.
Thanks for all your help i hope to meet up with you one day.

Mike_Brace · Feb 1st, 2007, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by minesa240x3

Hi mike thanks for the very generous offer of the shell,only problem is that i already have THREE 240 estates parked on my boss's land and he keeps saying silly things like "when are you going to get rid of some of your cars" as if i would(I just keep me head down and hope he forgets) one is my first volvo a "B"reg 240DL full of rot and robbed of all spares.the second "E"reg 240 has just been retired as the front window surround had rotted beyond practical repair,this was its only fault.the third"G"reg 240GLT was bought for £25.00 just for the alloys and may well end up back on the road,its in quite good condition apart from the rear panel behind the rear bumper which i see has been posted on recently.Yes i am volvo mad and cant bear to part with them,if it wasnt for my boss nagging i would have loads more!!!!.oh and my car with the dodgy brakes is a "J"reg 240 SE estate,auto 2.oL.
Thanks for all your help i hope to meet up with you one day.

When you've been plating with them for twenty years it does become easier to partt withthe basket cases - I'm sure it has to be into the hundreds that have passed through my hands. I think I currently have about half a dozen or so stashed here and there apart from the 140s and Amazons - then there's the boys collection as well probably over 60 vehicles off the road - apart from the ones parked outside the house in use.

Mike

nick_ovlov · Feb 12th, 2007, 15:20

i hope my car does not have abs, it's a h reg 1990 glt but as people have stated previously, there is no warning light for it. whilst my car has electric windows all around and lots of other electrics, not having abs is something less to go wrong.

Pretty240 · Mar 7th, 2007, 23:05

So is it possible to retro fit ABS. In the only two times I've had to jam on the anchors (1 dog 1 cat) I've locked the front wheels.

CTCNetwork · Mar 7th, 2007, 23:09

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pretty240

So is it possible to retro fit ABS. In the only two times I've had to jam on the anchors (1 dog 1 cat) I've locked the front wheels.

Learn cadence braking perhaps?? Could save your skin..

Linky....
Comes in handy when your ABS has failed...

Des. . .

Jan 27th, 2007, 23:21	#11
Mike_Brace Former contributor Last Online: Jul 2nd, 2022 07:54 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rhosgoch, Anglesey	The first thing I would ask is when was the brake fluid last changed? It absorbs moisture over time reducing its ability to withstand heat. Brake a lot and the water boils and when you push the pedal down - nothing! The brakes should not fade. If the pedal moves slightly up and down under braking the discs are warped. If you replace suggest you get ATE discs - they are a reasonable price at Euro Car Parts. Beware of cheap and unknown makes. I was reading a trade article about discs and a large sample of discs were tested and a large percentage were of poor or dangerous quality. Stick to ones from a company that specialises in brake parts. A lot of companies buy in from low-cost countires where quality control is poor. The extra few pounds for Ate discs is money well spent. When fitting discs and pads replace hold down kit as well and make sure the pads can move freely in the caliper. This is an ideal time to change the fluid as well. The MOT only requires a certain efficiency to be reache which is very low compared to what a 240 can achieve. The only other inspection is visual for any defects. It doesn't show that the brakes are working as well as they can and should be. Mike Mike __________________ A Volvo is for life not just for Christmas!

Jan 28th, 2007, 02:09	#12
minesa240x3 loyalty Last Online: Jul 28th, 2022 19:16 Join Date: May 2006 Location: faraway View Photos By: minesa240x3	Hi mike as usual you give brilliant advice and in an easily understandable way. quite agree with what you say and of course i will change brake fluid as i intend to replace flexible pipes all round as well as other perishable parts,the way i look at it is that if these original parts have lasted this long then by using original parts again should see the car last another thirteen years,i never cut corners when it comes to safety so the whole braking system will be as new.thank you very much for your reply,amazing how many people dont realise that brake fluid deteriates with use(age) just a little side story:my mate used to work for j.d barclay in oxford on RollsRoyce,one customer came in with smoke pouring off all four wheels,he had completely melted the brakes and anything near them!!when asked what had happened his reply was that:just after leaving london the brake pedal went almost to the floor so when it felt hard again he thought he had better KEEP HIS FOOT slightly on the pedal just to be safe,almost blew the tyres out.all in all a very expensive repair bill. keep up the good work. very slight up and down of pedal when brakes cold(warped discs)no fade when hot. Last edited by minesa240x3; Jan 28th, 2007 at 02:15.

Jan 28th, 2007, 18:31	#13
Mike_Brace Former contributor Last Online: Jul 2nd, 2022 07:54 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rhosgoch, Anglesey	If you intend doing a thorough job I'd recommend ATE discs, Volvo pads (less noise and dust and good life). With flexis have used secondary market without problems but have you considered braided pipes. They are available for reasonable money. Hold down kit can be from any source - they are frequently replaced (if you are me) anyway. Mike __________________ A Volvo is for life not just for Christmas!

Jan 30th, 2007, 22:19	#15
Mike_Brace Former contributor Last Online: Jul 2nd, 2022 07:54 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rhosgoch, Anglesey	If you don't do many miles you might be able to improve the handbrake situation a little by occasionally using the handbrake to gently stop the car as this will keep the drum de-rusted. Also I never leave the handbrake on if a car is parked for a period. Leavce it in gear or in park. If on a slight hill on the road leave front wheels turned in touching the kerb. If you want to build a trailer I just happen to have a good 245GLt estate shell from a car I bought as a donor. It has usual rust on front of sills which wouldn't be needed on the trailer. Usual start of rot in rear closure (not bad) some bubbling round rear arch. Needs tailgate. All interior, engine, suspension etc is already gone or earmarked. Mike __________________ A Volvo is for life not just for Christmas!

Feb 12th, 2007, 15:20	#18
nick_ovlov VOC20556 Last Online: May 7th, 2019 16:40 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Elgin View Photos By: nick_ovlov	90' glt i hope my car does not have abs, it's a h reg 1990 glt but as people have stated previously, there is no warning light for it. whilst my car has electric windows all around and lots of other electrics, not having abs is something less to go wrong.

Jan 30th, 2007, 00:58	#14
minesa240x3 loyalty Last Online: Jul 28th, 2022 19:16 Join Date: May 2006 Location: faraway View Photos By: minesa240x3	Cheers mike love the sound of braided hoses,you cant beat knowledge gained through experience and i value yours when it comes to volvos.glad you said volvo pads,was wondering about which pads as opinion varies so much on the forums,guess the sort of mileage you do must eventually put you in a position to know,i only do about four thousand a year so the discs tend to rust more than wear,and the handbrake rear drums are a pain as they tend to stick on if not cleared on a regular basis, it can be just as much a battle keeping mine right as a well used motor.PS love the trailer,hope you havent got copyright as who knows i might just give it a go.

Feb 1st, 2007, 00:51	#16
minesa240x3 loyalty Last Online: Jul 28th, 2022 19:16 Join Date: May 2006 Location: faraway View Photos By: minesa240x3	Hi mike thanks for the very generous offer of the shell,only problem is that i already have THREE 240 estates parked on my boss's land and he keeps saying silly things like "when are you going to get rid of some of your cars" as if i would(I just keep me head down and hope he forgets) one is my first volvo a "B"reg 240DL full of rot and robbed of all spares.the second "E"reg 240 has just been retired as the front window surround had rotted beyond practical repair,this was its only fault.the third"G"reg 240GLT was bought for £25.00 just for the alloys and may well end up back on the road,its in quite good condition apart from the rear panel behind the rear bumper which i see has been posted on recently.Yes i am volvo mad and cant bear to part with them,if it wasnt for my boss nagging i would have loads more!!!!.oh and my car with the dodgy brakes is a "J"reg 240 SE estate,auto 2.oL. Thanks for all your help i hope to meet up with you one day.

Mar 7th, 2007, 23:05	#19
Pretty240 Member Last Online: May 13th, 2015 23:45 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: East Cowes	So is it possible to retro fit ABS. In the only two times I've had to jam on the anchors (1 dog 1 cat) I've locked the front wheels.

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