Brake advice please

[Zebster]

I fitted Pagid front discs and pads myself recently. Now bedded in and I'm very pleased with the outcome.

[37 RUBY]

Hello Bracken

As an ex-motor factor manager, my advice is:

If you are concerned about the quality of your purchase then buy a brand who actually design and manufacturer braking systems and who supply to vehicle manufacturers not from a pattern part manufacturer.

The reason the Volvo parts work so well is that they are sourced from the original manufacturer who will have gone through R&D tests for the components to meet the required performance. Volvo are unlikely to make their own brakes.

So if Brembo is your component of choice then they do indeed manufacturer braking systems for vehicle manufacturers.

Other manufactures are Bendix, ATE, Lucas Girling, Akebono. There is also EBC who manufacturer for the motorcycle and cycle industry.

I've never really looked at which manufacturer has made the brakes on my XC70 but the shape of the pad suggests ATE.

That said I have fitted Pagid front and rear discs with Volvo pads. No issues and I tow a caravan regularly.
For note, when fitting discs I always use a dial gauge to check disc run out is not outside of spec. Ask your garage if they do the same.

Also consider the bedding in period. 300miles of careful considered braking to allow the discs to temper. The heating up of braking and subsequent cooling when not braking is what performs this task.

Many a warped/glazed disc will be a new component not given enough time to bed in, giving vibration and poor stopping performance, then the vendor tells his friends not to buy that brand cos they are rubbish...

HTH.

Cheers

Dave

[bracken78]

Originally Posted by 37 RUBY

Hello Bracken

As an ex-motor factor manager, my advice is:

If you are concerned about the quality of your purchase then buy a brand who actually design and manufacturer braking systems and who supply to vehicle manufacturers not from a pattern part manufacturer.

The reason the Volvo parts work so well is that they are sourced from the original manufacturer who will have gone through R&D tests for the components to meet the required performance. Volvo are unlikely to make their own brakes.

So if Brembo is your component of choice then they do indeed manufacturer braking systems for vehicle manufacturers.

Other manufactures are Bendix, ATE, Lucas Girling, Akebono. There is also EBC who manufacturer for the motorcycle and cycle industry.

I've never really looked at which manufacturer has made the brakes on my XC70 but the shape of the pad suggests ATE.

That said I have fitted Pagid front and rear discs with Volvo pads. No issues and I tow a caravan regularly.
For note, when fitting discs I always use a dial gauge to check disc run out is not outside of spec. Ask your garage if they do the same.

Also consider the bedding in period. 300miles of careful considered braking to allow the discs to temper. The heating up of braking and subsequent cooling when not braking is what performs this task.

Many a warped/glazed disc will be a new component not given enough time to bed in, giving vibration and poor stopping performance, then the vendor tells his friends not to buy that brand cos they are rubbish...

HTH.

Cheers

Dave

Thank you for the interesting reply Dave. I will not be having the brakes changed for a couple of weeks but when I do this thread will be updated.

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by Tony500

Just put brembo discs with Bendix pads on our XC90. Some difference compared to what was on it before.

Seen many people rave about brembo discs with yellow stuff pads.

In what respect, or are you saying that what was already on prior to fitting the brembos was Non Volvo?

If on the other hand you have replaced Volvo Discs and Pads with Brembo then I am certainly curious as to which area you perceive them to be superior?

[mr tickle]

I replaced all 4 corners with Brembo discs and pads about a year ago. Paid £200 all in from the fleabay.

I too am very pleased with the performance of them, and I do have a heavy brake foot.

The centre of the discs is also coated, and even now the centres still look like new and have no rust on them like cheaper brands.

I can't say whether they are better, worse or the same as Volvo parts, but i would definately buy the same next time.

[barrybritcher]

Pagid and Brembo I think now do the anti rust coating as standard , I fitted some to my mates lexus and they still rust free two years later. Cant say the same for the lexus lol (is300)

[Zebster]

Originally Posted by barrybritcher

Pagid and Brembo I think now do the anti rust coating as standard , I fitted some to my mates lexus and they still rust free two years later. Cant say the same for the lexus lol (is300)

Pagid discs are coated... As they bed in the pads wear through the coating to only remove the bare minimum of coating to maximise the rust protection.

[AndyV7o]

Originally Posted by 37 RUBY

Hello Bracken

As an ex-motor factor manager, my advice is:

If you are concerned about the quality of your purchase then buy a brand who actually design and manufacturer braking systems and who supply to vehicle manufacturers not from a pattern part manufacturer.

The reason the Volvo parts work so well is that they are sourced from the original manufacturer who will have gone through R&D tests for the components to meet the required performance. Volvo are unlikely to make their own brakes.

So if Brembo is your component of choice then they do indeed manufacturer braking systems for vehicle manufacturers.

Other manufactures are Bendix, ATE, Lucas Girling, Akebono. There is also EBC who manufacturer for the motorcycle and cycle industry.

I've never really looked at which manufacturer has made the brakes on my XC70 but the shape of the pad suggests ATE.

That said I have fitted Pagid front and rear discs with Volvo pads. No issues and I tow a caravan regularly.
For note, when fitting discs I always use a dial gauge to check disc run out is not outside of spec. Ask your garage if they do the same.

Also consider the bedding in period. 300miles of careful considered braking to allow the discs to temper. The heating up of braking and subsequent cooling when not braking is what performs this task.

Many a warped/glazed disc will be a new component not given enough time to bed in, giving vibration and poor stopping performance, then the vendor tells his friends not to buy that brand cos they are rubbish...

HTH.

Cheers

Dave

Dont forget TRW, Ferodo, Textar too!

But by and large very sound advice.

[Kev0607]

I've changed brakes on many vehicles, but my S80 is the first vehicle I've owned with an electronic handbrake. I presume this will have to be disconnected to change the rear discs/pads. If so, do you need diagnostics to do the job safely?

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by ferg55

I had a similar quandary, and went with brembo discs and volvo pads, rationale was that disc material being cast iron wouldn't vary between OEM and a quality aftermarket brand, although pad compound could.

It seems logical but it is not the case. The disc material is just as pivotal as the friction material on the pads. If you speak to anyone who has worked in smelting, especially steel, there are huge variations in properties and qualities depending on whether it is virgin, pure iron or melted down washing machines and Mondeo's.

My take home point it it is easy to tell when changing end of life brakes if the parts you are removing are genuine Volvo or not - genuine Volvo parts always have a smooth mirror like finish to the discs. Mintex, National, etc. and other pattern parts usually have a rough finish like the pads were made of concrete with old nails in them.

There's just as much benefit and reason to fit quality discs as there are pads, their not simply a lump of iron.