CONTINUAL MOT failure - front brake imbalance

[Tee5alive]

Took the T5 cab in for its MOT failed last year on tie rod so replaced those and replaced front brake pads NO IDEA why as there was loads of meat left on the old ones but had some Pagid pads sitting unopened from a year ago so put them on. They were a tight fit getting them over the disc lip.

Off to MOT - only fault FAILED front brake imbalance but from 70 - standstill - they bite like a bugger so whats going on?

Took car home on jacks stripped the calipers wire brushed all the crud out and refitted all looked good - another test run all good

Back to MOT bandits - on the dyno FAILED AGAIN WTF?????

What can be causing this the brakes on this car have never been a problem EXCEPT for those Pagid pads ??? The MOT geezer said they would fit Pagid and they are ok - I think not!!

pissed off! so I only have the sick T5 P2 with the engine light on to drive around in - lost my lovely C70

PLUS - SKINT from all the costs to repair the P2 !

[foammanmark]

I had very similar with my R and it was the brake hose that was the cause with mine.

[foammanmark]

I had the caliper replaced at the advice of the MOT place, failed again and it turned to be the perished hose. Had that replaced and the copper pipe and sailed through.

[Tee5alive]

many thanks Mark!

[stribo]

I had the same thing, one of the calipers was sticky, causing the brake to bind, changed the caliper, all sorted.

[foammanmark]

I had the same thing, one of the calipers was sticky, causing the brake to bind, changed the caliper, all sorted.

Wish mine had just been the caliper.............

[Biff]

Oh I could write a book on sticking calipers.
Get some reconditioned ones or if you're handy rebuild your own with a parts for Volvo kit.

[foammanmark]

Oh I could write a book on sticking calipers.
Get some reconditioned ones or if you're handy rebuild your own with a parts for Volvo kit.

I could contribute to Biff's book, with both my current C70 and former p1 V70 T5 having this issue. Both offside front as was the R with the hose.

[Tee5alive]

stripped them down and the pistons had ridges of crud so polished them out and replaced - all seem smooth again but cant tell until dyno time on Monday

[Harvey]

Hope you get a pass now.

[stribo]

I could contribute to Biff's book, with both my current C70 and former p1 V70 T5 having this issue. Both offside front as was the R with the hose.

Mine was o/s too, I upgraded the front brake hoses at the same time.


And the pads.

[foammanmark]

Weird thing with mine as well was when I did that Saab v Volvo RR day a couple on months ago, my front offside had some sort of binding issue, but yet she seems absolutely fine to me under normal driving conditions. The C70 however, smoke poured out from under the wheel arch and I had an actual fire one day.

[Tee5alive]

I really dont like these Pagid pads though Im going to go for Carbotech XP8's (recommended on other Volvo forums) the Pagid just seen too tight in the caliper.

Just read on another forum that Volvo designed a special compound for the C70 T5 - anyone confirm this? Apparently as its lighter and therefore faster than the estate they gave it better brakes?

[foammanmark]

Interesting on the C70 having better brakes and the first that I've heard of that.

[foammanmark]

I can confirm on the faster and more economical though as I own one................

[Tee5alive]

yep ditto the C70 is vastly faster then my T5 bus. I used to own a 70 series T5 another ex cop and thought that was fast until I bought the C70 what a SHOCK - that is like an estate with reheat!

[foammanmark]

They are an awesome car and can be picked for next to nothing. We have threatened to have a hairdressers' meet on here several times, but it's never happened.

[Redbrick]

I really dont like these Pagid pads though Im going to go for Carbotech XP8's (recommended on other Volvo forums) the Pagid just seen too tight in the caliper.

Just read on another forum that Volvo designed a special compound for the C70 T5 - anyone confirm this? Apparently as its lighter and therefore faster than the estate they gave it better brakes?

The US Carbotechs aren't riveted and you get more pad life because of it. Trouble is after tax, duty and postage they are a lot of money. On the 855 I run and XP12 front and XP 10 rear combination.

[Tee5alive]

HAHAHHAHAA brilliant Mark! I was looking at either an M3 vert - a SAAB 93 aero or the Volvo...............NO CONTEST! A Saab was playing with me on the M6 toll a while back - I humoured him and let him pull well away from me, smiling smugly, then PASSED him from a mile back. Superb!!

[Tee5alive]

The US Carbotechs aren't riveted and you get more pad life because of it. Trouble is after tax, duty and postage they are a lot of money. On the 855 I run and XP12 front and XP 10 rear combination.

aaaaah thats interesting cheers Redbrick. I think a trip over the pond is needed to raid Pep Boys!

Im starting to have suspicions about the MOT place I use regularly. Listening to the owner answering the phone ALL the MOT failures are for the same things ?? Marker bulbs blown, BRAKES ETC and things that an amateur DIYer cant check at home - crafty. I ALWAYS re check the car for lamp failures and EVERY YEAR he says they had to 'replace blown lamps'??? Sneaky ways to bump the bill so I think time for a new MOT guy!

I know my car well and now I would say its braking perfectly - so if he says its still binding next week - well.......driving in a fast straight line then HARD braking it was pulling slightly to the side now its now its all balanced again and stops on a penny so we shall see. I may have an independant test done BEFORE their dyno check.