Brake repairs - critical? Of course! Your brakes keep your family
safe. Brake repairs and parts for Volvos - trust Personalized Autohaus and Eric Benner our Certified Volvo Master technician to do quality repair on your Volvo with original OEM parts.
These tips will help you examine your Volvo brakes but if unsure just bring in your vehicle to our shop to be checked out:
Use Your Eyes & Ears to Inspect Your Volvo's Brakes
Visually inspect your brakes' condition at least every six months. Here are some things to look for:
Volvo Brake Rotors (discs) should
be inspected all the way around the surface and on both sides for any
concentric scoring (grooves) or obvious defects. If defects are found,
replace your rotors immediately. Any rotor discoloration may be a sign
of overheating and an inspection by our Certified Volvo Technician is
needed.
Volvo Brake Pads will
normally match rotor scoring but should also be inspected for uneven
wear, breakage or cracking on the friction surface. Again, if defects
are found, pads need to be replaced immediately. Many cars also have brake pad
sensors to warn of pad wear. If your Volvo uses sensors, replace these
at the same time as your pads.
Volvo Brake Drums (if equipped) should
also be inspected on a regular basis. Check for the same types of flaws
as noted above. The drums should not have excessive grooves or have a
deep "trough" dug into them where the shoes ride.
Volvo Brake Shoes (if equipped) should be worn evenly and have no rivets protruding to the friction surface.
Volvo Additional Troubleshooting: When inspecting brakes, check calipers, wheel cylinders, hoses and fittings for any hydraulic fluid leakage.
Inspect the master cylinder, reservoir and proportioning valve assemblies as well. Replace or rebuild as required.
A "spongy" brake pedal or one that's gotten lower underfoot also
needs looking into. It could be caused by sticking calipers, worn pads,
low fluid or hydraulic system problems.
If you can't "pump them up", then you definitely have hydraulic
problems that need work. If you always have to pump them up, at the very
least your hydraulic fluid needs replacement.
To check brakes by sound, know how your brakes should sound and listen for out-of-the-ordinary noises.
Most cars have a slight brushing sound from the pads lightly
touching the rotors. This is perfectly normal. Sounds to beware of
include:
Squeaking may be caused by dust or dirt on the brakes, loose pads vibrating when applied or worn pads.
Rhythmic noise might
mean you have a warped rotor. Instead of a solid squeaking noise, it
pulsates. In extreme cases, the brake pedal will also pulsate underfoot.
Constant brake noise is never a good sound and any grinding noise spells real trouble!
Most importantly: As soon as any problem is noticed, get it repaired immediately. Delaying brake repairs is extremely dangerous.
Overstressed rotors and drums can break. Brakes may be too worn or damaged to stop your Volvo in an emergency.
Even if you manage to avoid physical harm, the longer you delay
fixing brake problems, the more you increase the cost of doing so.
Badly worn, warped or overheated rotors can damage wheel bearings
and the complete wheel hub assembly. These parts often cost as much or
more than the brakes themselves.
Talk to our Certified Volvo Master Technician Eric Benner to evaluate your
vehicle of its needs. Stop by our shop on 8645 Commerce Avenue, San Diego, CA 92121 and/or call us
to make a service appointment today
and get
15% Labor Discount (858) 586-7771.
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