Brake Caliper Brand
 

Hi all
I changed my front brake calipers a few years ago, and also changed the discs and pads. The Calipers were non branded, but the discs and pads were Pagid.

I had a good look around this last week and the pads and discs are still in really good shape. (I only put a few thousand miles a year on the V70). However looking at the calipers, the seals look very badly cracked. The pistons are still free, and it may still pass an MOT, but I would like to take the opportunity to put some new calipers on this summer.

This time, I want to put good quality ones on there, so they last a good while. I'm not that familiar with all of the brands, but some names stick out, when I look through the likes of AutoDoc - Brembo, ATE, Febi Bilston, Bosch, etc. Can anyone suggest a brand that they have used and the seals have lasted well.
Many thanks

Hi.
 

Why don`t you refurbish what you have ?
Seal kits are readily available.
Or , You could get hold of second-hand Volvo calipers and refurbish those ready to fit .

This is a good point. I did however try to this with the original calipers. I bought a Big Redd caliper repair kit, but could not get the seals to fit onto the caliper. See this thread I posted at the time. https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=288568

Having just read the original post however, I realise this was 2016, so the calipers I fitted have lasted longer than I thought.

Its highly unusual to have to refurbish a volvo caliper even going back 40 years and even on the cheapest 340. The 340 from 1988 in the family still has all it's original brakes and linings ( as well as everything else ) at 80,000 miles.

Interesting to read your old post .
I`m surprised that you had so much trouble with the tightness of the fit .
i`ve used Big-Red stuff myself and not had too much trouble .
The trick with the outer dust seal is to fit it dry . Clean the rim where it sits to bright metal and trial fit the dust gaiter with the piston out . It should just pop over the lip after working it on around the diameter . Sometimes they wont stay on and pop back off so what i do is...
Fit the hydraulic seal to the piston.
Fit the gaiter to the piston.
Lube the hydraulic seal and insert the piston into the bore.
Put four small drops of super-glue evenly around the lip.
Work the gaiter over the lip and hold until the glue cures.

I agree that parts are not the quality that they once were.
Maybe try a different supplier or , if you are really lucky, you may get hold of some Volvo calipers where the the original gaiters can be re-used .

I`ve found V40 rear calipers which were so rotten on the outside that they needed replacing . I`ve also found V70 front calipers where the piston was stuck due to corrosion and was badly pitted .

As I recall, the only reason I wanted to change the calipers, was the state of the outer seals. The caliper and piston were OK.

It's some time ago now, and my old memory isn't what it used to be, but as I recall, I spent quite a bit of time playing around with these to get the seals on. In the end I gave up and fitted new calipers. Its probably my skill set not being good enough. With the current ones I have fitted, as they are not Volvo original, I think I would prefer just to buy a quality set of aftermarket ones and fit those. Hopefully, they will outlast me!

I had exactly the same problem as @MWMan fitting the outer seal. The caliper manufacturer, ATE I think, have a special tool to press the outer seal into place for a large sum of money.

In the end I bought some rebuilt calipers and fitted them.

Chance would have it, I came across this on ebay the other day, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335300826861?_ul=GB

Hope it helps someone.

OK . I understand ...
If you want quality or near to OE then i would suggest ATE / TEVES or TRW .
Did you replace the front caliper hoses last time round ?
If not , then i strongly suggest you do as they have a habit of degrading on the inside .

This looks like the tool I could have used the Big Redd kit !!!!!!!

I was leaning towards ATE, so thanks for that. I hadn't thought about the caliper hoses, but after 20 years, I'm sure changing them would be a good idea. Thankyou.