Front callipers seized

spannermedonky · Mar 7th, 2021, 09:04

Hey all, its been a while since I've been on here however it looks like the both front callipers on the speedy swede have started to seize.
Took the old girl out for a run yesterday and the gearbox seemed to be shifting down more than normal, then got home and smelt something burning and found both front wheels red hot (and one rear). I'm guessing this is quite common at the moment as a lot of cars have been sitting for the past few months over winter.
Any how, can anyone recommend some decent replacement / refurbished callipers? I think they are ATE with 305mm discs, GSF seem to carry the full set for about £150 each plus a £30 core charge so I'm guessing these are new, several sellers on Fleabay offer refurbished units for around £30-£40 but the fitting seems a bit hit and miss although the ratings look good, I've seen people selling Ridex units but these seem awfully cheap. I always try to use genuine Volvo parts where possible for reliability where practical.
All 4 discs are heavily pitted and scored so I'm looking for an upgrade, I've used Torrax grooved discs but they only seem to offer fronts, EBC do a complete kit of dimpled and grooved discs and yellow stuff pads for about £500. Ok they are more for show than function as I don't do many miles these days and she doesn't get driven particularly hard however it is VERY hilly here in Sheffield and she's a heavy car.
I might buy the discs and braided hoses and let the local garage use callipers from there usual source if its easier as I'll let them fit them because it always rains when I'm laying under something in the driveway.
Any advice greatly appreciated.

ele288 · Mar 7th, 2021, 09:34

You can rebuild calipers yourself, the kit with new piston and seals is around 20

Millie20 · Mar 7th, 2021, 09:56

A popular upgrade is to get some calipers from a xc90. I got a set from a user in the xc90 section who was breaking his car. £100 for all four calipers including pads with plenty of meat and discs for upfront. They could very easily have been bolted straight on, but I'm in the process of refurbishing them. Fom what I've read they offer improved braking over the originals, and they fill out 17" wheels very nicely.

John97Tdi · Mar 7th, 2021, 10:08

When I've needed brake parts for my XC I've used Brakes International ( one of the biggest distributors of brake parts and have a store local to me)for calipers,discs and pads and never had an issue with the quality of parts.
I strongly suggest that unless you have access to another vehicle and/or lots of time you let your garage do the brakes since it only takes one seized/rounded nut on where the hoses join the pipework to really ruin your day.

John

stuart bowes · Mar 7th, 2021, 10:13

I've got one round nipple, I'm gonna have to twist it with the stilsons

John97Tdi · Mar 7th, 2021, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuart bowes

I've got one round nipple, I'm gonna have to twist it with the stilsons

Are you bragging or complaining? - Either way it sounds like a comment for an entirely different sort of forum.

barrybritcher · Mar 7th, 2021, 14:46

ebay calipers are pretty good tbh!

or go the rebuild route if they arent too rusty - if the metal is flaking dont bother just buy new - surface rust no problem itll be fine to rebuild.

oragex · Mar 7th, 2021, 17:33

I wounder why a good working caliper would seize when the car is not used for a while. Was there any maintenance done before storing the car ? It can be as simple as the wrong grease used on the sliding pins. I would have a garage look at it and see what has actually seized.

barrybritcher · Mar 7th, 2021, 17:51

Usually collapsed hoses on these Volvo's

LPTJoe · Mar 7th, 2021, 18:54

I've replaced no less than 3 calipers in the last 16 months on 3 different corners!

I bought the car on 92k, and given it's now 20 years old, I think the lack of use is to blame, although anecdotally Volvo calipers are known to be prone to this. As mentioned the hoses can go, but in my experience (X3) it's been the caliper every single time.

For the first caliper I used a motor factor sourced rebuilt one, and then for the following two I used 'new' Ebay £30 specials. None of the calipers have caused any problems since fitting.

Here's a link to the last one I purchased...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-V70...53.m2749.l2649

Mar 7th, 2021, 09:04	#1
spannermedonky weekend spanner spinner Last Online: May 17th, 2024 07:38 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sheffield View Photos By: spannermedonky	Front callipers seized Hey all, its been a while since I've been on here however it looks like the both front callipers on the speedy swede have started to seize. Took the old girl out for a run yesterday and the gearbox seemed to be shifting down more than normal, then got home and smelt something burning and found both front wheels red hot (and one rear). I'm guessing this is quite common at the moment as a lot of cars have been sitting for the past few months over winter. Any how, can anyone recommend some decent replacement / refurbished callipers? I think they are ATE with 305mm discs, GSF seem to carry the full set for about £150 each plus a £30 core charge so I'm guessing these are new, several sellers on Fleabay offer refurbished units for around £30-£40 but the fitting seems a bit hit and miss although the ratings look good, I've seen people selling Ridex units but these seem awfully cheap. I always try to use genuine Volvo parts where possible for reliability where practical. All 4 discs are heavily pitted and scored so I'm looking for an upgrade, I've used Torrax grooved discs but they only seem to offer fronts, EBC do a complete kit of dimpled and grooved discs and yellow stuff pads for about £500. Ok they are more for show than function as I don't do many miles these days and she doesn't get driven particularly hard however it is VERY hilly here in Sheffield and she's a heavy car. I might buy the discs and braided hoses and let the local garage use callipers from there usual source if its easier as I'll let them fit them because it always rains when I'm laying under something in the driveway. Any advice greatly appreciated. __________________ 2004 Volvo XC70 2.5T, geartronic, 171000 miles, IPD stage 1 anti-roll bars, BRC LPG system, Stainless BRC exhaust, polybush suspension, solar charging, roof mounted spare, EBC yellow pads, EBC dimpled and grooved discs, stainless braided brake lines

Mar 7th, 2021, 10:13	#5
stuart bowes trying to be helpful Last Online: Today 09:42 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Dagenham	I've got one round nipple, I'm gonna have to twist it with the stilsons __________________ V70 '01 auto petrol 2.4 (140) 72k ------------------------- mini project - link

Mar 7th, 2021, 14:46	#7
barrybritcher Flaccid Member Last Online: Jun 2nd, 2024 00:14 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Norwich	ebay calipers are pretty good tbh! or go the rebuild route if they arent too rusty - if the metal is flaking dont bother just buy new - surface rust no problem itll be fine to rebuild. __________________ 2001 Volvo S60 T5 SE 2.3 Geartronic (Scrapped) 2007 Volvo S60 T5 SE 2.4 Geartronic (Sold) 2008 Volvo V70 D5 SE Sport Geartronic (Current)

Mar 7th, 2021, 17:33	#8
oragex Premier Member Last Online: Jul 26th, 2021 21:24 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Coldnada	I wounder why a good working caliper would seize when the car is not used for a while. Was there any maintenance done before storing the car ? It can be as simple as the wrong grease used on the sliding pins. I would have a garage look at it and see what has actually seized. __________________ Several Volvo Repair Videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ECTts0FSVSOT_c

Mar 7th, 2021, 17:51	#9
barrybritcher Flaccid Member Last Online: Jun 2nd, 2024 00:14 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Norwich	Usually collapsed hoses on these Volvo's __________________ 2001 Volvo S60 T5 SE 2.3 Geartronic (Scrapped) 2007 Volvo S60 T5 SE 2.4 Geartronic (Sold) 2008 Volvo V70 D5 SE Sport Geartronic (Current)

Mar 7th, 2021, 09:34	#2
ele288 Member Last Online: Yesterday 20:18 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Havant	You can rebuild calipers yourself, the kit with new piston and seals is around 20

Mar 7th, 2021, 09:56	#3
Millie20 Member Last Online: Nov 24th, 2023 08:21 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Oxfordshire	A popular upgrade is to get some calipers from a xc90. I got a set from a user in the xc90 section who was breaking his car. £100 for all four calipers including pads with plenty of meat and discs for upfront. They could very easily have been bolted straight on, but I'm in the process of refurbishing them. Fom what I've read they offer improved braking over the originals, and they fill out 17" wheels very nicely.

Mar 7th, 2021, 10:08	#4
John97Tdi Master Member Last Online: Yesterday 20:50 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Rochdale	When I've needed brake parts for my XC I've used Brakes International ( one of the biggest distributors of brake parts and have a store local to me)for calipers,discs and pads and never had an issue with the quality of parts. I strongly suggest that unless you have access to another vehicle and/or lots of time you let your garage do the brakes since it only takes one seized/rounded nut on where the hoses join the pipework to really ruin your day. John

Mar 7th, 2021, 18:54	#10
LPTJoe Senior Member Last Online: Mar 25th, 2022 06:54 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Southampton	I've replaced no less than 3 calipers in the last 16 months on 3 different corners! I bought the car on 92k, and given it's now 20 years old, I think the lack of use is to blame, although anecdotally Volvo calipers are known to be prone to this. As mentioned the hoses can go, but in my experience (X3) it's been the caliper every single time. For the first caliper I used a motor factor sourced rebuilt one, and then for the following two I used 'new' Ebay £30 specials. None of the calipers have caused any problems since fitting. Here's a link to the last one I purchased... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-V70...53.m2749.l2649

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