Brake Replacement 855-T5 (Which Rotors? Anyone Used Powerstop?)

[850_olaf_nz]

Hi Guys

I've spent a lot of time on the search bicycle and read a bunch of threads. It's time to sort my brakes.

I've already ordered from FCP:

- braided lines (mine are pretty old, figured I'd replace them while doing the job)

- front caliper slider pins & boots

- rear hardware (clips and pins)

- parking brake shoes and hardware

- front and rear pads - PBR Deluxe. (I have Akebonos on my e46 with power slot rotors, the Akebonos lack the bite of the OEM pads).

- rear stainless shims

I've sourced fluid locally - a plain-pack version of motul RBF600.

So I'm down to rotors. Locally there's not much available, so I air freight them in.

From what I'm reading, it seems I can't fit a 302mm upgrade under my stock 16" wheels. While we're at it, what are these wheels called? So I'm probably looking at staying with 280mm.

Question:

Has anyone here used POWERSTOP drilled + slotted rotors on their Volvo? They appear great value, at around USD90 per pair - front and rear.

I liked the Powerslot rotors on my Bimmer, but want to keep the price a bit lower here.

Alternately the Centric premiums seem good value - is the quality a bit higher than (say) Meyle or Bosch, or Brembos?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Here's an image showing the wheels...

[850_olaf_nz]

I've narrowed it down.

Power Stop Drilled & Slotted: http://www.powerstop.com/product/power-stop-evolution-drilled-slotted-rotors/#y=1998&mk=VOLVO&mo=V70&ss=2WD%3B%20280mm%20Front%20Discs

They come in pairs and work out around $45 each

or Centric Premium High Carbon rotor (not slotted, not drilled) http://www.centricparts.com/products/centric-premium-brake-rotors and work out around $45 each.

I figure the Centrics give me the same quality as the Powerslots on my BMW, just without the slots - and less spendy.

What would you do?

The reason I'm asking is I've found no Volvo-specific reviews/feedback/impressions of Power Stop rotors for the 850.

cheers

[850_olaf_nz]

ahhh well, after consideration and the advice I've received here, I had no reason to doubt the awesomeness of the Powerstop rotors so I ordered some. It'll be a couple of weeks before they arrive, and a week or two more before I get them on the 850. I promise to update when they're here and on the car.

[Sandawgk5]

_{Those are the ones I plan to put on my car when it is time for brakes. Rockauto has a fairly good deal on rotors and pads for all 4 corners.}

_Ira

[bob850]

Columba wheels

[survolvo]

And you can fit the 302's witht hem after a bit of grinding.

[850_olaf_nz]

thanks, all.

survolvo - is it a bit of grinding of the caliper?

Bob850 - thanks, blessed with Columbas huh?

I'll do a little reading - not too late to send em back in favour of 302s...

Can anyone characterise the change by going to 302mm rotors? I understand the theory - just wondering what it feels like practically.

sandawgk5 - yes perhaps I missed a great rotor and pad deal. I was keen to get something that worked well at the price, but missed considering packages.

[survolvo]

Yes, on the rear of the calipers there are the "haunches". You have to grind those down and it will fit.

These are not my pictures.

You can see where they ground down the haunches. I went a little further and ground that whole area flat in order to be able to clear the wheel balances inside the wheel.

Its hard to see in my pics since I took them after I painted the caliper, but you can tell where I ground them.

And this is looking through the wheel. You can see the clearance.

Even though the pads do not cover the whole rotor, you are getting a larger area of sweep. Also there is more material to disperse the heat. I have put 302s on both 850s and have felt a noticeable improvement in regards to brake fade. Where I live there are a lot of sharp turns. I can scrub off 20-30mph pretty quick without the brakes fading as much as with the 280's.

[850_olaf_nz]

Hi guys, time for an update from me. Three-odd weeks ago, my buddy and I did the changeover. Notes:

- those rear flexible lines are a sh*t to replace. This is where a stubby ring and open-end spanner set reveals itself as lacking from my toolkit! In the end I left the final one (above the axle by the fuel tank) to my friendly mechanic to replace for me.

- the PowerStop rotors appear well made, and are nicely machined. The coating is keeping the hubs bright and shiney after weeks of driving in spring rains.

- the PBR Deluxe pads are also nicely made, with thin rubber backing plates, and chamfering of the edges.

- the slider pin boots (front calipers) are a real hassle to install. Second time round we removed the caliper and did it on the bench. Much easier, and we were changing out the flexible lines anyway.

- the Scan Tech parking brake material and hardware seemed well made.

it was interesting to remove the rear pads. They'd clearly gotten hot, the backing material had dropped down towards the hub. This changed the angle of the pad to the rotor, while the backing material continued to wear on the hub. Juddering from the rear under brakes, and noise, were the indicators. I gave the ABS hall-effect sensors a thorough clean from the debris created. Loads of Brake Clean.

We used ATE Silicone high temp brake grease. Usual copper anti-seize on hubs.

Driving impressions:

- pedal is much firmer. I think the braided lines make a significant improvement to pedal feel.

- in the wet, the brakes clear the water layer near instantaneously

- the PBR deluxe pads are excellent for street use. Very good modulation, good feel, good initial bite (significantly better than the akebono euros on my BMW), and very little dust (bonus - cleaner wheels). My mechanic has indicated that were the car used for track day outings, I'd need a higher-temperature rated pad as these would fade when they got (track-generated) hot.

- my braking distances are significantly improved.

- plenty more confidence in the brake feel.

I may keep an eye out for a set of the 16's that look like Columbas, that would support the 302mm setup (rotors, caliper carrier brackets, longer flexible lines) for next time. I'm yet to do the Racing Brake Fluid, my mechanic has cautioned me it is relatively short life due to its propensity to absorb moisture more than standard DOT4.

Conclusion:

- the PowerStop EBR459XPR and EBR458XPR offer good value for money and improved braking performance over standard (non Volvo rotors).

- the braided lines are worthy of consideration. I sourced the Technica lines from FCP Euro, they fit right.

- PBR Deluxe get my vote for general street use, a fine all-rounder from cool to (street) hot.

Oh, and an observation on drilled-and-slotted: I get this very faint "ftrtrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrttttt" sound from the brakes (window lowered) when applying the brakes. My wife hasn't noticed, so no concern.

Hope that helps anyone consideing the PowerStop drilled and slotted rotors.

'Olaf'.

[Serge]

Replace the front caliper retention springs. You'd be surprise how much of a difference it makes (brake noise, clunking, etc). They are $12/each from the dealer.

[850_olaf_nz]

thanks for the tip, Serge - I think that's the one item I didn't replace! I'll put some in the next parts order.

regards

[rmorse]

Replace the front caliper retention springs. You'd be surprise how much of a difference it makes (brake noise, clunking, etc). They are $12/each from the dealer.

Expand on the clunking please... I have some weird clunk that I feel through the pedal when I apply brakes at low speed, like idle speed in traffic.

[Q-Ship]

great write up, thanks!