Hey guys!

I had a 2001 S60 that was my partners and before the title even came, he got tboned in an intersection. I work for a dealer group and am probably buying a 2004 V70 that has fewer miles. Concerned about the brakes. I bought my 2001 CRV from work too and just built the brakes into the deal. What's happening with this one is that when I brake the pedal goes down pretty far, and then the grabbing seems to come from the back.
Question: Do these have 4 wheel disc or rear drums? At this cost I don't mind doing brakes, and maybe I'll get my brother in law to do it, but wondering if there's anything "known" that might make this a worse idea?

 

An '04 needing brakes is nothing out of the ordinary. Do yourself a favor and get Volvo brakes. Many buy high end parts but you have to know what you're doing. Cheap brakes on these cars is bad.
One "bad" thing that can surprise you is the master cylinder going out.

If your brake hoses are cracked, replace them.

 

My 69 140 had disk brakes all the way around

 

Based on my experience with 2 Volvo V70s, '03T & '09 plus several Mercedes I would strongly recommend Brembo rotors and Akebono Euro ceramic pads - long wear, excellent stopping and essentially no dust.

 

I must respectfully disagree. The OEM rotors end up cut to pieces and you can buy 10 of the aftermarket rotors for one OEM rotor.

I find better value in aftermarket parts.

 

Old asbestos pads / linings were soft and drums / rotors were hard in the old days.
That way the drums / rotors could be dressed; I said to a mechanic.

Today, they've gone to hard, ceramic-ish pads and the rotors are soft, right?

No, he said, they're BOTH soft now-a-days.

That's why you must buy good stuff whether it's Volvo or aftermarket. Otherwise you waste money and time.