I am having some problems with the brakes on my 1992 240. This is an intermittent problem. When I brake and the car is about to come to a complete stop (approx 5 to 10 feet before stopping) the front brake(s) make a groaning noise and there is a feel like something “releases” ; there is sensation that the car pulls to the right just a little.. The rotors have been inspected and seem fine, the pads are 80%-front; 40% rear and the ABS sensor is clean. Normal braking is good and this only occurs when the car is almost stopped. It happens in both wet and dry conditions. Anyone have any thoughts or ideas on this problem?

Thanks,
SBrownBW

 

Could be bad rotors. I know they were inspected but I have seen this before. When they get a little hot they do this.
Also make sure the pads are wearing evenly and the calipers are woking normally.

 

Did you ever get a satisfying answer to this problem? I am experiencing the same on my 1992 240.

 

My 1992 240 wagon's brakes do the same thing from time to time. They hum extremely loudly. I Googled the issue and it appears that if you live in a dusty area, (which I do) dust can accumulate on the rotors and then melt/glaze to them from the friction. It generally goes away over time, but comes back occasionally for me. Try brake cleaner perhaps?

 

I also live in a dusty area - most of the roads are dirt roads and I have the same two problems, (groaning noise 5 to 10 feet before a stop and loud humming) both intermittent. Could they both be caused by the dusty conditions? I'll try the brake cleaner idea - thanks for the tip.

 

assuming there's nothing actually wrong, good quality pads and rotors in decent condition, I've 'fixed' front brake problems by doing a series of hard almost-stops from about 60MPH to about 5MPH, threshold braking just short of ABS or skid, then whizzing back up to speed and doing it again. 4 of these in a row (60-5-60-5-60-5-60-5) will get your brakes REALLY hot, then drive 15 mins with minimal braking to let them cool. for extra points after they've throughly cooled, do this all over again. I also do this as my breakin-sequence for brand new brake pads, this heat treats things

kinda important, DO NOT FULL STOP AND STAY ON THE BRAKE when they are super hot, if for some reason you do have to actually stop during this, don't full stop, creep, and don't press hard on the brake when you're (almost) stopped.

the goal here is to bake off any glazing thats been deposited on the rotors.

I find if I use real Volvo brand pads, and pretty much any decent rotors including most chinese, my brakes are pretty good and I don't have this kind of problem often. the only down side to the Volvo brand pads is, they are rather dusty, and your front rims will get fairly black in short order. if you care, wash the front rims really well, and wax them thoroughly when they are very clean. then the brake dust will just wash off easily as long as you don't let it go /too/ long. I use a hose brush to clean my wheels.

 

They don't call you a "Super Moderator" for nothing! One last question... How do you get a 1992 Volvo up to 60 mph?

 

geez, mine is happy to cruise at 90+ all day long.