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2008 S40 AWD Front Brakes not doing their share

Old Jan 27, 2022 | 11:46 AM
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jernihart's Avatar
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Default 2008 S40 AWD Front Brakes not doing their share

Just wondering if anyone has had an issue where the front brakes don't do their fair share of work.
The front brakes do engage, but not at a level they should... I think fronts should normally do about 70% of the work...

The rear pads have almost completely worn, the front pads are still in great shape. I can tell they are engaging since the rotors have no buildup, they are shiny clean due to the pads rubbing some amount during stopping.
I can feel the difference in stopping hard on this car compared to others where the car's nose will dive when hitting the brakes. This vehicle doesn't dive and just and feels like the braking is coming from back mostly.

I have bled both front calipers by taking a vacuum at the caliper and ensuring plenty of fluid in the reservoir so no air would get introduced.
No ABS lights or any other indications.

Does the brake system have different "zones" where the front and rear are separated? Maybe one "zone" is getting boosted or something along those lines?
 
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Old Jan 28, 2022 | 09:13 AM
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I have never had this on our Volvo , but my Alfa Giulietta the rears wear quicker than the fronts , quite unusual , but has hill hold and is manual so perhaps everytime one pulls off the rear get a bit of wear
But that is not your case , try stomping on the brakes when safe to do so from like 100km/hr or 60miles /hr , to engage the ABS you need to press hard if it does not engage let us know
Also to bleed abs brakes is a lot harder , should be done with a compressor and not just pumping the brake pedal
 

Last edited by richardkonrad; Jan 28, 2022 at 09:27 AM.
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Old Jan 28, 2022 | 12:06 PM
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brake "zones'" are diagonal - ie left front and right rear are on the same circuit. There is a proportioning valve that balances pressure front to rear that could be at issue.
 
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