Hello,
I'm replacing front and rear brake pads on my 2006 S40 T5 today. I have replaced pads before but never on a volvo. Anything unusual I need to look out for?

 

How did you make out?
I wasn't on yesterday. The only thing I would have mentioned is if pulling the rotors, be aware some are held on by tiny bolts at the hub. THAT cost me some time until I saw the darn things in the dust and dirt.

 

Not sure if you did this yet, but my 05' s40 had wind out calipers, or something like that...

Basically on older cars, you could just compress the caliper piston back in with a c-clamp or something similar. On my car you have to wind it back in (turn and push at the same time). I went to autozone to rent a kit, and they didn't have anything that fit my car. After a little research I got a tip to basically use a c-clamp and turn with needle nose pliers at the same time. Took a little while but it worked fine.

Make sure you do NOT press the brake pedal while the calipers are off the car. Rumor has it you can over-extend the piston and will not be able to wind it back in.

 

It turned out to be an interesting afternoon. I also discovered that you needed to rotate and compress the brake pistons and the two auto parts stores by my house didn't have the tool either. I ended up fabricating my own tool. Other than that every thing else went fine.

Something strange... at 58,000 miles my rear brakes were shot, almost down to the metal but my front brakes looked brand new. I called the dealership and they said that the S40 will wear the rear brakes faster than the front. I think the automatic emergency brake adjuster is the problem. I think it might adjusting too often. Has anyone else had this happen?

 

You can buy a tool for $30 at Harbor Freight that makes compressing and twisting the caliper piston back in a breeze.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40732