Hello all: I'm a first-time Volvo owner with a leased 2015.5 Volvo S 60. My lease is expiring this year at a good time with some work needed done.

I'm also a first time forum user and was unsuccessful finding this covered in another thread. Apologies if it's a duplicate.

I recently had the car into my dealer to have it serviced and was informed that it needed rear brake pads - something that can only be done by them at a cost of $380 before the rotors need work. Calling to some other shops they seem to have no concerns with doing the rear brakes on the car at less than half the price without the lasers and mirrors.

Have y'all heard of this or is the dealership trying to pull a fast one on me?

The same person told me if I don't do the 40,000 mile service prior to turn in I'll be docked (billed) for it too, even though my car will have less than 40k at turn in. The sales department said that would not be the case.

Your feedback is welcome.

Thanks!

 

I am on my 5th Volvo - 3 of them relatively recent: 2003 V70T, 2009 V70 3.2 and my current 2015 V60. The latter, with 46K miles on it has not yet had any brake service but both the '03 and '09 cars had brake and rotor replacement. In both cases the work was done by independent mechanics not only for cost reasons but because I have a strong preference for Akebono ceramic pads but the dealer will install only OEM parts. Never had a problem with installation or service. I would ask the dealer why they must do the brakes - is it a condition of the lease?

 

Just re-read your post Lasers & mirrors? that suggests that they consider rear end alignment part of brake service. If changing pads can knock the rear end out of line, there is a serious problem with the design!

 

I just had my rear brakes serviced by an independent (Brakes To Go) on my 2013 S60 for about $330, and that included rotor replacement (preventative, not actually needed). You should have no issue going somewhere else for the brake job.

 

If your vehicle has the Electronic Parking brake (EPB) some independents will shy away from replacing your rear brakes, especially if they do not have the necessary Volvo software VCNA to retract that rear brake. Trying to replace the pads without doing this can cause untold damage. There is a manual way of doing the retraction if your mechanic is in the know but just remember if you do have the EPB, its not as straightforward as replacing pads on a vehicle absent this feature.

 

Thank you all for the input. You are correct, Pretorien, that the issue actually isn't the pads, but the autonomous braking system in the car. As rickwol states, the challenge, from what I'm told, is the retraction and calibration of the brakes. If not done correctly, it'll have to go to the dealer for repairs anyway.

I feel like I"m darned if I do and darned if I don't. It'll cost more, but if an independent messes it up then I'll be out for the repairs to make it right before lease turn in.

I really appreciate the kind feedback here!

Thanks!

 

Just did my 2015 v60 rear pads 2 months ago.
The electric brake retraction issue turned out to be an astonishingly simple "hack"!
There is a motor attached to each caliper that must be activated forward to activate the emergency brake, then backward to release the brake.
It must also be run backward to release the pads far enough for removal/replacement. Run it out til it stops.
DON'T remove them from the calipers, as this could allow dirt where it shouldn't be and might require replacement of >$80 rubber seals.
It's dc 12 volts.
There is a wire and plug/connector attached to each motor.
Hook up a light-duty car battery charger one way to activate the emergency brake motor or the other way to retract it for pad replacement.
Pad replacement is standard and simple once piston is fully retracted.
No need for fancy dealer computer or big $$$.
Got it?

It's the weekend.
Get busy!