I took my 06 XC90 2.5t AWD to a local Volvo mechanic and had new Zimmerman rotors and Akebono Euro Ceramic Pads put on the front today. The brakes now feel soft compared to before. Is this common when putting on new rotors and pads and will get firmer as they break in or is there something else wrong?

I took it to him because the dealer wanted an arm and a leg to do the job. Dealer had also recommended a brake fluid flush, but the local Volvo mechanic said the fluid was fine. He typically works on older Volvos, but I figured replacing rotors and pads is as basic as it gets, right? Anybody have thoughts on the soft feel?

 

I would bleed the brake system or better yet flush the system the the best fluid you can get.

Cb

 

Probably too late to share this, but new brakes will feel that way until they "seat" properly. Give it at least 200 miles of normal use.

I just did a 4 wheel brake job on our XC90 and I'm going through that same break in period now.

 

All good advice. Another thing might be the Akebono pads. If they are the dustless type, they don't tend to have the bite of stock pads. I put a set on my BMW and they took quite a while, like about 1000 miles before they bedded in and even then they don't quite grab as well as the standard pads. Very nice not have dirty rims though and they will still grab enough to engage the ABS, just take a little more effort. Flush the system and then drive them for a while.