Any reason that an experienced brakes specialist could replace pads on my 240DL ?

A suitably trained monkey could change brake pads. You're asking if someone with 18 years experience can be trusted to do it right?

Sorry, I am not as familiar with the process as I am with other activities. 'Just want to make sure my brakes don't fail me at some inopportune time. The other componenets of the inspection of the brakes SYSTEM, as a whole, would not necessarily require a Volvo tech , would it ? tks.

Anyone with 18 years experience should be able to diagnose and repair virtually all braking system problems. The only likely issue might be where someone has 18 years on cars but doesn't know much about commercial vehicles (or vice-versa). If they can't fix a problem they should, hopefully, be honest enough to say so and recommend someone who can.

Bear in mind that this is his livelihood. If he gets it wrong he risks losing that and a whole lot more. There will be cowboys around but most wouldn't last 18 years.

Just a thought - how do you know he has 18 years experience? If you have any doubts about the accuracy of this (he can tell you anything but that doesn't make it true) it would be sensible to go elsewhere.

Volvo 240 brakes are among the simplest to work with of any car I've done brakes on. I'm not sure how a brake shop could possibly screw that up assuming they have any idea at all of what they're doing.

The only reason to take it to the Volvo guy is that by doing profitable work like brake jobs he'll be there later to do the service you need that won't be available elsewhere.

Bob

There is nothing special about putting new brake pads on a 240.

John

In response to a question that was never asked... I'll never use aftermarket pads on a Volvo again.

I bought DanBlok (who actually make the OEM pads for Volvo 700 series cars), and they SUCKED... they made so much noise (squealing). Horrible.

These were on brand new Brembo rotors (the only aftermarket part I would buy for brakes). I couldn't fix the squeal with compound or shims, so I ripped them out after 10K kms and installed Volvo OEM pads. Very quiet, and excellent stopping ability.

That and bringing parts TO a mechanic is a no-no.

I haven't used Volvo pads in over 30 years. They suck and dust too much. Soft pads don't make too much noise but they wear too damned fast. I went through the pads on my '03 XC in about

25,000 miles. It's now over 55,000 and the pads that I had put on are still over half unworn...PLUS, my front rims aren't black with dust after two days out of the car wash.

Uhhh, yeah, right. And if an independent mechanic is getting his parts from a parts store that's getting those wonderful Chinese timing belts??? I've never had a problem with bringing a part in to a mechanic. When I was in L.A. the Volvo / Saab mech. couldn't get the right part from the parts place that he was doing business with...an oxygen sensor. They said that the job would take about three hours. When I couldn't get the car back on the third day, I finally brought in the sensor that I had laying around the garage and had them install it. Independent mechanics usually get the cheapest parts that they can lay their hands on combined with the most markup. On my old Mustang, when I had my trans fluid changed all that they had was Dexron...no type F. I've gone through that before, believe me. I went and bought my own fluid. Sure, they didn't pump it out of a 30 gallon drum and it took more time but it preserved my trans.

I have been putting Raybestos QuiteStop pads on my Volvo 850 as well as several other makes of cars with excellent results.

John

That all depends on the mechanic and the situation. I have certainly done so in the past with the prior agreement of the mechanic and it was no sweat.

John

The Volvo shop I deal with typically stocks OEM parts, which isn't cheap. They sell the OEM parts for a little less than a Volvo dealership. They are an independent shop.

Most shops make their money by selling parts. Some shops use good stuff. Most of the places I've dealt with use good quality parts, because they don't want to see you back for repeat/free/warranty work. However, you're right, you never know.

I don't know what a Chinese timing belt looks like, my car has a chain ;).. (B280F and still running strong after 300K kms!)

Back to the original question, eh? Volvo brakes are nothing weird or unique, and any experienced mechanic should be able to do the job.

Ah yes, back to your question.

They are quite simple. Yes. As long as the caliper sliders are lubricated and everything is checked over (if you drive in a salty area, check the pistons, etc..).

Full brake system inspection is a good thing, hoses. But sure, they are simple enough. My system is Bendix, so basically nothing new/special. (ATE in the rear).

Hope that helps.

Thanks to those who helped. I did have the fellow (with the 18 years of experience ) do the job. He let me watch, as close as I wanted, and it is indeed a simple overall job. I bought and he used specific non OEM pads, which were recommended to me and they feel best ever. In retrospect it silly of me to consider that it is/was a Volvo tech only job, but now I know. One considerable advantage of the fellow who did the job is that he had a professional car lift, rather than jack stands, which I would have to use. Thanks again.

//////////////////////// >I have used a local, well though of, Volvo service shop for years.

Don't be surprised if you get brake squeal. The stock Volvo pads are a compromise between good wear and no squeal. Most after-market pads wear better but squeal.

Did the mechanic apply the anti-squeal grease on the back of the pads? Did the mechanic replace the spring which pushes the pads back from the rotor?

For something as cheap as brake pads and as important, I prefer the best. So do my neighbors who don't want to hear my brakes squeal every time I come home.

I've had good luck with PBR Deluxe pads, though even they will squeel sometimes. The most important part there is to use a good coat of anti-squeel compound, the metal shims seem to help too.

It helps to keep two things in mind: Volvo, being a fairly small car company, used lots of standard European and even Asian parts in their cars. That includes several kinds of brakes, and their automatic transmissions. Also, they designed models up to and including the 240 and 700 series to be easy to work on. Except for the 240 ventilation fan. You really don't want to replace *that* yourself.

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