Brakes

Brakepads, discs, handbrake. The brakes are crucial for your Volvo 480. Use this category to learn all you need to know!

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just_somebody
480 Newbie
Posts: 22
Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2020 1:51 pm

Brakes

Post by just_somebody » Tue Oct 13, 2020 6:22 pm

Hi guys sorry to be a pain but can anyone help me with what brake discs and pads I need for a 1992 1.7 auto?
I have been trying to search online for the parts but seem to come across multiple options and read something about teves and lucas systems.
I am new and trying so hard to learn about these cars.
Many thanks

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: Brakes

Post by jamescarruthers » Tue Oct 13, 2020 8:38 pm

Turbos all have the ventilated discs at the front, so that makes it easy.

At the back you have a choice of two types: you either need the brake disc with or without the hub. Later cars have the hub & bearing on the axle, so the discs are listed in the parts catalogues as "without hub". It is pretty certain you have this if your car is from 90-ish onwards.

You can verify that you are "without hub" by looking at the rear brake disc on your car, with the wheel off If there is one big No. 3 Philips head countersunk screw, you are "without hub".

Teves is an ABS system, don't worry about which type you have now if you are just changing discs and pads. You may need an accumulator at some point if you have the ABS system with this. (sorry I can't remember which is which right now). It isn't cheap, but is available as it is shared with a Jag.

The only thing to note that makes the 480 a little different from normal cars is that it has an adjuster on the rear caliper (under a cap) that you will need to wind back. For a How To Guide, check out Jeff's guide: https://volvo-480-europe.org/forum/view ... hp?t=35575

I have discs and pads bought direct from EBC on my car. They are fine, as are many brands. A mechanic has just fitted APEC to another (non-480) car which he says are good. Others will chip in with brands they like I'm sure plus some to avoid.

Where are you looking for parts?
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

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dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1522
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:30 pm
Location: York

Re: Brakes

Post by dcwalker » Tue Oct 13, 2020 9:06 pm

First off, no need to apologise and you're not being a pain when you are asking perfectly sensible questions! The whole point of communities like this is that when you're keen to learn and do things yourself then you come and ask those who have more experience than you - many of us may be mad to some greater or lesser degree but we're all harmless and very friendly, so don't hesitate to ask away! :D

On your actual question, as James says you will almost definitely have rear discs "without hub". They're shared across the whole 400 range and simple to change, once you understand how to back off the caliper piston using the handbrake adjustment mechanism. Should be guidance on that here, but if you have Haynes it's about right on this as far as I recall. The inner pads clip into the end of the piston.

The fronts will be solid discs as it isn't a turbo. Make sure you get the right pads - often you'll see on the likes of ebay pads with sticky-out tabs at the sides (like the rears). At the age of your car those will NOT be correct for the front. The ones you need are somewhat squarer looking...

TBH, there are lots of decent ones out there. Euro Car Parts usually provide Pagid which I have happily used, and should provide the correct ones simply by taking the registration of the car...

Hope that helps a bit further

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: Brakes

Post by jamescarruthers » Wed Oct 14, 2020 7:07 am

@OP: I misread auto as turbo for some reason, sorry!
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

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