How to Replace the Front Rotors on a Volvo

Volvo is a Swedish company that has been making sturdily built automobiles able to withstand a harsh climate since 1927. The front radiator grille on the early cars came with a diagonal stripe across its face, a styling cue that Volvo still uses as of 2010.

Volvo first fitted disc brakes at the front of its cars in the early 1960's. The disc brake rotor spins with the front wheels. When the brake pedal is applied, a caliper squeezes the brake pads against the rotor, slowing or stopping the car. Over time, the rotors will wear and replacement will be necessary.

Instructions

1

Park the car on a firm, level surface and apply the parking brake. Raise the front of the vehicle with a hydraulic jack so that the wheels are off the ground and place a jack stand under each suspension lower control arm. Lower the hydraulic jack and remove it.

2

Remove the front wheels by loosening and removing the lug nuts in a counter clockwise direction with a lug wrench. Set the wheels and nuts aside.

3

Remove the two brake caliper holding bolts with a 13 mm wrench in a counter clockwise direction and set them aside. Slide the caliper off of the brake rotor and hang it out of the way with a bungee cord. Be careful not to stress or kink the flexible brake hose that will still be attached to the caliper. Repeat this step for both the right and left side.

4

Remove the caliper mounting bracket by backing out the two holding bolts with a 10 mm hex head wrench in a counter clockwise direction. Set the bolts and the caliper bracket aside. Back out the rotor holding screw on the face of the rotor with a Philips screwdriver in a counter clockwise direction. Slide the rotor off of the front hub. Rap the rotor with a hammer to loosen if it is stubborn. Repeat this step for both the right and left side.

5

Slide a new rotor onto the front hub, lining up the holes in the rotor with the wheel studs. Replace the holding screw with a Philips screwdriver in a clockwise direction. Re-attach the caliper mounting bracket by turning in the holding bolts with a 10 mm hex head wrench in a clockwise direction.

Remove the bungee cord and slide the brake caliper over the rotor and attach it to the mounting bracket by turning in the holding bolts with a 13 mm wrench in a clockwise direction. Repeat this step for both the right and left side.

6

Install the front wheels back onto the hubs and thread the lug nuts onto the mounting studs with the tapered side facing inwards. Snug the nuts with the lug wrench in a clockwise direction.

Raise the front of the car with the hydraulic jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the hydraulic jack slowly to bring the car to the ground. Remove the hydraulic jack. Tighten the lug nuts with a lug wrench in a clockwise direction.