The notion is that an OEM rubber line flexes (balloons) under pressure and a braided line expands less which in turn results in a more linear, less spongy pedal feel. IMHO, we are driving an SUV with pretty decent brakes it's not needed since I have no intentions of taking it to the track or driving it on the street like I was at the track.

 

Some stopping distance comparisons would be interesting to see.

 

unless you are on the track and really poinding the brakes a half dozen or so times a minute i dont think the difference is even 1%.

 

I still can't believe people think this thing has good brakes. I guess it says a lot about what they drove before their XC90?

 

As far as SUV's go I would say the brakes aren't bad, but maybe I've got pads with a better coefficient of friction than you. The last SUV we had was a 2005 Explorer Limited....I hated it the whole time we owned it. The funny thing is that its rated towing capacity was 7300lbs and it's brakes were absolutely horrible. We tow a 4000lbs boat and it was terrible. I'm much more confident in the brakes on the XC90 and it's only rated for 5000lbs.

 

I tow a 5000lbs boat with my 2.5T and the stock pads are inadequate (w/o trailer brakes). I use to tow the same boat/trailer combo using my 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 and the braking was much better. Albeit I upgraded the JGC with slotted and x-drilled rotors and ran aftermarket ceramic pads.

Not to side track the conversation but anyone have experience with the Akebono Euro or Centric Posi-Quiet Semi-Metallic pads?

 

The will do almost nothing to affect the stopping distance; however they will significantly improve the feel and responsiveness of your brakes. Your brake pedal should move down until the pads touch the rotors, and then stop as though you stped on a brick. From there on you modulate your braking force.

If you want to see what an excellent brake setup feels like, test drive a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. It's the closest to the "step on a brick" feeling i've gotten, and I have spent a significant amount of monsy on my ST% to try and get the brakes to feel like that.

Granted the XC90 isn't a sports car, but there is nothing wrong with wanting sporty responsive brakes.

For starters, flush and properly bleed your brakes with clean fresh fluid. Just this alone will significantly improve the feeling, and if you want it stiffer then you might want to consider purchasing and installing stainless lines. Just make sure they are coated and DOT (in the USA) approved and you'll be fine. Uncoated lines will attract dirt into the steel fibers and accelerate their wear, possibly causing a line failure.

 

I checked out takspeed and their xc90 lines are not in stock. anone know where I can get a set w/o paying the $180 at elevate?

 

Then why are there two different brake and rotor sizes with the xc90 if it doesn't change stopping distance?


Sent from the airwaves straight to your electronic viewing brain melting device

 

Then why are there two different brake and rotor sizes with the xc90 if it doesn't change stopping distance?

Sent from the airwaves straight to your electronic viewing brain melting device

Changing the rotor and pad size has a small effect on braking distance, but has a larger effect on cooling efficiency and heat capacity. Volvo probably changed the pads and rotors to cope with the extra mass of a 7 passenger SUV with the more powerful T6 or V8 engine. Smaller brakes may overheat causing warped rotors, or did not provide adequate repeat high speed stopping performance.

 

Since takspeed is out, can anyone recommend a set of ss brake lines cheaper than those at elevate? TIA

 

Found a pair at http://www.techna-fit.com/volvo.html

 

I was just about to post that. I emailed them a few weeks ago and they just replied to me that they had a set of lines fabbed up and put on their website. I have their lines for my STi. They make some good stuff.

 

George has some for sale at Viva. Just ask him, I talked to him after I ordered my Hel SS Brake lines from the UK.

 

I may order a set of these brake lines for her car. I think they will work better than cross drilled rotors. http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1&reviews_id=4

 

It makes me worry that maybe XC90 owners don't get the joke.