Hello fellow Volvo fans!
So I have a 1993 Volvo 245 wagon, automatic with just over 150k miles. She's my daily driver and I think I take pretty good care of her, ie. changing all the fluids regularly, magnets on the drain plug and filter, with lots of upgrades from IPD, and a stainless exhaust. I even flushed the transaxle oil... and I recommend everyone do that... ick!
I love Dorothea, but she's making me nervous lately.
Here's the deal: When I get to the point of stopping, say 5 mph or so, the brake pedal shudders and drops rapidly. Not 100% of the time, just about 35%-40% of the time. I hear a high pitched whine as the car slows to that speed, and then Ka-KUNK, Ka-KUNK!KaKUNK!KaKUNK!! *approximate sound*
With each loud noise, there is pedal drop. The car always stops, but I suspect that the issue has to do with the antilock system somehow, because I had to brake hard last week, and when I did, the wheels locked up, something they aren't supposed to do an an ABS system.
The rotors are newer and straight. (It's not rotor warpage, I know that feeling) The pads are 6 months old, and they are set well. I've flushed the brake fluid twice, in the right order, with a vacuum system. It seemed to help, but then the symptom came back.
To answer some of your questions in advance...
1) the pedal doesn't feel hard to push... it just... gives way with each clunk.
2) the ABS "idiot lamp" icon has not illuminated... (but it could be burned out)...
3) does the brake pedal PULSATE / SHUDDER on application?
4) the pedal does NOT GO TO THE FLOOR or "sink slowly to the floor" if you
hold the pedal firmly w/o lifting?
5) the car doesn't SWERVE SIDE TO SIDE with braking.
6) the STOPPING DISTANCE is pretty regular, if scary with the loss of feel on the pedal.
I cleaned off the ABS sensor with brake cleaner and compressed air. I've dropped it at two shops, they said they cant' replicate the issue. It's making me nervous.
There's a self service shop nearby that I can use with any tools necessary, and I'm open to all diagnoses.
One of my fears it that I had my son help with the car, and he put power steering fluid in the brake reservoir, but that was years ago, and I got it all out. Just trying to share ideas.
I have been researching whether it's the brake booster, the ABS sensors, or what, but I'm at a crossroads here of what to do next, and fear it's becoming unsafe.
I'm not giving up on old Dorothea, she never gives up on me.
So I have a 1993 Volvo 245 wagon, automatic with just over 150k miles. She's my daily driver and I think I take pretty good care of her, ie. changing all the fluids regularly, magnets on the drain plug and filter, with lots of upgrades from IPD, and a stainless exhaust. I even flushed the transaxle oil... and I recommend everyone do that... ick!
I love Dorothea, but she's making me nervous lately.
Here's the deal: When I get to the point of stopping, say 5 mph or so, the brake pedal shudders and drops rapidly. Not 100% of the time, just about 35%-40% of the time. I hear a high pitched whine as the car slows to that speed, and then Ka-KUNK, Ka-KUNK!KaKUNK!KaKUNK!! *approximate sound*
With each loud noise, there is pedal drop. The car always stops, but I suspect that the issue has to do with the antilock system somehow, because I had to brake hard last week, and when I did, the wheels locked up, something they aren't supposed to do an an ABS system.
The rotors are newer and straight. (It's not rotor warpage, I know that feeling) The pads are 6 months old, and they are set well. I've flushed the brake fluid twice, in the right order, with a vacuum system. It seemed to help, but then the symptom came back.
To answer some of your questions in advance...
1) the pedal doesn't feel hard to push... it just... gives way with each clunk.
2) the ABS "idiot lamp" icon has not illuminated... (but it could be burned out)...
3) does the brake pedal PULSATE / SHUDDER on application?
4) the pedal does NOT GO TO THE FLOOR or "sink slowly to the floor" if you
hold the pedal firmly w/o lifting?
5) the car doesn't SWERVE SIDE TO SIDE with braking.
6) the STOPPING DISTANCE is pretty regular, if scary with the loss of feel on the pedal.
I cleaned off the ABS sensor with brake cleaner and compressed air. I've dropped it at two shops, they said they cant' replicate the issue. It's making me nervous.
There's a self service shop nearby that I can use with any tools necessary, and I'm open to all diagnoses.
One of my fears it that I had my son help with the car, and he put power steering fluid in the brake reservoir, but that was years ago, and I got it all out. Just trying to share ideas.
I have been researching whether it's the brake booster, the ABS sensors, or what, but I'm at a crossroads here of what to do next, and fear it's becoming unsafe.
I'm not giving up on old Dorothea, she never gives up on me.
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