Volvo Experts: Is There Another Way?

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion) 04/17/2020 at 08:48 • Filed to: None

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update:  Looks like taking a wheel off is the best (only?) way. 

My 2012 XC70 needs brakes. I’m trying to order them online and found that there are three choices with no obvious way to know which one I need. 336, 316, or 300mm diameter?

I mean, I could obviously MEASURE my current brakes, but I’m not sure I can do that accurately without taking the wheel off, which I don’t really want to do because I don’t like lifting my car with the jack I have. I ordered a new, bigger jack from Harbor Freight, but it’s been nearly 3 weeks and it says Order Pending.

The obvious answer is, suck it up and take a wheel off. But is there any other way to know which my car came with from the factory?

Signed, Captain Lazy.

pip bip - choose Corrour > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 08:57

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unfortunately i think you’ll need to pull a wheel off and measure.

is there an online Volvo parts catalogue?

maybe a breakdown of production option codes might tell you?

Darkbrador > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 08:57

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Measure the s pa re wheel ? 

facw > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 09:02

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Don’t know how to check beyond measuring it. https://www.tascaparts.com/ guarantees fitment if you enter your VIN when you place the order. I feel like there are some other sites that do VIN checks as well, though I don’t remember which off the top of my head .

A pity EL_ULY went to the prancing horse, in his old job I’m sure he could have looked it up for you.

UserNotFound > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 09:04

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Maybe different packages came with different disc sizes? If you can obtain the window sticker for your car, identify the packages that would have upgraded brakes, then find out what those brake sizes are, you can figure out what size your brakes are.

Or just bite the bullet and measure it lol.

My bird IS the word > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 09:05

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Call your dealer’s parts counter and ask for the correct info?

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 09:11

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Volvo owners never change...

Tripper > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 09:15

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For the fronts, Can you cut the wheel really hard and measure from behind?

Urambo Tauro > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 09:22

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I don’t know much about Volvos but it’s probably directly related to engine size or particular trim package. Some parts store websites like AutoZone will ask for the engine info and/or drive wheel arrangement to narrow down the correct parts. ...And s ometimes they just show all the options anyway , leaving you with no choice but to measure what you’ve got.

OPPOsaurus WRX > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 09:29

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call a Volvo  parts department and give vin?

Thisismydisplayname > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 09:43

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Look for the corresponding calipers for each rotor size, that may show you what you need to know what you have.  I know the VAG cars are that way.  The different sized rotors match up to a different style caliper.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > My bird IS the word 04/17/2020 at 09:49

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Yeah. This.

and, this is exactly why I hope dealerships never go away.  Having a “guy” and a “database” that can figure this out on old cars is worth a lot...

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > pip bip - choose Corrour 04/17/2020 at 09:49

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it’s the only way to be certain.

functionoverfashion > Urambo Tauro 04/17/2020 at 09:49

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neither ipd nor fcpeuro will tell me which one even after narrowing it down as far as they’ll let me (engine, trans, awd, etc)

I remember on my bmw it mattered which sound system you had when ordering rear springs, because they accounted for the weight of the equipment (amps, mostly). 

functionoverfashion > pip bip - choose Corrour 04/17/2020 at 09:50

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I think my laziness will boil down to pulling a wheel - it will ultimately take less time than online research, or even calling a local dealer tbh. 

functionoverfashion > Tripper 04/17/2020 at 09:50

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hmm maybe? It is only the front that has options anyway. 

functionoverfashion > OPPOsaurus WRX 04/17/2020 at 09:51

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Could do that. Don’t love wasting their time, but ... what do we have now but time? 

functionoverfashion > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 04/17/2020 at 09:51

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At least now I use my blinkers, since I sold my bmw

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 09:52

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In this situation I’d call the parts department at the dealer and ask them to quote you the parts via your VIN.  Then either get the pn or just ask what size they are.  Who knows they might be thirsty enough to give you a decent price too!  (They won’t)

Sovande > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 09:58

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Email fcp customer service. Tell them your Vin and what you want and they will send you a list of the parts. I love that place.

That said, I’d bet you have  the smallest brakes.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 10:11

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Nope, gotta measure. Ipd has a great blog post about it here:

https://www.ipdusa.com/techtips/10018/why-do-i-need-to-measure-my-brake-rotors-or-check-the-style-of-my-brake-pads

Basically, Volvo doesn’t track brake size, even in your cars build sheet. The best you could do is a VIDA (Vehicle Information & Diagnostics for Aftersales) lookup, if you have access to VIDA software, to get the factory wheel size. That somehow will lead you to the brake size since Volvo seems to pick brake rotor diameter based on wheel size.

Sorry. 

Urambo Tauro > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 10:13

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How about this, then. Order the largest ones, and if they don’t fit, order the rest of your brake upgrade! :)

Textured Soy Protein > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 10:30

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I drill down to exactly what I need for my BMW by searching my VIN on RealOEM. Not sure if these will yield similarly accurate results but here are a couple Volvo parts searches that let you enter a VIN.

https://usparts.volvocars.com/

https://www.volvopartscounter.com/

EL_ULY > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 10:33

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Damn I would looked these up for you back then. XC70 had the most options. 3 for the front and I think 2 sizes out back plus the option for solid or vented of each size. Your options are to measure or go to the website facw mentioned earlier. Shoot me over the last 6 of the VIN and maybe I can get someone to tell me if it's his turn to work today. Dang alternating schedules 

functionoverfashion > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/17/2020 at 10:34

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ah! well then, no problem. I do have VIDA but it’s on a laptop that I loaned to a guy who works at my local indy shop, and they’re closed for a while... not worth asking for the laptop back right now. Thanks for the link! 

Tripper > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 10:35

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That is how I put my front “splash guards” on the AT, Wheels had to come off for the rears.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 10:50

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Just buy all 3 and return the ones that don’t work.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > OPPOsaurus WRX 04/17/2020 at 10:51

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This is the correct answer.

HammerheadFistpunch > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 11:00

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Just watched this episode last night. That’ s all

Ash78, voting early and often > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 11:19

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I’ve never had a car that didn’t have the rotor diameter and minimum thickness stamped on the rotor hat. But then again, there are 4 general types of cars:

1. American

2. Asian

3. European, non-Swedish

4. Swedish

functionoverfashion > Ash78, voting early and often 04/17/2020 at 11:41

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5. Saabs

Ash78, voting early and often > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 11:46

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Saabs are like #17.

So you’re asking “What about #5 through #16?”

Those are blank -- just a buffer zone for the others.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 12:14

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Just a heads up, for the front brakes, you’re gonna need a 9mm Hex Bolt. Only store where I could find one was Autozone.

For Sweden > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 12:17

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I reached into the depths of my email archives, and learned the last brake rotors I purchased where 288 mm rear rotors.  I don’t think that will help.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 12:18

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You’re welcome. Sorry it’s not a straightforward answer.

Sometimes I wonder... why do we put up with these crazy S wedish cars?

For Sweden > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 12:18

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Some wizards on the forums have modded VIDA to run on Windows 10.  It’s magical.

functionoverfashion > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 04/17/2020 at 12:44

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Is this a 9mm torx bit, for the hold-down bolt? I do have one of those.... if that’s what it is. 

functionoverfashion > For Sweden 04/17/2020 at 12:48

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Oooh I haven’t been there for a while, my setup is stable on Win7 on my old laptop. But that’s magical. Good to know! 

functionoverfashion > For Sweden 04/17/2020 at 12:50

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Well now my wife called me and said there was a brake warning light in her Mini. So I’ll check that out, see what it needs, while changing out the winter wheels this weekend. And I’ll jack up the Volvo to measure a front rotor. Then put an order in all together so I don’t have to pay for shipping twice. 

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > functionoverfashion 04/17/2020 at 13:02

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Yup! Glad you’ve got one. Was a pain in the ass doing brakes on an XC60 the other week. Did the Rears first and by the time we Got to the front and  realized we needed the bit every store was closed.