Your Guide to the 2012-2016 Volvo S80 Disc Brake Hardware Kit
Stop brake noise and uneven wear on your S80 by understanding these critical components.
- Always replace the disc brake hardware kit with every brake pad change to ensure quiet operation and even wear.
- You must verify your S80's specific front rotor diameter (300mm, 316mm, or 336mm) before ordering parts to get the correct kit.
- If your S80 has an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), you need a scan tool to put the rear calipers in service mode for replacement.
- Quality aftermarket brands like Raybestos, Centric, and Dorman are excellent, cost-effective alternatives to OEM hardware.
Is it Time for New Brake Hardware?
The small clips and springs in your brake hardware kit are constantly exposed to extreme heat, moisture, and road grime. They lose their tension and corrode over time. When this happens, the brake pads can fail to move freely, leading to a host of noticeable problems. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to more expensive repairs, like premature replacement of pads and rotors.
Symptoms of Worn Brake Hardware
- Squealing or Scraping Noises: When you release the brake pedal, worn hardware may not pull the pad away from the rotor correctly, causing a light but constant noise.
- Rattling or Clunking: Loose or missing clips can allow the brake pads to rattle within the caliper bracket, especially over bumps.
- Uneven Brake Pad Wear: If you notice one pad is much thinner than another on the same axle, it's a classic sign of a stuck pad caused by worn hardware or a seized caliper pin.
- Brake Dragging: A brake that doesn't fully release can cause a burning smell, poor fuel economy, and a wheel that is excessively hot to the touch after driving.
Pro Tip: Replace Hardware with Every Brake Job
For the cost of a kit, it is always best practice to replace your disc brake hardware every time you replace your brake pads. This ensures all components work together perfectly, preventing noise and maximizing the life of your new pads and rotors. 🎬 Watch: Step-by-step front brake and hardware replacement for your S80. Most quality brake pad sets include the necessary hardware.
Choosing the Right Aftermarket Hardware
Volvo's original equipment (OE) hardware is high quality, but so are many aftermarket options. For a vehicle like the S80, it is important to avoid the cheapest, no-name brands, as they often use inferior materials that can fail quickly. The brands available for your S80 can be grouped into tiers based on quality and materials.
- Premium Aftermarket (Beck Arnley, Dynamic Friction, Raybestos): These brands often use high-quality materials like stainless steel and provide coatings for corrosion resistance. They are engineered to meet or exceed OEM specifications and are an excellent choice for maintaining factory performance and quiet operation.
- Quality Aftermarket (Centric, Carlson): Centric and Carlson are well-regarded brands that offer a great balance of quality and value. They are a reliable choice for a daily driver and are often preferred by professional mechanics for their consistent fit and finish.
- Standard Aftermarket (Dorman): Dorman is known for producing a vast catalog of reliable OE-equivalent parts. Their hardware kits are a dependable and widely available option for a standard brake service.
Critical Ordering & Installation Mistakes
1. Verify Your Front Rotor Size: The 2012-2016 S80 came with three different front brake sizes: 300mm, 316mm, and 336mm. The hardware may differ between these sizes. You must confirm your vehicle's specific rotor size before ordering parts to ensure you get the correct kit.
2. Check for an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB): Many S80 models have an EPB for the rear brakes. If your car has this, you CANNOT simply compress the rear caliper piston. You must use a compatible scan tool to put the rear brakes into 'service mode' before starting the job. Failure to do so will damage the caliper motors.
🎬 See three ways to safely retract your electronic parking brake.Known Issues: Uneven Front Pad Wear (TSB)
Volvo issued a Technical Journal (TJ 32217664) for potential premature or uneven wear on the right-side front brake pads. This is often caused by a faulty brake dust shield design that traps heat and debris. The official fix is to replace the right-side dust shield with an updated part when performing the brake job. If you've experienced this issue, consider it a necessary part of the repair.
| Part Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| New Aftermarket Hardware Kit | $10 - $34 |
| New OEM Hardware Kit | $40 - $75 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I really need to replace my brake hardware?
Yes, it is highly recommended. Reusing old, corroded, or heat-fatigued hardware is a common cause of brake noise, vibration, and accelerated wear on your new pads. For a small cost, a new kit is cheap insurance for a quiet and effective brake job.
What is an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) and how do I know if I have it?
An Electronic Parking Brake replaces the traditional hand lever or foot pedal with a button on your dashboard or center console. If your S80 has this feature, you must use a diagnostic scan tool to retract the rear caliper pistons electronically before you can replace the rear pads and hardware.
🎬 Watch: How to change rear brakes with an EPB system.Why are there three different front brake sizes for my S80?
Volvo equipped the S80 with different brake sizes based on the engine, drivetrain (FWD/AWD), and trim level. Larger, more powerful engines required larger brakes. It is critical to measure your rotors or check your vehicle's specifications before ordering parts.
My new brakes are squealing, is it the hardware?
It could be. If the hardware wasn't replaced or was installed incorrectly, it can cause noise. However, noise can also be caused by not applying anti-squeal paste to the back of the brake pads, not cleaning the caliper sufficiently, or the need to 'bed-in' the new pads and rotors. If the noise persists, have the installation checked.
Helpful Videos
Technical Specifications
Hardware kits are specific to the brake caliper and rotor size. The 2012-2016 S80 has multiple possible front rotor sizes: 300mm, 316mm, or 336mm. Rear brakes may be conventional or have an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB). These factors must be confirmed before ordering.
We Have This Part in Stock
The information in this article is provided for general reference and educational purposes only. Vehicle specifications, procedures, and part compatibility can vary by production date, trim level, and region. Always consult your vehicle's factory service manual and verify part numbers before purchasing or performing repairs. Safety-critical components such as airbags, seat belts, and braking systems should be installed by a qualified professional.
- Volvo S80:
- 🎬 Helpful Videos
- 🛍️ Shop This Part
- Is it Time for New Brake Hardware?
- Symptoms of Worn Brake Hardware
- Pro Tip: Replace Hardware with Every Brake Job
- Choosing the Right Aftermarket Hardware
- Critical Ordering & Installation Mistakes
- Known Issues: Uneven Front Pad Wear (TSB)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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