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  • Hello! And C30 brake rotor thickness.

Hello! As you can probably guess from my username, I am a fan of old Peugeots. But a few years ago I found a particularly nice 2008 Volvo C30 T5 R, and made the leap into the present century!

One of the many things I love about old cars is that I can do all the maintenance and repairs myself. On beginning to drive, I quickly learned that this was the only way to ensure that the work I was charged for was done properly, or even done at all.

As the C30 is a significantly more modern and technological beast, I have hitherto had it serviced by “the professionals”. This has largely been driven by my inability to find a workshop manual for the C30, and my lack of electronic diagnostic equipment (OBD) through which to communicate with the car’s computer.

Sadly, “the professionals” have only served to reinforce previously held fears. On the other hand, I am happy to have found the Pelican Parts website (https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Volvo_C30_Tech.htm ) which serves as a pretty good basic workshop manual for someone with a pre-existing familiarity with working on cars. With this website and my recent discovery of technology like ‘BlueDriver’, I am hopeful that I might henceforth be able to take better care of my lovely Volvo by doing the work myself.

In this undertaking, it is only logical to connect with the wealth of information that is a dedicated bunch of enthusiasts like the crew of Oz Volvo, for all those little details which are easily missed ;)

To that point, I presently need to replace my brake pads, and am wondering what is the minimum thickness for the front rotors? Strangely, the Pelican Parts website gives the minimum specs for the rears, but overlooks the fronts. Can anyone help me out?

(Ala Columbo), There’s just one more thing: Are there any recommendations of brand, type or particular seller for replacement pads and rotors? (I am in Melbourne).

(Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, but I couldn’t find it. Also sorry if I have posted this in the wrong part of the forum #newb).


Thanks in advance :)
Not sure what the min is offhand but my advise would be to replace the front rotors with DBA T2 rotors and some quality pads like bendix euro+ pads

The factory metal is super soft and wears very quickly and so is near always below minimum after even a single set of pads
Welcome.
Have you tried Berry Motor Group in Mitcham? Loan cars available.
Or Voldat in Moorabin? May have loan car.
Plus one up Reservoir way I can't recal.
Plus one in Essendon I will get contact if you need, not a die hard ovlov tech but knows them well, one of us here does vouch for them and I'm going to go there myself*
I'm usually at BMG for my v60t6 as I gave up doing my own work with all the earlier 850 and s/V70 stuff. (don't get me started on 240s.....bloody hell...).
Now I live Altona and will gladly go to Mitcham, they are so good....

For diagnostics, others here will tell you which eBay seller has the kit for you and which version of software to load onto a laptop to do the codes and resets for most but not all functions, some need specific tools and some is dealer only. @Philia_Bear?

Pix of kar please?

@ashDVS can help with parts, brake and suspension parts and guru type knowledge on handling....
Cheers! Les
@Philia_Bear Thanks for the recommendation. The DBA parts PDF ( https://dba.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DBA_CAT_2013_VERSION2a.pdf ) lists the minimum rotor thickness amongst all the specs, so you ended up giving me that spec too, so thanks! :)

I have heard about the soft metal of OE rotors. I don't know if pads or rotors have been changed before, but the car has done about 80,00km, where the last 25,000 have been under my ownership, so it is probably a reasonable time to change the lot.

The DBA T2 rotors and the Bendix Euro+ pads look like a pretty good setup. Sparesbox are doing the DBA2380S for just under $220 (pair), which seems ridiculously good. Although strangely, the Bendix website lists the DB1679 EURO+ for the C30, but the Sparesbox website says these pads won't fit the C30, but I'm inclined to follow the Bendix website over that of a generic seller...

@Ex850R Thanks for the welcome :)
I have indeed heard of Berry Motor Group and Voldat, through poring over forums looking for advice, and I have seen that they are highly regarded. After my costly horror experiences with "the experts" I decided to call BMG to book a repair. To my rapturous joy, they told me over the phone how I could fix the problem myself in about five minutes. They didn't charge me and they didn't get a booking out of me, they just freely shared the knowledge. I decided right then that anything I can't do myself will henceforth go to BMG. However things like brakes, filters, and oil changes are well within my capabilities, and I should get over my fear of working on more modern cars. It's funny that you seem to be the opposite, that is, preferring to work on more current stuff! (I suspect I would be more at home under a 240).

Regarding OBD readers, my interest has been piqued by BlueDriver because it is only limited by what vehicles have been added to the software by the makers, a process which is constantly evolving. So it is not marque specific, and any smart phone can be used as the 'computer interface'. That way dad can use it for his modern cars too.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for Ash. Given my liking for old Peugeots this probably goes without saying, but whilst I'm interested in all mechanical systems of cars, for me the real magic is in suspension and handling.

Pix of kar? Hmmm, I don't really have many, but here's two. It's funny that we rarely get to see it, but some cars are really beautiful when viewed from above. I think the C30 is a great example of this:




Nice! We love ours - same year and colour as yours by the looks of it. It’s been very reliable in the 7 years we’ve owned it. Hope your brake job goes well. I probably need new rotors as well but kinda been waiting for the pads to need replacing too.

Yes, my experience of Berry's is of great people and service.

I'm not keen on working on any car anymore especially a 240......

The volvo specific scan tool is called VIDA and uses the interface DICE. It's the only thing that's going to work for you. Other readers, even expensive workshop ones that do other brands do not work on volvo.
jamesinc;c-156374 wroteWelcome @Peugeot_504, it's (usually) fun and rewarding to do your own maintenance! :)
LOL.
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