Nothing Is Easy With My Volvo V70R, But A Simple Brake Job Wasn't So Bad!

My Volvo V70R is really good at breaking... But after today, it's going to brake better than is ever has before.
It's Volvo time again! Today, my uncle and I are tackling the absolutely worn out brakes on my spaceball manual V70R. I was experiencing pedal vibration from deceleration, which tipped me off to the fact that I might have some warped rotors. So, I figured this would be a great time to give the Volvo a new set of brake pads AND rotors!
After all of that fun, there was some routine-ish maintenance to perform on the backbone of the channel, the Toyota Prius. The front tires are getting a little bald, and I had a nail in one of the rear tires. So I give the old Prius some time under the studio lights, rotate the tires, and get the tire patched. Lots going on in this episode!
Big shoutout to ‪@ShiftingLanes‬ for making an amazing instructional video on how to change the brakes on a Volvo V70R. Check out their how-to video here:
• Project Volvo V70R - R...
Thanks for watching!
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#Volvo #Brakes #PinsAndNeedles

[@ElliottAlvis]

Shoutout to Karl Brembo.

[@ModelA]

A big Hee Haw "Saaaaal-ooot!"

[@maraudingmerc9381]

We Stan a legend!

[@muskokamike127]

trivia test: do you know why 90% of flats occur on back tires? tick tick tick tick AND NO GOOGLING!!!

[@maraudingmerc9381]

@@muskokamike127 front tires kick up sharp objects that are flat on the ground (not a risk to puncture) and the back tires catch them as they tumble?

[@sergiobisonte]

elliot.. this is the biggest scam car in youtube.. since you bought it for that stupid scam price, you already wasted the money on it to buy a 'super car'... just sell it as is and go get a porsche or another z3 for the channel

[@daddynichol52]

Your Uncle Glenn is awesome and passing along his knowledge and expertise.

[@ElliottAlvis]

He's great. I'm very fortunate to have him and his help.

[@inajiffy5435]

How was that brake job a nightmare? Where was the seized caliper slider pins, the rusty caliper pistons, the snapped off bleed nipple that you had to drill out, the ABS pump so drained of fluid that normal bleeding wouldn't work or the usual (in Scotland) caliper bolts that are so rusty they looked like they'd been removed from the wreck of the Titanic on the ocean floor? You didn't even have to do the job lying outside in the snow! Mate, that job was a piece of cake.

[@terryhayward7905]

My thought exactly, I watched this to see what problems he had that I have not had on my XC70, and there were none at all.

[@RJsCave]

Charlotte was the star of the show today! future breakout star in the works. wonderfully adorable.

[@ElliottAlvis]

She stole the show for sure!

[@barbaraalvis2881]

Big shout out to brave little Charlotte, your fearless and adorable fellow test driver! Lol! This very well could be her first big “brake” in show business!😊👍🏼⭐️⭐️ And kudos to Uncle Glen, who totally rocks. Great video, Elliott. Love your energy, enthusiasm, knowledge and always wonderful sense of humor!

[@ElliottAlvis]

Thanks mom! Charlotte takes after you with her on-camera skills.

[@larrymcsorley9899]

Can’t wait to see it with the hood repainted!

[@grewk2518]

I bought an S60R 4 months ago and my story is pretty darn similar. Its been up on jacks being worked on longer than its been on the road. That said, when its on the road its incredible..... and then it breaks again

[@ElliottAlvis]

Ah, you know the struggle then. Enjoy the car when its working! lol

[@grewk2518]

@@ElliottAlvis I just cant' get any brakes

[@Jollish]

Should have bought a T5..

[@hondaatcfreak420]

Some cars just need Jewish lightning ⚡⚡

[@user-tz3zn2kz8w]

Glad I stuck with the P80 platform.

[@starkyslp16]

Worth it to wire wheel surface rust off the hubs and Brakleen the calipers while you're down there. As always, love your humor throughout

[@ElliottAlvis]

You are absolutely right, those are great suggestions. Thanks for watching!

[@battlegrounds132]

Your uncle is definitely a cool guy!

[@ElliottAlvis]

He rules!

[@colinritchie1757]

I guess that the presence of you delightful daughter makes Dad jokes inevitable, I hate jacking cars I've heard cracking bodywork too many times to feel happy, great video as always Elliot

[@ElliottAlvis]

I get nervous about it too, there's nothing worse than that cracking body panel sound!

[@leakyboomboomman3098]

Elliot, your uncle is a legend!! Keep up the great work!! 🇳🇿🇦🇺

[@ElliottAlvis]

I agree, he's the best!

[@gregdesena4207]

I think it's fair to say the Volvo has become the flagship of this channel! Great video as always!

[@MrTimdtoolman1]

That's awesome that Karl tested out your rotors personally, that what I call personal service. Great video!

[@ElliottAlvis]

Karl is one heck of a guy. Brembo should really pay him more!

[@misterfeedback202]

Your Uncle deserves a free Cat T-Shirt for all of his help. Great video.

[@ElliottAlvis]

Haha, I think he deserves 20 cat shirts at least!

[@itsnotme07]

I think you need to have some more coffee in the morning Elliott. You seem sluggish and not yourself. Oh yeah, that looks like a roofing nail....anyone recently redo their roof around your place? If so...they might owe you that tire fix. Congrats to Charlotte for keeping everyone calm and safe.

[@ElliottAlvis]

Yeah, I'm still going through some personal stuff. I'm trying my best to be chipper. But yes, Charlotte brought the spunk!

[@vamosaltemacongabrielmende3965]

Great to see your uncle working with you, and off course your little one in the brakes maiden voyage.

[@robertkeable1627]

Coming along nicely. Be well and stay safe.

[@mlortiz06]

Love the content your making with the Volvo v70r. Good to see your doing good things to it, btw your daughter looks just like you!!

[@ElliottAlvis]

Hey, thanks!

[@The_Mace]

Milwaukee, Makita...close enough. Also, Charlotte's presence improves this channel by about 1000%.

[@ElliottAlvis]

Oh my gosh, it is a Makita... I get so used to WatchJRGo and 100PercentJake saying Milwaukee, I said it myself 🤦

[@The_Mace]

@@ElliottAlvis LOL that's awesome

[@RowanRedbrush]

I went into this video expecting to be fooled, since it is April 1st after all, but instead got to watch a bunch of jacking and braking! Although I suppose the Volvo not acting up for once is fools enough! Thanks for the video, Elliott! It was nice seeing a little bit of the Prius at the end!

[@ElliottAlvis]

Thanks Bunker! No April fooling here, just jacking!

[@Complex_Addition]

This is one of the better channels on youtube. Cheers from Finland !

[@OneWithLogic]

I didn't expect to get called out by Elliott's shirt in the intro today

[@ElliottAlvis]

😂

[@br549rdr]

Your blessed to have a uncle that is so willing to help you.😇. Now we just Gota get Uncle Glenn wearing a cat T shirt. Lol😂 Your daughter is a lil doll.

[@matthewvincent5034]

This must be the easiest fix you have had so far on the 70R. I cant wait to see the finsihed product. I feel your pain as always but you sure have an awesome wagon. I look foward to future content.

[@ElliottAlvis]

Thanks Matthew. I keep telling myself that this car will be worth it one day lol

[@gcrauwels941]

@@ElliottAlvis I keep telling myself that too .

[@roheetpatel8378]

Loving another episode of the motory notary Regards to you all young sir

[@evansisgreat]

Thumbs up for Uncle Glen!

[@sportzntouring]

So glad to see the Volvo at the stage of stopping, rather than not going! Congrats! And your good luck charm, Charlotte, stole the show! 😁 Glad it was just the brake cleaner that didn't work this time😂

[@ChrisCollins-Oakland]

Time for Track Day with the Volvo

[@ElliottAlvis]

It's certainly getting there!

[@CarsofGlasgow]

😃 great video, love the Volvo series. Little Charlotte is adorable

[@gradient602]

Always love the Volvo content... what I dont like is that youtube didnt send me notifications on any of your videos for two months!!! well atleast I can binge on some spaceball vids now. Keep em coming! and paint the hood!

[@ElliottAlvis]

Do you have notifications for my channel turned on? And thanks for watching! Hood (and fenders) will get painted asap!

[@maraudingmerc9381]

Oh, hell yeah! Fresh brakes all the way around is one of the most rewarding maintenance projects!

[@keithkenney587]

I love the family connection in your content!

[@ElliottAlvis]

Thanks Keith! My uncle is so awesome. I'm very thankful for all of his help.

[@TheThomsen202]

Love the volvo video series!

[@anthonybarton2103]

I enjoy your relationship with your uncle.

[@ElliottAlvis]

Thanks Anthony! He's awesome isn't he?

[@anthonybarton2103]

@@ElliottAlvis Yes 👍 this is a reason I enjoy your videos it brings back times for me with my relationship with my Uncle I had a better relationship with my uncle than with my own father. We was best friends.

[@mydogisauniversalautomotive]

These videos make me so happy for some reason 😅

[@3z2xx]

I hope you pumped the brake pedal before you started driving. It could be really bad even if you are driving slowly. Stay safe!

[@ElliottAlvis]

I did! I appreciate your concern lol

[@emrei]

We really love this R. After the respray of the bonet, we will love it more :)

[@davidkutschke54]

This will be a weird comment, but I had an aunt who had a V70 and eventually a XC70. I remember the smell of that car so vividly, and I feel like I can smell your car through the screen based soley on my memory of those seats and that dash.

[@MicahS70T5M]

Same. Old crayon smell. My first XC70 had it, my dads V50, my S40 T5, my S60R, and now my S70 T5. It’s also been present in my friends S60 and my parents friends XC90. Although another friend with an 850 didn’t have the smell… only time I haven’t smelled it in a Volvo.

[@ElliottAlvis]

Not weird at all, I know what you mean!

[@zyrtec455]

Love your T-shirt no balance 😂

[@Menn0knight]

I saw the NoBalance T-shirt, instant thumbs up.

[@michaelday6987]

Not only does Elliot have a nice growing KZbin channel, but man is he lucky to build the kind of memories that are most important as he gets older.

[@thagerdorn2009]

HEY! It's the best KStuber!!! Glad you're back and doing good brother. I just picked up a wagon myself, a dodge Magnum. I've owned a few volvos though and I know what you are going through. Both my 00 S80 and my 02 S60 had bunches of issues and xemodex helped me tremendously. Hope you and the family are doing well. Take care!

[@ElliottAlvis]

Hey! Thanks man. Magnums are awesome, congratulations on securing one!

[@sebastiend.5335]

Cat shirt game on point again. Respect! Those wheels DO look good...

[@Djwally13]

Nice! I put Brembos on my Daughter's V70 last year, best braking performance ever! It's not recommended but you should clean the rust off the wheel hub and apply a thin coat of anti-sieze between the rotor and hub. This will prevent future corrosion and make it easier to service the next time you have to remove the rotors.

[@christopherkraft1327]

Greetings Mr Motary Notary, it's awesome to have you back!!! The Volvo is coming along nicely, having brakes is kinda important if you plan on driving a car. I'm thinking that you've just experienced a big break!!! Charlotte is absolutely adorable!!! Thanks for sharing this fun video!!! 👍👍🙄

[@ElliottAlvis]

Great puns yourself Christopher! Thanks for watching and commenting my friend.

[@christopherkraft1327]

@@ElliottAlvis thanks buddy!!

[@AZACKAL]

Bringing the kid is the only way to make the Volvo gods happy apparently so that's why mine has a blown engine lol

[@Julian-do7bv]

Dude once the hood is repainted on that Volvo it will look amazing like you said those wheels are awesome

[@jimcolangelo7003]

There are few things more satisfying than new pads and rotors. Also, great idea swapping them all at once. Turning rotors is a waste of time, and saving pads is as well. Just change it all out to new when they are worn, there is no up side to trying to salvage old parts like that.

[@VDPEFi]

Awesome work, doing the brakes on my wife's w203 tomorrow, very similar caliper setup as it has the 'sport pack' AMG brakes, love that style of caliper. Also, your family seems lovely, all the best!

[@ElliottAlvis]

They are way cooler looking calipers! Good luck on your brake endeavors!

[@charlie225]

Good morning Elliott, enjoyed the Volvo content, ur a punny guy!😁

[@ElliottAlvis]

Good morning! Thank you Charles!

[@dennismiller2385]

I think your video's are great. Laid back attitude. Real "oops's". And your shout out to Karl Brembo. I think you've gotten way better content with the Volvo than you'd have ever had with the Z4!

[@patrikjeppsson7555]

I do like your videos👍 Patrik from Sweden

[@Parknest]

I've done this job on my 2003 XC90. I only did the front ones recently. I also had to replace a rear caliper when I did the rears.

[@dennismiller2385]

Way to go Uncle Glen.

[@hondaatcfreak420]

Seeing you wrench with your uncle makes miss the uncle that got me in to cars Cancer took away the guy that gave me a hobby to kinda keep me out of trouble 😂

[@ElliottAlvis]

Sorry for your loss man. But cars are a great hobby if you have the patience and money for them! lol

[@hondaatcfreak420]

@@ElliottAlvis I'm shock you are still messing with this Volvo good luck with it. I bail on my Volvo when It came to computer stuff parted it out made more then what I got it for 😂

[@michaelpfaff6009]

As usual, I took a "break" from my work to watch this "brake" video. However, I had to "break" away from it until after work. This video was so full of puns and good advice such as: "Lube the backside;" "Spring time;" "It's a good start;" "There's lots of jacking on this video!" I think you have to do a family vacation video. You would be the perfect replacement for Clark Griswold! You could call it the "Motory Notary Family Vacation." You already have the wagon. Just stick some fake wood paneling on the sides and you're ready! Thanks for providing such excellent content! Keep it coming!!!

[@ElliottAlvis]

Haha, excellent brake puns Michael! I appreciate you taking a "break" from work to watch the video, and for picking it back up later!

[@roheetpatel8378]

In my 8 years of owning my S60R I put 60k on and only only changes the brakes once and they still had lots of disc left. The collar sleeve is done well done. I feel your frustration on that.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Cats in space! My favorite shirt, Elliott!

[@alexandrecouture2462]

Fun video! This Volvo will pay itself in KZbin content!

[@ElliottAlvis]

Sure hoping so! lol. Thanks Alexandre!

[@cvnis957]

Uncle Glenn is great for the channel

[@ElliottAlvis]

He's awesome isn't he?

[@roadwarrior8213]

I was recently watching a Junkyard Digs video, and he brought to my attention something I had never thought of before. He was explaining that for the best results, you have to break in you're brake pads, I guess each manufacturer of brake pads puts the necessary, steps to break them in on the box, basically 3 hard stops from 20 mph, and then like 4 hard stops from 40 mph? I guess each has their own procedures but it's something to consider, I guess it maximizes material transfer between pads and rotor

[@Mario12342010]

Man I love the wholesome vives on this whole video

[@ElliottAlvis]

Thanks! It's all of that good, family fun lol

[@billpar]

you are so blessed to have your uncle Glen who is a quality individual , God Bless Him in Jesus Name

[@Sonny_V]

The Long Awaited Return...and Your Daughter & Uncle Glen Steal the Show!

[@ElliottAlvis]

As usual!

[@ABritInNY]

Oh I know the struggle alright. Owned my xc70 for over 6 years and after that experience I vowed to only ever lease from then on 😉

[@gcrauwels941]

I've found it's a good idea to do several hard stops from 45-60 to seat everything properly.

[@ElliottAlvis]

I like that strategy!

[@iansanderson]

Pro-tips: You should always replace the spring clips when replacing pads on Brembos; It’s a good idea to clean up a rusty hub with a wire wheel and apply a thin layer of waterproof grease or anti-seize; always good to turn in the parking brake adjuster a few clicks before removing the rear rotor,then re-adjust after install

[@markmowbray1769]

How many times have I put everything back together to find a bit I missed off…….many. New wheels and tyres going on my CL today, let’s see what I forget to put back? Great video.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

The bravest daughter on KZbin!

[@AZACKAL]

Also man your lucky how easy the rear brake rotors came off! They often rust at the brake cable and also if the rotor is to worn inside from shoe wear the rotor can be a royal pain to remove. My v70R i banged on the back of the rotor for like an hour and it still didn't break free i said forget it lol still seized to this day but im about to weld a bracket to a bottle jack and come back with new rotors and shoes before i take it on the road manual swapped. hopefully it works

[@owenstrawn]

Cool Prius!

[@ElliottAlvis]

lol you know the deal 😉

[@jtland4842]

These series of videos have pretty much convinced me to not get one of these cars despite how much I wanted to before and still kind of want to now.

[@Nimrood79]

so, what was the nightmare with the Volvos brakes? Looked to go extremly smooth.

[@yodaistheone]

Dad jokes coming hard and fast.

[@ElliottAlvis]

As they should! 😉

[@michaeldebrou8767]

Great progress, sweet daughter!

[@alexandermikhailov2481]

The old rotors and pads had a lot of life in them yet. But it was fun to watch how this guy tried to show them as goners to justify the video 😂

[@JeffMiletich]

I changed pads on a Volvo 164 once. I only had to remove the wheel - not the calipers. Rotors were still in great shape- pads had 15-20% left .

[@kcspeed9980]

Just did breaks on my wrx performance pack (has sti brembos stock) one benefit of tracking your car is the break never get that crusty between pad and rotor changes. I love working on rear entry calipers but man if you strip that caliper.

[@ElliottAlvis]

That is a good benefit of tracking the car!

[@clonetrooper576]

i stripped my front one lol. nightmare.

[@Jollish]

Keep an eye on your brake fluid reservoir when doing this, will easily overflow when you push al the piston back in..

[@lesserlogic9977]

Little did I know we both have an uncle Glenn, who is pretty handy mechanically. Mine is a farmer. Car is starting to really come together!

[@suide3275]

Even without your kid there it was obious that you are a dad, with all those dadjokes lol. i have no clue at all about children but she seems extrmely articulate. also love your video's and that you're back again

[@ElliottAlvis]

I am a big fan of Dad jokes for sure. And she is a little smarty-pants thats for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@skynetd-termination98]

Brake parts? Check. Dad puns? Double check! One tip I'd give you is to put some anti-seize paste on the inside of the wheels where they make contact with the rotors. This will make it A LOT easier to get the wheels off later. Looking at the old rotors at the beginning, it looks like someone had done that previously. Enjoy the stopping power!

[@ElliottAlvis]

Thanks as always for taking a "brake" to leave a comment man!

[@attilacsepe4946]

The part you forgot to install on the front is called a silencing shim. The backing plate is the rigid inboard sheet metal, roughly the same size as the rotor, there to keep debris off the inboard side of the rotor.

[@steveturnbull9542]

Should clean the rotor/disc with brake cleaner before fitting caliper to remove transit oil (used to prevent rust in storage).

[@ElliottAlvis]

You're right, that is a good suggestion.

[@E39bestcar]

lol "is froggy scared about these brakes?"

[@ElliottAlvis]

Gotta make sure Froggy was feeling secure! lol

[@glassvial]

I love how kids are just down for whatever. "You wanna go do this potentially unsafe thing?" YEAH! 🤣

[@ElliottAlvis]

lol exactly!

[@davidruffjr6045]

Nice video sir

[@ElliottAlvis]

Thanks David!

[@dbrandon4528]

Excellent choice in pads and rotors. Texar is an OEM supplier

[@ElliottAlvis]

Glad I got the right stuff! I was thinking it might've been off brand.

[@Wetpaperbagcb]

It's nice when you "brake" out the puns....😂

[@ElliottAlvis]

haaaa 😂

[@nstg8]

It's spring time and I won't be able to test the awd, come to Colorado that's typically our snowiest time of year

[@RyansuBike]

Elliot I sure hope your uncle is getting paid for all that work 😀

[@clonetrooper576]

Sometimes all of a sudden the pins get stuck (happened to me) or the bolts get stripped and then im like oh boy maybe these aluminum Brembo calipers SHOULD HAVE HAD STEEL INSERTS FOR THE BOLTS!!!! Yea... R brakejob can sometimes go south quick!! thats the worst thing that happened to me

[@ElliottAlvis]

Oh no! That sounds awful!

[@clonetrooper576]

@@ElliottAlvis I had to buy a whole new rear caliper because the pins were stuck so bad, then I had to get a Helicoil insert into the stripped threads on the front caliper. That was insane. Never wanna take the calipers off ever again

[@TheHienax]

Good to see you back!! I don't think that is a job nightmare... Is better than the new cars that you have to do procedures to put the brake in service mode (that some times needs special computers to do it or a complicate procedure to do it..) Now the car don't have any issues? Are you planning to a respray of it? These v70r manual they are becoming unicorns... soo keep it!!!

[@ElliottAlvis]

I will be respraying the hood and fenders once I get the mechanical issues sorted out!

[@gerardjones7881]

used retainer pins tend to depart on their own, I always get all new hardware. when a pin falls out the second pin rattles loose, then the pads depart and you lose all the brake fluid.

[@jamesemcclure]

it's a good idea to change the brake fluid at the same time if you don't know when it was last changed.

[@fransb8543]

Did you thoroughly clean the hub before mounting the new disc? I like to use a special abrasive bell-shaped, hub cleaner you can put on a power drill, can't beat how evenly it cleans the mating surface.

[@denitipuric1130]

Don’t ever give up

[@ralphlongo1975]

The rotors were so groovy that they would brake dance when you stopped!

[@ElliottAlvis]

Haaa thats the kind of pun I love Ralph!

[@travlincub321]

I swear the logo behind the volvo during the intro looks like the old Kenmore logo

[@ElliottAlvis]

Haha, I guess it kind of does!

[@danielryan007]

I love how this series just makes me feel that much more confident I made the right choice selling my S60R last year lol. Fantastic car for about 30k miles of ownership, then at around 100k miles it turned into a case much like yours. Literally every single issue/maintenance item you're dealing with is what happened to mine, and it just became too much. They're wonderful cars when they're working, but once the issues start, they don't stop and it's NEVER EASY. While my new Forte GT isn't quite as fun/fast, it's not far off and it's got enough to it and more importantly, it's reliable lol.

[@ElliottAlvis]

Haha, glad you can enjoy my pain from a distance Ryan. But I'm also glad you got 30k miles of fun out of yours!