In this video, I show how I replaced the Rear Brake Pads & the Rotors on my Volvo S40 2007. I also show how to make a Piston Tool Adapter to fit with the Volvo Rear Brake Piston. Note: Volvo doesn’t recommend applying any silicone lubricant on guide pins.
But in Canada and some other countries, where there is a lot of snow during the long and cold winters, the conditions are different from the majority of the countries. Up north, there is a lot of salt added on the streets to melt the ice and the snow. That procedure produces saturated salty water on the roads. This water carries the salt into all cracks and openings under the vehicle. Because the salty water and the humidity penetrate between the caliper bushing and the cast aluminum bushing holes, the aluminum oxide appears and creates a compact white powder build-up. This build-up expands and reduces the space in the holes where the bushings are inserted. Because of that, the guide pins are squeezed in the bushings and the calipers can’t move properly. Personally, I apply silicone lubricant only to help the pins to move if the bushings are in process of getting compressed by the aluminum oxide build-up. To fix this recurring problem, first, the caliper bushings must be removed. Next, the aluminum oxide build-up on the surface inside the holes must be eliminated. Once done, the bushings are refitted and they perform properly. The procedure is repeated whenever it is needed.