Volvo Repair: Brakes on V70, bump in the road, hardware faults

Question
My ABS requires service warning has been coming on.  Then after I go over a bump in the road the warning goes off.  I have always replaced my brakes pads in the past on my other vechicles, but have never done a volvo.  My car presently has 122K miles, and I have never had the brakes worked on.  When I have the timing belt replace at 80K, I have them check them and they were fine.  Will I need to do anything special to replace may pads.  thanks Mike M

Answer
Your ABS light comes on because of ABS controller faults.  Actual hardware faults could not turn on the light UNLESS the abs system was affected somehow (i.e. sensors, reluctor wheels, etc.).  I assume this is a 1998-2000 V70.  If so then your problem will almost certainly be an ABS module.  It will be an expensive repair if so.  600-900 dollars depending on your equipment and the service facility that replaces it.  The brakes themselves do not require any special attention EXCEPT do not have the rotors cut/resurfaced.  They are not designed for that.  If they are ever resurfaced they will warp almost instantly on first brake application.  Only volvo pads would be recommended for your car.  Just check them every 5-8k miles to make sure the pads aren't too thin.  3-4mm is the point where they need to be changed (2mm is the minimum spec).

James