EBC Brakes for the Volvo S60: Which Parts Fit

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

For the Volvo S60, the right EBC pad depends on which generation you drive. We carry the EBC Redstuff front pad set for the 2001-2005 S60 2.3 Turbo T5 and the EBC Bluestuff NDX front pads for the 2019-and-newer S60 Polestar 2.0T and plug-in hybrid. For the 2014-2018 S60 3.0T AWD, where we do not stock an EBC set, the fitted upgrade we carry is a DBA Street Performance front pad. Match the pad to your model year and engine first, then pick the compound for how you drive.

Which S60 Generation Do You Have?

The S60 name has covered very different cars since 2001, and the front brakes changed with them. A pad that fits a first-generation T5 will not bolt into a third-generation Polestar, and even within one generation the engine and drivetrain can change the caliper and rotor package. That is why every pad we list names the exact years and engine it was matched to.

If your S60 is not on this list, or you have a different engine in one of these years, do not guess. Check the fitment notes on each product page, and browse our full brake pad selection for other options.

EBC Redstuff for the 2001-2005 S60 T5

Redstuff is EBC's premium street pad. EBC describes it as an aramid fiber material enhanced with ceramic particles, with zero steel fiber and no copper, lead or nickel. For an early S60 T5 that sees daily commuting with the occasional hard back-road run, that combination does a few useful things:

• Less dust. EBC rates Redstuff at 60 to 90 percent less dust than semi-metallic pads, which matters on the open-spoke alloy wheels many T5s wear.
• Easier on rotors. With no steel fiber in the mix, EBC says the pad causes very minimal rotor damage, so rotors tend to last longer.
• More bite than a basic replacement pad. EBC lists a friction coefficient of roughly 0.5 for Redstuff.

Redstuff comes with a red brake-in coating so the pads stop safely right after installation, but EBC notes the pad takes about 500 to 1,000 miles to fully bed in. Drive normally during that window and avoid repeated hard stops from high speed until the pads have settled.

EBC positions Redstuff for passenger cars and sedans rather than trucks and SUVs, which puts the S60 squarely in its target. It is also a good choice for an older T5 that is getting fresh rotors, since a pad seated against new, flat rotors beds in cleanly and runs quietly.

EBC Bluestuff NDX for the 2019+ S60 Polestar and Plug-In

The third-generation S60 in Polestar trim and the plug-in hybrid carry a lot of weight and a lot of power, and owners who drive them hard can outrun the stock pad's fade resistance. Bluestuff NDX is EBC's answer: a super-street and entry-level trackday pad.

• High friction. EBC rates the NDX material at 0.52 mu, noticeably more bite than a street pad.
• Heat range. EBC states the pad works from ambient temperature up to 550 C (1000 F), which is what lets it survive track sessions.
• Backing plate bond. The friction material is locked to the steel plate with Nucap NRS hooks, which EBC says raises shear and bond strength by a factor of five and prevents pad separation.
• Quick bed-in. EBC's procedure is 10 stops: 5 from 70 mph down to 20 mph, a cool-down, then 5 from 80 mph down to 20 mph.

Two cautions. First, EBC says Bluestuff needs rotors in nearly dead flat condition; off-flat or ridged rotors can triple the bedding time. If your rotors have a lip or grooves, replace them along with the pads (see our brake rotors). Second, Bluestuff is a performance compound. If your 2019+ S60 only ever commutes, a street pad will be quieter and cheaper to live with. Bluestuff earns its price when you drive the car hard.

The 2014-2018 S60 3.0T AWD: A DBA Alternative

We do not currently stock an EBC front pad matched to the 2014-2018 S60 3.0T AWD, so the fitted upgrade we carry for that car is the DBA Street Performance pad. DBA describes it as a copper-free semi-metallic compound, NSFI certified, built for daily drivers and performance vehicles. Each set gets application-specific NVH shims, slots and chamfers to cut noise and vibration, and the pads are scorched at the factory for strong braking from the start.

A semi-metallic pad generally throws more dust than a ceramic-type street pad, but it rewards you with a firm, consistent pedal and strong high-temperature performance. DBA designs the pad for use with its own performance rotors.

Replacing S60 Front Pads: What to Do at the Same Time

Front pads on an S60 are a manageable job for a home mechanic with a jack, stands and basic hand tools. A few steps separate a good pad job from a noisy one:

1. Inspect the rotors. Measure thickness against the minimum stamped on the rotor or listed in the service manual. Replace rotors that are under minimum, warped, or grooved.
2. Clean and lubricate the slides. Clean the caliper guide pins and pad abutments, then apply high-temperature brake grease to the pins and contact points. Replace worn clips and hardware from our brake hardware kits.
3. Retract the piston carefully. Watch the fluid reservoir as you push the piston back so it does not overflow.
4. Torque to spec. Tighten caliper bolts and wheel nuts to the values in the Volvo factory service information. Do not guess.
5. Check the fluid. Use the brake fluid grade specified in your owner's manual and never mix fluid types.
6. Bed in the pads. Follow the bedding procedure for the compound you chose, as described above.

If the caliper piston will not retract, a slide pin is seized, or the pedal feels soft after the job, stop and inspect the caliper itself. A sticking caliper will cook a new set of pads quickly, and our brake calipers cover that repair.

Recalls Worth Checking on the 2019 S60

A pad upgrade does not fix a software fault. NHTSA recall 20V144000 covered certain 2019-2020 S60 models along with several other Volvo models: due to a software and hardware incompatibility, the automatic emergency braking system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended. The remedy was a free dealer update of the Active Safety Domain Master software. If you own a 2019 or 2020 S60, confirm that this recall was completed by checking your VIN with NHTSA or asking a Volvo dealer.

That recall concerns the collision-avoidance software, not the pads, rotors or calipers, but it is worth confirming before you put a high-friction pad on a car you plan to drive hard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will EBC Redstuff fit my 2010 S60?

The Redstuff set we carry is matched to the 2001-2005 S60 2.3 Turbo T5. Other years and engines can use different pad shapes, so check the fitment on the product page or browse our brake pads for your exact version.

Is Bluestuff NDX too aggressive for daily driving?

It works on the street, and EBC describes it as a fast street pad as well as a trackday pad. But it is built for heat and bite. If your S60 only commutes, a street compound will usually be quieter and easier on the wallet.

Do I need new rotors with new EBC pads?

Not always, but EBC says Bluestuff needs rotors in nearly dead flat condition, and any pad beds in better on a smooth surface. If your rotors are under minimum thickness, grooved or lipped, replace them at the same time.

How long do Redstuff pads take to bed in?

EBC says Redstuff fully beds in over about 500 to 1,000 miles. The red coating on the pad face gives safe braking right after installation while that happens.

Why do you recommend DBA instead of EBC for the 2014-2018 S60 3.0T?

Because it is the fitted upgrade pad we stock for that car. DBA's Street Performance pad is a copper-free semi-metallic compound with noise-reducing shims, and it suits a daily-driven S60 that sees spirited use.

Sources

1. EBC Brakes - Redstuff Ceramic Brake Pads - Redstuff material, dust reduction, rotor wear, friction level and bed-in distance
2. EBC Brakes - Bluestuff NDX Super-Street and Trackday Brake Pads - NDX friction coefficient, temperature range, NRS backing plate, 10-stop bedding and rotor flatness
3. DBA - Street Performance Brake Pads - copper-free semi-metallic compound, NVH shims, scorching and intended use
4. NHTSA - Recalls for the 2019 Volvo S60 - recall 20V144000, automatic emergency braking software remedy