110 Brakes

[Devans]

Hi guys,

I just drove a 1996 110 and thought the brakes seemed "dead". Are all defender brakes very heavy or do they need replacing?

I thought they'd be pretty good considering they are disks.

thanks,
David

[steveG]

Dead as in hard pedal?
Likely to be a dead brake booster or possibly dodgy vacuum pump. Its common for the boosters to crack near the master cylinder mount bolts.

Steve

[slug_burner]

No the brakes are pretty good if they are functioning correctly. As SteveG said check that the booster is working both the servo and vacuum pump are likely points of failure.

[flagg]

You could also just have a leak in a vacuum line. Follow it from the back of the alternator to where ever it goes. If you have a vacuum operated diff lock (like a maxi-drive) then make sure you there are no leaks in it.

If you turn off the engine, you will gave a few seconds where you will be able to hear the hiss of any leak.

[Kidbeen]

I was going to start a new thread but thought I would search previous ones first. I have a 1995 Defender 130 with a custom made mobile home on the back and has a gross weight of a about 3.1 tonne. Like the person that started this thread my brakes are feeling a bit hard as well. Also like the thread starter, with discs all around, I thought that they would be more responsive.

What can I visually check myself? I am quite sure that the pads are okay as the previous owner kept everything tip top. Maybe it is a boost thingo.

[Simeon]

The generic test for servo operation is to turn off the engine and repeatedly press the brake pedal. You should hear the hiss of the servo and feel its action but after 4-6 pedal presses you will have exhausted the vacuum and the pedal should now be hard and a lot higher. When you get to this stage, hold your foot on the pedal and start the car. The pedal should quickly sink as the vacuum builds and the servo operates.

Any issues with this will mean a suspect servo (or vacuum leak, or a failed vacuum pump).

[Kidbeen]

Does a small crack in the booster let the air escape and prevent the boost function?

[rijidij]

Does a small crack in the booster let the air escape and prevent the boost function?

Yes, look for fine cracks around the master cylinder mounting bolts. They might not be obvious. It only takes a very small crack to affect booster function.

[Kidbeen]

Thanks Rijidig! Went to LR to see about booking it in for replacement. Gave me a rough quote of $550.

[101RRS]

Why would you take a 20yo vehicle to a stealer rather than a brake specialist or a landie independent.

Garry

[Kidbeen]

Why would you take a 20yo vehicle to a stealer rather than a brake specialist or a landie independent.

Garry

Maybe my local 'British Offroad' is an independent operation. When I said LR I meant them. They know this vehicle from the previous owner who was a Land Rover man through and through. One thing he rammed down my neck when I was buying it from him was always take it to a Land Rover place and never to anyone else.