Hard brake pedal

[blindin]

Hi again.
Well, for a while, or in fact, since I had bought my p38 ( gems ) I have known that the brakes weren't quiet right, the pedal is very firm, and you need to push the pedal harder than I should to slow down. I wasn't sure if this was just the system in the car, as it runs a pressure system rather than a booster / servo, which is all I have ever driven. ( it kind of feels like truck air brakes ) or if it was a problem. So I kept driving. I have already replaced the accumulator, as my lights were flashing up on the dash under braking - not now though.
I can hear the pump running and it stops.
It is like there is no assistance at all from it. If I were to pump the brakes with ignition off, the pedal does not change.
Any thoughts?
From what I am digging up, it is normally the accumulator, or pump, but the pump is working.
Thanks Simon

[wayneg]

Are you aware of the Modulator ( master cylinder) issue on gems cars? They can expectedly let go at the wrong time. There is a fix with an upgraded internal part

Please read all P38 owners up to mid 1999(brake modulators) (http://www.rangerovers.net/forum/7-range-rover-mark-ii-p38/15632-please-read-all-p38-owners-up-mid-1999-brake-modulators.html)

[blindin]

I haven't heard of that. That sounds pretty dodgy.
I had heard of a plastic washer to do with the accumulator - it may be this which it was referring to.

[TheTree]

I haven't heard of that. That sounds pretty dodgy.
I had heard of a plastic washer to do with the accumulator - it may be this which it was referring to.

That's it, the same thing. The fix replaces the plastic washers with stainless ones

Steve

[benji]

Mmm. I've had a click in mine since I got it. Brakes are beautiful so didn't think anything of it. ..:confused:

Just recently in hot weather though the brake pedal goes down a few inches before the brakes take up.... Maybe an impending sign or a worn out rubber washer. ...?

Sent from my GT-I9305T using AULRO mobile app

[TheTree]

Mmm. I've had a click in mine since I got it. Brakes are beautiful so didn't think anything of it. ..:confused:

Just recently in hot weather though the brake pedal goes down a few inches before the brakes take up.... Maybe an impending sign or a worn out rubber washer. ...?

Sent from my GT-I9305T using AULRO mobile app

Mate

How long since you have changed your brake fluid?

Steve

[blindin]

I was having a bit of a look at mine today.
3 hard & slow presses on the pedal will start the pump, it runs for 5 seconds, then stops. The softer I press the pedal, the more I need to do to start the pump.
The issue I really have is that I have to press the pedal harder than you would in other vehicles.
I was about to bleed the brakes today, as I know it will be well and truely needed, then I thought I better check to see if there were any funky tricks to it. I didn't even start it after reading the process.
Will get around to it soon.

[TheTree]

I was having a bit of a look at mine today.
3 hard & slow presses on the pedal will start the pump, it runs for 5 seconds, then stops. The softer I press the pedal, the more I need to do to start the pump.
The issue I really have is that I have to press the pedal harder than you would in other vehicles.
I was about to bleed the brakes today, as I know it will be well and truely needed, then I thought I better check to see if there were any funky tricks to it. I didn't even start it after reading the process.
Will get around to it soon.

The pump thing sounds perfectly normal since a softer press will not discharge the accumulator as much.

Also the brake pedal has a much more "European" progressive feel than Jap cars do.

If the pedal is really hard it is more likely to do with the material the pads are made from than the hydraulics

Steve

[blindin]

The pump thing sounds perfectly normal since a softer press will not discharge the accumulator as much.

Also the brake pedal has a much more "European" progressive feel than Jap cars do.

If the pedal is really hard it is more likely to do with the material the pads are made from than the hydraulics

Steve
That's what I was thinking.
Maybe seized calipers, and or old crap pads.

[benji]

I wonder if the caliper pins are siezed? Or maybe a house is starting to go and it's blocked?

Fluid was replaced 6 months ago, flushed 1.5 litres through filtering the lr procedure (not that hard, just involved).

Sent from my GT-I9305T using AULRO mobile app

[poleonpom]

Constricted lines due to worn brake hoses? That may cause the system to pressure up.

[TheTree]

Mmm. I've had a click in mine since I got it. Brakes are beautiful so didn't think anything of it. ..:confused:

Just recently in hot weather though the brake pedal goes down a few inches before the brakes take up.... Maybe an impending sign or a worn out rubber washer. ...?

Sent from my GT-I9305T using AULRO mobile app

Benji

It almost sounds like air in the system but it could be a hose on the way out

Steve