Park brake screaming!

[pprass]

From time to time when engaging the park brake something under the car would just go in screaming mode and then "park brake" fault would appear. Then fine for a few days.
Today - it stopped wanting to disingage at all after the sceeaming fit.
Towed away - again!
Any ideas if it just an adjustment issue or part replacement?

[PerthDisco]

Much written on this if you do a search.

Normally only an adjustment issue if you catch on first scream. Can be more fatal if left to go on as unit is telling you it’s out of adjustment.

Mine did it last Friday out of the blue and when I was on a steep boat ramp while launching a boat!! There was a queue of people waiting. I managed to disengage it after stopping and starting the car and adjusted it over weekend.

I also tried the clean by squirting the hose in the inspection hole which worked well.

[pprass]

Thanks - hope I haven't left it too long. Had a service just 4 weeks ago so wonder if they adjusted the brakes?
Where is the inspection hole you mentioned?

[l00kin4]

Thanks - hope I haven't left it too long.
Where is the inspection hole you mentioned?

You really want Bodsy's brake bible - full procedure covered here: https://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/11748/Bodsys_Brake_Bible_V1_6CompresPicsSmall.pdf

Some info here too with pics : Easy way to clean EPB ? (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/247884-easy-way-clean-epb-2.html)

If you search EPB it is covered in many threads...

David

[PerthDisco]

Thanks - hope I haven't left it too long. Had a service just 4 weeks ago so wonder if they adjusted the brakes?

Unless changing discs or you ask them I don’t believe they do as when it’s working it’s all ok for quite some time.

Use it very sparingly is the best advice.

[Owen]

My mechanic ( Rova Range, Melbourne) does a repair/fix and reset on them, worked well on mine. Yes you have to get it early but it can be opened up and re-set to allow the brakes to be re adjusted.

Good luck or its a new module and they are not cheap.

PS, it does take a few hours so if your mechanic is on the $$$$ side it may be cheaper just to order a new module and replace it yourself (however you still need the computer to do the reset).

[DiscoJeffster]

Unless changing discs or you ask them I don’t believe they do as when it’s working it’s all ok for quite some time.

Use it very sparingly is the best advice.

I find I get the parking brake error when starting the car (rapid beeping sound, and park brake light flashes(I think)). This error indicates that the tension/torque in the cables released beyond acceptable levels while you were away. I find that’s a good time to adjust it and it lasts for about a year until it next starts to indicate an issue.

[banjoship]

You really want Bodsy's brake bible - full procedure covered here: https://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/11748/Bodsys_Brake_Bible_V1_6CompresPicsSmall.pdf

Some info here too with pics : Easy way to clean EPB ? (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/247884-easy-way-clean-epb-2.html)

If you search EPB it is covered in many threads...

David


Very handy info/source thanks

Lee

[Disco-tastic]

You can also manually release the epb if it jams. Saves you getting a tow truck. Just Google it and you should find plenty of videos.

[matti4556]

Its the Disco's way of telling you to adjust the handbrake shoes. Use Bodsys for a guide but its no different to any brake shoe adjustment.
Give it a blow out while you have the wheel off. Dust and dirt in there doesn't help the issue.
If you keep the shoes adjusted then its happy (until they wear out of course), but using the handbrake normally doesn't really wear the shoes.
155K and plenty of brake shoe left.
Matti

[pprass]

...Use it very sparingly is the best advice.

Doesn't that then put pressure on the transmission?

Peter

[pprass]

...PS, it does take a few hours so if your mechanic is on the $$$$ side it may be cheaper just to order a new module and replace it yourself (however you still need the computer to do the reset).
Well this is what happened - the technicians looked at the car yesterday and said that the the EPB was badly adjusted. So they re-adjusted it.
While doing that they noticed that the rear brake pads and discs were very low and needed to be replaced (I knew that from my previous service just 5 weeks ago and had planned to get the brakes done when we returned to PMQ in mid Jan). So I agreed to have the rear pads and discs replaced now as it would not last long - especially towing a 3 tonne van and another 2,000 kms. That was done and then off for a test drive and guess what happened! The EPB started screaming and would not release [bighmmm]
So - a new module ordered and will be fitted today and thankfully under warranty which runs out in a few days [bigsmile]

[PerthDisco]

Doesn't that then put pressure on the transmission?

Peter

Sparingly, as in when you are on a steep hill. Mostly you are on near flat ground and pulling on the handbrake is just a reflex action.

If I can find some kerbing to rest on I won’t set it either.

It’s agreed not to rely on Park on steep hills.

Fortunately Perth is pretty flat.

[PerthDisco]

Well this is what happened - the technicians looked at the car yesterday and said that the the EPB was badly adjusted. So they re-adjusted it.
While doing that they noticed that the rear brake pads and discs were very low and needed to be replaced (I knew that from my previous service just 5 weeks ago and had planned to get the brakes done when we returned to PMQ in mid Jan). So I agreed to have the rear pads and discs replaced now as it would not last long - especially towing a 3 tonne van and another 2,000 kms. That was done and then off for a test drive and guess what happened! The EPB started screaming and would not release [bighmmm]
So - a new module ordered and will be fitted today and thankfully under warranty which runs out in a few days [bigsmile]

Hope they 're-adjusted' it after replacing the rear discs also?

After that there is then a re-bedding process to be followed as per the brake bible.

Thankfully you are in warranty.

[DiscoJeffster]

Hope they 're-adjusted' it after replacing the rear discs also?

After that there is then a re-bedding process to be followed as per the brake bible.

Thankfully you are in warranty.

Yeah. I still think it would be their adjustment attempt but hey ho, it’s not your money so take the new one. Winner!

[Geedublya]

Just to put peoples minds at rest. My 2010 D4 has done over 200K, I use the park brake all the time and have had no issues with it. I have set it using my IID tool so it isn't automatic, I always release it manually before driving off. I do flush out the drums after I drive in mud and whenever I have the rear wheels off and I adjust it every 40-50K. It was getting a little noisy recently and I was overdue an adjustment. A flush out and adjustment and all is quiet again.

My previous 2005 D3 had 300K when I sold it, the park brake was still working but did like to flash when driven over corrugations.

[PerthDisco]

Used mine for first time today since cleaning (with hose) and adjusting over the weekend following the scream and warning bells last Friday. To be honest I've been scared to give it a go thinking that its probably toast now but it worked so silently and perfectly you forget how quiet it is when working properly! Even the slightly mechanical whirring noise you get when it engages is a warning things are getting out of whack.