swiftnets
26th March 2019, 03:53 PM
Hi everyone,
Quick history, we purchased a 2007 2.7 SE around a year ago, it had done 310 000km and I have found the brakes to be spongy since we purchased it. I didn't know if it was just the way they were, but I definitely wondered whether it was the oil through the pump into the booster issue. I checked in with Land Rover Australia and they confirmed the recall had been performed back in 2009 and after I bled and replaced the brake fluid it seemed to improve the feel so I left it at that.
Fast forward a year and I found it was loosing boost over extended braking, to the point it feels like the engine is off and pressing hard is not stopping the car. It only happened once, but then I was able to work out the pattern that gets the issue to occur and I can avoid it. At this point it only seems to be after braking for an extended time, like gently braking before the lights over about 15 - 20 seconds. Initially there is boost in the brakes so an instant hard brake will easily stop the car, just when the brakes are applied for a little while it only becomes possible with a large right leg.
After it scared my wife (once, her right leg must not be big enough), we took it to Solitare to check on the system, expecting it to be under the recall again as others here on the forum have had to recall their car multiple times.
Solitare have confirmed there is oil in the booster. They also suggested it is unlikely to get approval being covered by the recall due to the age and km of the vehicle.
They have quoted the job, not a small amount, to fix, advising the whole system needs to be replaced with body off.
My questions are
1 - Do those with more experience with Land Rover Australia agree the recall route is unlikey to bear fruit?
2 - Is replacing the parts something a clever person with a mechanic to help could perform?
3 - Is there certain parts that can be replaced easily to get the car to perform while saving to complete the other parts?
My preference here would be to convince LR to cover their design and fix the issue, my 20 year old Pajero can still brake reliably, so should a vehicle half its age.
Otherwise I will consider having a go myself, I might have to call in a few favours though, as I do not have the space or the tools to do anything more than a replacement here and there.
Thanks in advance
Michael
Quick history, we purchased a 2007 2.7 SE around a year ago, it had done 310 000km and I have found the brakes to be spongy since we purchased it. I didn't know if it was just the way they were, but I definitely wondered whether it was the oil through the pump into the booster issue. I checked in with Land Rover Australia and they confirmed the recall had been performed back in 2009 and after I bled and replaced the brake fluid it seemed to improve the feel so I left it at that.
Fast forward a year and I found it was loosing boost over extended braking, to the point it feels like the engine is off and pressing hard is not stopping the car. It only happened once, but then I was able to work out the pattern that gets the issue to occur and I can avoid it. At this point it only seems to be after braking for an extended time, like gently braking before the lights over about 15 - 20 seconds. Initially there is boost in the brakes so an instant hard brake will easily stop the car, just when the brakes are applied for a little while it only becomes possible with a large right leg.
After it scared my wife (once, her right leg must not be big enough), we took it to Solitare to check on the system, expecting it to be under the recall again as others here on the forum have had to recall their car multiple times.
Solitare have confirmed there is oil in the booster. They also suggested it is unlikely to get approval being covered by the recall due to the age and km of the vehicle.
They have quoted the job, not a small amount, to fix, advising the whole system needs to be replaced with body off.
My questions are
1 - Do those with more experience with Land Rover Australia agree the recall route is unlikey to bear fruit?
2 - Is replacing the parts something a clever person with a mechanic to help could perform?
3 - Is there certain parts that can be replaced easily to get the car to perform while saving to complete the other parts?
My preference here would be to convince LR to cover their design and fix the issue, my 20 year old Pajero can still brake reliably, so should a vehicle half its age.
Otherwise I will consider having a go myself, I might have to call in a few favours though, as I do not have the space or the tools to do anything more than a replacement here and there.
Thanks in advance
Michael