Discovery 4 - Park Brake Fail

[JemJames]

Hi All

I can report our recent school holidays road trip to FNQ went well, until we got home. We did a small amount of beach driving and drove through a couple of small creek crossings (maybe 20cms high and 20m long). Got home and stayed put for a few days. Next time I drove the Disco the park brake would not release (I was parked up a steep driveway). I waited an hour and it released and I managed to get home. The Independent Land Rover workshop in our area has quoted $1,600 for a new electric Park Brake plus labor. Having a look on-line this seems to be a not uncommon occurrence. I would appreciate any feedback on the best course of action to take. I have not researched whether a non genuine part is an option. I am reluctant to do this, as we used non genuine for the brake pads and they squeak....

Thanks in advance, Jem

[Tombie]

Start by downloading “Bodsys Brake Bible”
Then service the brakes and adjust before spending any more.

You’ll need tools (as per the BBB) and some suitable grease for the mechanism and some brake cleaner.

[JemJames]

Start by downloading “Bodsys Brake Bible”
Then service the brakes and adjust before spending any more.

You’ll need tools (as per the BBB) and some suitable grease for the mechanism and some brake cleaner.

Thanks for sharing your expertise. Are you thinking this may be a fixable issue? Given it released after a while I thought maybe it was repairable?

[scarry]

Thanks for sharing your expertise. Are you thinking this may be a fixable issue? Given it released after a while I thought maybe it was repairable?

Start with a good clean out and proper adjustment and all maybe good,which is a common fix.

[Tombie]

Yes. May just need servicing and adjustment.

[DazzaTD5]

As others have advised, clean, adjustment may well fix it.
But if its failed internally (stripped plastic gears) then there are kits available, I prolly wouldn't use a Britpart kit though.

Putting in new gears, greasing up, re-sealing, lubing cable, cleaning rear brake assembly, lubing, replacing rear rotors and brake pads (if worn), adjustment, calibrate etc, I charge just over 1K which includes labour. I'm guessing most repairers are going to be round the same cost so quite a bit cheaper than replacement of the complete assembly.

[JemJames]

Thank you all for the advise! I will be much better informed now when dealing with the repairs. Sincerely much appreciated.

[JemJames]

As others have advised, clean, adjustment may well fix it.
But if its failed internally (stripped plastic gears) then there are kits available, I prolly wouldn't use a Britpart kit though.

Putting in new gears, greasing up, re-sealing, lubing cable, cleaning rear brake assembly, lubing, replacing rear rotors and brake pads (if worn), adjustment, calibrate etc, I charge just over 1K which includes labour. I'm guessing most repairers are going to be round the same cost so quite a bit cheaper than replacement of the complete assembly.

Just wondering which kit you would recommend? Thanks

[DazzaTD5]

Just wondering which kit you would recommend? Thanks

At the moment I dont have any definite recommendations as I've been trying a few different brands but none have done any long term testing.

Hopefully someone on AULRO has some good recommendations

[Grahame Roberts]

Have a look on youtube search for LRDRIVE. Full video on how to fix it.


Hi All

I can report our recent school holidays road trip to FNQ went well, until we got home. We did a small amount of beach driving and drove through a couple of small creek crossings (maybe 20cms high and 20m long). Got home and stayed put for a few days. Next time I drove the Disco the park brake would not release (I was parked up a steep driveway). I waited an hour and it released and I managed to get home. The Independent Land Rover workshop in our area has quoted $1,600 for a new electric Park Brake plus labor. Having a look on-line this seems to be a not uncommon occurrence. I would appreciate any feedback on the best course of action to take. I have not researched whether a non genuine part is an option. I am reluctant to do this, as we used non genuine for the brake pads and they squeak....

Thanks in advance, Jem

[Tombie]

Just wondering which kit you would recommend? Thanks

Don’t jump the gun just yet!

If the brake ends of the system are binding (sounds like it), then servicing, lubricating and adjusting should solve the problem.

[PerthDisco]

What a noise [emoji1787] #carsoftiktok #brake #parking #audi #rs3 #carthings #carlover #comedy #laugh #123PandoraME #handbrake #rs3reecep88 (https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSeNMnUKY/)

The pain is not only in LR fraternity

[DazzaTD5]

What a noise [emoji1787] #carsoftiktok #brake #parking #audi #rs3 #carthings #carlover #comedy #laugh #123PandoraME #handbrake #rs3reecep88 (https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSeNMnUKY/)

The pain is not only in LR fraternity

I don't know what the video is as I refuse to use tiktok due to who owns it and controls it.

But BMW as well, I had thought I read somewhere that its a rubbish BMW component.

[PerthDisco]

I don't know what the video is as I refuse to use tiktok due to who owns it and controls it.

But BMW as well, I had thought I read somewhere that its a rubbish BMW component.

This was an Audi and yes my kids send their car tragic Dad these things as I don’t Tik or Tok either.

[JemJames]

Just an update for you all and anyone else that may have this problem:
Authorised LR workshop did a a service on the park brake and no issues since. That screaming noise it had made had me worried it would need a new park brake installed at $2,100. So far so good. They suspect the cause of the problem had been the park brake not being adjusted when the brakes were replaced by someone not familiar with these vehicles.
Thanks All

[Tombie]

Thanks for the update.

That’s usually the failure point on these. Mechanics and workshops not doing their job properly.

When maintained they work brilliantly.

[Ugbootshufler]

Start by downloading “Bodsys Brake Bible”
Then service the brakes and adjust before spending any more.

You’ll need tools (as per the BBB) and some suitable grease for the mechanism and some brake cleaner.

This thread was a great source of information as well as the BBB.

Had the D4 serviced, handbrake locked on for the Mrs... she drove it home and through the brake returning with smoke everywhere.... left me with a bit of a challenge and a decent repair bill once I get it into the shop...

In the end it was a combination of following the BBB for the rear right hand side and cutting one of the cables for the rear left hand side.

[Tombie]

Never assume during a service that they do the brake clean/adjust. Far too many cases of people thinking it was done, and never was.

[eckolsim]

Hi Everyone,

Just wanting to add to the brains trust.

My park brake jammed on in my driveway during a maintenance break. I suspected the worst. The override release cable didn't even work! The tell was the occasional nasty noise when applying the PB before it failed. My saving grace was this video on youtube: I REPAIR EPB MODULE on a Land Rover Discovery 3 / LR3 / RRS for 0$ - YouTube (https://youtu.be/JQY2V8pO39w)

With the vehicle up on ramps I was able to open the lid of the module using a pry bar through the wheel well (long screw driver). Once opened, I only had to back off the threaded shaft slightly. In the video he backed it off the whole way using a long pry bar, all I did was use a small chisel and very small hammer to un-jam it (little taps). After this I re-powered the system and used the park brake switch to release the brake.

My underlying issue was the park brake was not properly adjusted and hadn't been for a while.

A zero dollar fix in situ that could happen by the side of the road if required, but better access if the vehicle is set to off-road "extreme" using GAP IID tool mode or on ramps.
Or maybe that is more about my arm length. Note that most of the work is carried out blind and by feel.

Happy camper here. New disks and park brake pads coming shortly. Get your Bodsy's bible and adjust your PB every 12 months.

Simon