Thread: Should the brakes on a Disco really "bite" if pushed hard? ...mine don't.

Originally Posted by Young Angus

Well since the road worthy certificate that came with the car not two weeks ago said the brakes were working at 70% and were a pass I'm going to have to ask questions on this one. I just tested them out and tried to lock the brakes up my hardest while going down a hill at 60km/h and they just wouldn't lock up...that's some scary stuff!!!

Brake at 70% would only be a visual check of the pads. meaning they have only worn 25%. Unless the RWC actually took the car for a test drive and applied the brakes then they wouldn't know.
There are a lot of bodgy RWC issued, as favours etc. I think in one of your posts you said the owner insisted on his mechanic.
Maybe you should question the mechanic that did the RWC,a bodgy RWC could cost him his licence if it is proven to the authorities.
Either way the brakes are issue you should address, why put your or other peoples lives at risk of a collision. If you were involved in any accident and knowingly drove the vehicle with faulty brakes you will be in big poo.

Originally Posted by Young Angus

Well since the road worthy certificate that came with the car not two weeks ago said the brakes were working at 70% and were a pass I'm going to have to ask questions on this one. I just tested them out and tried to lock the brakes up my hardest while going down a hill at 60km/h and they just wouldn't lock up...that's some scary stuff!!!

Exact same problem as the 93 we bought this week..Owner realised there was a problem and sent it to the mechanic (again after a RWC was issued within last 2 weeks), and we went to mechanic to take it for a test drive. The booster is being replaced today, but they reckon they did that only 2 weeks ago - so fingers crossed it just means their first replacement was faulty.

The owner we are buying off actually owns a 2nd hand car yard, but this is his wife's drive car for her and the kids that we are buying. Lucky for us though the owner has given us a car from his yard to use while they try and sort this brake problem out for us.

Hi,
my '94 Disco 1 has excellent brakes and they will lock up at the front in an emergency stop.
Suggest you do a wheels off visual inspection of the pads and discs, specifically looking for even wear over the entire disc area and also looking to see if there is a noticable ridge at the edge of each of the discs. You should be able to see how thick each of the pads are, but i can't advise that at what thickness they should be changed.
It's best to get them looked at sooner rather than later. It's not just you that may get hurt if you can't stop in time...
cheers
Greg

Originally Posted by It'sNotWorthComplaining!

Brake at 70% would only be a visual check of the pads. meaning they have only worn 25%. Unless the RWC actually took the car for a test drive and applied the brakes then they wouldn't know.
There are a lot of bodgy RWC issued, as favours etc. I think in one of your posts you said the owner insisted on his mechanic.
Maybe you should question the mechanic that did the RWC,a bodgy RWC could cost him his licence if it is proven to the authorities.
Either way the brakes are issue you should address, why put your or other peoples lives at risk of a collision. If you were involved in any accident and knowingly drove the vehicle with faulty brakes you will be in big poo.

RWC testers in vic now have to have a computer readout of the test results, i think your being stooged! Oh and all they have to do to get past this is plug the computer onto another car and get the reslults from test driving that car, then just put your car rego into the computer.

Originally Posted by Vern

RWC testers in vic now have to have a computer readout of the test results, i think your being stooged! Oh and all they have to do to get past this is plug the computer onto another car and get the reslults from test driving that car, then just put your car rego into the computer.

Nah with good practice its simply a flick of the wrist with the machine in both hands

Originally Posted by rovercare

Nah with good practice its simply a flick of the wrist with the machine in both hands

Haha well the car is in with my own trusted and very good mechanic (licensed vehicle tester) today and he's going to test out the brakes and see what the deal is.

Just FYI...

1995 D1, V8 with 35's and DBA slotted rotors would lock up at 80km/h now problems...