Thread: Defender Puma Brake Pads

Depends on what thickness your rotors / discs currently are...

Originally Posted by nesjules

The LR Dealer wants about $2200 to change all back and front
Cheers Jules

I'll do it for $1100 supply and fit, hehe

It costs a lot to replace defender disc's as the whole hub has to come off,there's a lot of labour involved.At your K's the rotors shouldn't be worn down but brake wear depends on weather the driver is the last of the late braker's or not. Pat

Based on your 90k full overhaul than you only have 5k to go......to your next overhaul

If you want to PPP another set of pads in for 20-30k than just do it.

I would get a second opinion/quote. A dealer would be the last place I would that work done. A good mom dealer Land Rover mechanic would be a lot cheaper.........if you are half handy with spanners than you may save a whole lot of dollars.

Originally Posted by nesjules

Just wondering if anyone has fitted new brake pads to their Defender without changing the rotors (what I used to call discs). The LR Dealer wants about $2200 to change all back and front and I'm thinking just changing the pads will be OK for another 20 or 30,000 kms. Mine's on 175,000 kms and had a full brake change at 90,000.


Cheers Jules

Only 95,000kms out of a rotor? That is pretty poor IMHO.

Standard rotors are not expensive with pads maybe $500 depending on brand and where purchased, but there is a fair amount of labour.
Not a Puma I know, but mine are at 190,000 plus and still on original rotors and in spec. They could be machined as they are starting to get some ridges, but at $50 a rotor after being removed to machine and around $90 for standard new rotors, I have decided it is time to update to some RDA slotted and dimpled rotors. I Got all 4 rotors for $330 delivered, so possibly cheaper than standard rotors. I would have liked DBA but they are more than double the price of RDA, had them on my RRC. I am reading very good reports about RDA and they are supposed to be Australian made. I ordered all mine on a Monday, for my TD5 Defender, BMW 323i and WK Statesman and all except 1 pair of discs for the Defender and front pads for the Statesman where at my door Tuesday pm. The others mentioned arrived the following Monday from Eastern States. Cost for all 3 sets $1186 delivered (no pads for the Defender as I have at least 2 new sets of pads to trial). So add maybe $200 for pads and I would be doing 3 cars for $1400. OK I have to do the labour and there will be a bit of that I suppose.

DBA may be dearer Craig but they don't warp like the rest. Best value in my opinion and Aussie made.

Boyz BOTH Rda and Dba rotors come from the worlds largest photo copier in asia DONT FOOL YOUR SELVES

I have been reading a lot of reviews on line etc.
The DBA ones I had on the RRC were great and if money was not really an option would maybe go them again or maybe even an uprated Brembo setup. :-)
However there have been a lot of neutral to negative reviews on DBA lately. I have also been led to believe that DBA are no longer made in Australia and their quality has dropped.
The reviews I have been reading on RDA indicate they are as good as DBA, a lot cheaper and are actually made in Australia still. It says on the box made here.
DBA were more than double and nearly 3 times the price and then freight of around $40 a pair depending on what you went.
Easy maths when you are not working full time.
I do agree you get what you pay for, but they have to be better than stock.
Time will tell how the RDA discs go.
They certainly look as good a quality as the DBA ones I got previously, just not as pretty with the polished finish and gold trim.