D3 brake warning - check pads

[Stu17]

Hi guys
Down in Tassie for a few weeks and this message came on just as we were getting into White Beach last night.
Any idea what timeframe this covers? Had a service before we left SA and there was still a couple of mm when I looked then. Going up to Cradle Mtn from here and then Strahan so will probably need brakes at some point ;-)
Have a good Easter break everyone.
Cheers
Stu

[aew849]

Stu 17,

Spooky, my D3 had the same last Thursday...just after I had headed south for Busselton and the partner was cruising in Perth in it!!

If the sensor is tripped, theres not much material left on pads so Tassie mountains would be scary....since this is post Easter, I hope you made it!!


My D3 just done 55k kms and advice through LR specialist here is that was a good innings!!! Replacing the pads normally means the rotors as well. And there is a wear sensor for front and one for back.

Last night I sorted out the fronts and this cleared the caution...will have a look at the rears tonight just for stamps.

Front Left - this one has the sensor.
After removing the wheel, unbolt the caliper....13mm socket but watch that the sliders don't rotate.
After that disconnect sensor and lift caliper clear....I tied it up out of way with string.
Then large bolts to take caliper carrier off....there are lock tighted in...needed rubber mallet to help loosen.
Rotor has a 6 star grub screw...large allen key works as well.
Replace rotor and reassemble in reverse order. I had a good sized G clamp to help squeeze the cylinders back in the calipers.

Now the bugger - the sensor loom.
The connector is up above the wheel arch liner. I removed the 5 screws and 400 black plugs (centre section of plug is a lock, then the rest of plug comes out easy). Wheel arch trim can be pulled off, starting from rear....makes getting the liner out of way easier. Trim will stay put if you only undo about half.
Don't have to fully remove liner, just drop it down so you can work above it.
Trace the wire to the connector...it was the bottom of a series of wires. There is a very similar connector on its own...its the ABS sensor....useless to you, especially when you waste 5 minutes trying to undo it.....
The sensor plug is locked onto the mounting. Once disconnected I was able to twist it around to see how it worked....and a small screwdriver in there released it without too much drama. Be careful lining up the new plug as the pins can be bent.
Run the cable down to the pads, clipping into the where the old cable was. Refit the liner and push the wheel arch back on...with sharp 'click' noises.
Whack the wheel on and then do other side.

Left wheel took 2 hours and plenty of swearing realising that LR had designed a $%&^ and that I didnt have the alloy key nut.

Right wheel took 21 minutes.....as dinner was on the table.

Was a very filthy job too boot.

ALTERNATIVE
Take it to Justin Cooper in Kingston, SW of Hobart!!!


aew849