95 300tdi 110 brakes

[Didge]

Hi brains trust,
quick, easy question for you all.
If I stomp hard on the brakes should I expect the front wheels to lock up?
Because there is no way on earthI can lock them, even in the wet and I've replaced most of the major components.
thanks in advance

[micksta1973]

I have the same car and could never do it with 285/75s on, but I could with 235/85s. I then put on slotted front rotors, braided brake lines and EBC green pads. Now I can lock it up with the muddies. Rotors and pads greatly improved stopping power, but I think it was the lines that made the real difference. No more lines bulging, absorbing some of the pressure.

[Red90]

Yes. They should lock up. What pads are you using? Did you use all OEM parts? Have you checked vacuum levels?

[rick130]

How new is the booster didge?

Despite having braided lines, new booster, several types of pads and slotted rotors it was always a struggle to get the old girl past the brake test at rego time.

255/85's didn't help.

It just required more oomph on the middle pedal than the RMS specs allows, yet it stopped really well.

[Didge]

Many thanks gents, I had a sneaking suspicion I should be able to do so and I also have a workmate with a 96 Disco 1 who can't lock his wheels either, so we were putting it down to "character".
I've used all OEM parts and about 60,000kms ago changed the vacuum servo and from memory the vacuum pump that sits in the side of the block. Given that I've had a few close calls of late I better check out your suggestions - the brake lines and the vacuum. Will let you know how I go.
cheers Gerald

[Didge]

Cheers Rick - nice write up on that D90 in the loaded mag - The booster is about 9 years old but I've only done about 60,000 kms in all that time.

[rick130]

Cheers Rick - nice write up on that D90 in the loaded mag - The booster is about 9 years old but I've only done about 60,000 kms in all that time.

I'm not responsible for that article, but I'll pass on the
Steane and David are doing a great job.

The boosters can micro crack around the M/C flange and flex.

It really knocks the pedal effort through the roof, along with a longer pedal.
Aftermarket boosters are junk, you need to stick with a TRW.

Get someone to really push the pedal hard and watch around the M/C for any flex or movement.

I never got around to it, but I wanted to see if a Disco twin diaphragm booster can be installed.
I started looking at an F250 twin diaphragm as I had one and that's what was used on the Perentie 6x6 but it was going to be too hard.

[mattims]

Also doesn't take very much oil/brake fluid leaking onto the disc/pads before they will lose alot of stopping power.

If you can get the brakes hot (either a few stops from speed, or dragging the brake pedal a little whilst driving) and then try, if it is better I would suggest you have some oil problems (as the heat burns of some of the oil, certainly doesnt fix it completely though).

[Didge]

Will try your suggestions gents (many thanks) but also need to sort out a vibration coming from I think the front propshaft

[rick79]

Conversion to a disco1 twin diaphragm booster did wonders for my brakes