Thread: crappy Defender brakes

Originally Posted by wally

I'm looking for some opinions on a brake issue. The brakes on my Tdi 130 have always been pretty crappy. It doesn't pull up as well as it should and this is especially noticeable with a load on or when towing. The pedal gets to a certain point and then feels quite hard. You'd never lock up the brakes no matter how hard you stood on the pedal. After being told the discs were glazed, I replaced two disc rotors and had the other two machined. It made no difference. I need to have some idea of what the cause is before I spend any more money on it. Any ideas?

Ok well
I would say check you Vacum pump. This might be going. My 90 was the same could not get it to lock up . But then found the vacum was going. Replaced the vacum and now has great brakes

Or even when was the last time you bleed the brakes or changed the brake fluid
Ali

brakes are pretty simple on a rover.
like above check vac pump, then check booster.
any brake place should be able to service the defender brake system.
david

Well as i have said many times before
In mechanical terms a Land Rover is only one step up from a Lawn Mower

yep, booster and vac pump are good places to start.
Actually, the lines between is a better place to start, make sure there are no vacuum leaks.
FWIW had the tyres chirping big time a week or so back when a neighbour tried to commit suicide by doing a 'U' turn on his ag bike in front of me without looking.

Easy way to check if the booster is operating:

With the engine off, pump the brake pedal a few times to use up the vacuum in the lines. Then hold moderate pressure on the brake pedal (don't stand on it, just firm pressure) and start the engine. As the vacuum pump does it's thing you should feel the brake pedal drop away about 10 - 15mm within the first 5 seconds. If it doesn't do that, then you have a problem with either the booster, vacuum pump or a leak in the vacuum line.

Paul

Originally Posted by Defender200Tdi

Easy way to check if the booster is operating:

With the engine off, pump the brake pedal a few times to use up the vacuum in the lines. Then hold moderate pressure on the brake pedal (don't stand on it, just firm pressure) and start the engine. As the vacuum pump does it's thing you should feel the brake pedal drop away about 10 - 15mm within the first 5 seconds. If it doesn't do that, then you have a problem with either the booster, vacuum pump or a leak in the vacuum line.

Paul

Ahh but that can also be the servo and not just the Vacum pump

The way to see if the vacum pump is on its way is to drive and use the brake . once and then again and again , as if you were in traffic. If the brakes get worse and worse each time you use them in then the vacum is going as it can't keep up.

Originally Posted by Reads90

Ahh but that can also be the servo and not just the Vacum pump

Isn't that what I said?

If it doesn't do that, then you have a problem with either the booster (aka servo), vacuum pump or a leak in the vacuum line.

Originally Posted by Defender200Tdi

Isn't that what I said?

D'OH sorry
Just because i am called read does not mean i can