Thread: My brakes suck...

Sounds like your brake booster diaphram has a leak.
You should look at getting a reconditioned or good second hand one. I have heard that the booster off other LR models will fit but you will have to research that.

Originally Posted by Deskel

Hi all,

Having a drama with the brakes on my '86 3.5 County.

I'm losing vacuum from the brake box and I can hear it sucking from just above where the pedal enters the box, when I depress the pedal any distance. I've checked all points external to the vacuum assist assembly and they're fine.

I'm thinking that a part failure within the brake box is causing this. Any advice as to the likely cause of the loss of vacuum pressure and how to rectify it (parts etc) would be greatly appreciated.

Derek

where are you ?

Originally Posted by wovenrovings

Sounds like your brake booster diaphram has a leak.
You should look at getting a reconditioned or good second hand one. I have heard that the booster off other LR models will fit but you will have to research that.

That was my first thought, however I forgot to mention that if I switch the engine off without depressing the brake pedal and I depress the pedal several minutes later with the engine still off, I can hear air being sucked in until it equalises with atmosperic pressure. Does that still point to the diaphram or to something else?

Derek

clean32, I'm in Airlie Beach, Qld.

Put your foot hard on the brake them start the engine,if it goes done a bit more the booster is working.The booster can by-pass internally or crack were the master cylinder bolts on. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

Put your foot hard on the brake them start the engine,if it goes done a bit more the booster is working.The booster can by-pass internally or crack were the master cylinder bolts on. Pat

Tried that and got no vac assist whatsoever. Hadn't come across this symptom before so thought I'd put it out there to see if anyone had had a similar problem.

In the last week I've replaced the entire ignition system and in the process found that the throttle linkage wasn't travelling far enough to open right up. The 2 mins it took to rectify gave me fully functioning lungs on the old girl and she's found a new set of legs. Thinking that the increased power (and increased vacuum pressure), has put more load on the diaphram and it's given out as a result. Bit the bullet and just spoke to British Off-Road to get a replacement assembly.

Thanks all.

Derek

My defender hasn't had vacuum assist for two years and it stops very well,it even past the NSW pink slip like it.The one leading contender for poor brakes is the pads,almost all are too hard,get originals or the aftermarket ones and you will be OK.I had a set that weren't worn after three years,they didn't stop either. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

I had a set that weren't worn after three years,they didn't stop either. Pat

Mine have now lasted around 300,000km over about 15 years - now about 10% worn - and they stop perfectly well. It all depends on how you drive, but unless you are doing a lot of mountain driving or a very high mileage, I would expect any pads to last three years.

John

I was living in Sydney.Three years is a long time in the city. Pat