brake rotors

[Gator81]

Hello everybody,
Got a U.S. spec 2002 Freelander, with 28,000 miles on it. Had it since new. It will be going into dealer service soon to have the front brake rotors replaced for the second time. First time was at about 8,000 miles. The main issue is pulsing and noise due to warped rotors.

I have never seen a vehicle use up brake pads and rotors as fast as this. The current set of pads, with about 20,000 miles on them, are now at the wear limit. The amount of black dust generated is disturbing.

It's all warranty work, of course, so no big cost to me. But I'd like to know if this is a known issue with these cars, and if I should expect it to continue. Or, perhaps, there is a cure. Any ideas?

As far as my own observations go, I was very surprised to discover, when I did a tire rotation at 20,000 miles, that the front wheel lugs required over 140 lbs/ft of torque to remove. I informed the dealer service rep of this, and got raised eyebrows and shrugged shoulders, but no other feedback. Seems like 100 lbs/ft ought to be enough, and excess torque has been known to warp rotors on other vehicles. Other than that, and the rapidly wearing pads, no other observations. Could there be some issue with sticking calipers?

Thanks to all for your time and replies.

[Gator81]

ttt...
What? I am the only Freelander owner with brake issues???

[Disco Mike]

I would suggest you contact Rovers Customer Service line in your area and talk with a service tech, see what they have to say.
Look in your owners manual there should be a number in there.
Mike J.

[HMBFreelander]

Originally Posted by Gator81

ttt...
What? I am the only Freelander owner with brake issues???

Nope. There are a lot of us. The Freelander has the best brakes in its class but you pay for it in brake life. Typical pad life is 12000 to 25000 miles with new rotors every other time. The rotors are soft and the OEM pads make lots of dust.

Some folks have upgraded to aftermarket rotors and pads for better wear. EBCs are the popular ones. I've decided the brakes work so well as designed that I'll stay with the OEM or equivalent parts.

The spec on wheel lug torque is 85 ft-lbs so 140 ft-lbs is what did in your rotors. BTW, your next set of pads probably won't be under warranty. If you are inclined to work on your car, they aren't too hard to do yourself. About an hour's work and $50 - $60 for the pads.

Good luck!

Brian

[Disco Mike]

If you are getting tired of the brake dust, you might consider Kevlar brake pads, they stop quicker and hardily any dust.
Mike J.

[Gator81]

Hey, Brian and Mike, thanks for the feedback!

Originally Posted by HMBFreelander

...with new rotors every other time.

Wow, that can get expensive...

The rotors are soft and the OEM pads make lots of dust.

That certainly fits my experience so far.

As you mentioned, Brian, doing simple service like brakes isn't a big deal, and I expect I will be doing that from now on. One thing I would like to have and have not been able to find so far is a shop or service manual. I have Haynes manuals for my other vehicles, as well as a factory GM service manual for my old Corvette, and there's no substitute for that kind of detailed info. Are you aware of a source for such a manual for the Freelander?

Thanks again for your help!

[rebooTT]

Originally Posted by Gator81

It's all warranty work, of course, so no big cost to me.

How are you swinging that one? '03 Disco doesn't have brakes covered...

[Gator81]

Hey,

The 'Lander is currently leased, although I don't know what diff that makes. We like the car, and I will likely buy it next year when the lease runs out. It came with a 36 mo/ 36K mi warranty, bumper-to-bumper, and I simply hold the dealer to it. Although it has not been stated as such, it has been implied by the dealer that these 'Landers have brake issues. Since my last post, I received a call from my dealer telling me that they have my parts in, and are ready to do the swap-out, at no cost to me (again). While this seems to be simply appropriate and reasonable, I must say I am impressed with LR. The dealer is going to be replacing front rotors for the third time in less than 30K miles, with no arm-twisting from me.

BTW: My dealer calls me every time I take the car in. The guy who calls is the father of the guy who owns the dealership, and he calls up every customer after service, to get the customer's impression about how things went.

I'm an old guy. I've owned vehicles from most makes. I've never had dealer service as good as this.

As much as I may like Ford products, for example, I will never again buy a new Ford, because the dealers are a cabal of crooks. Been there, done that, have the anal scars to prove it.

These LR guys seem to be genuinely committed to making me a lifetime customer, which is the only realistic marketing approach for them. I understand and appreciate that.

However, all that hooey aside, I'm seriously annoyed at the front brakes on this vehicle. My experience indicates that LR understands that the 'Lander has a brake problem, and they are doing everything they can to keep the customers, while actually fixing the problem in a semi-cool, in-the-background sort of way. That's OK, but I'm ready to see the actual improved result...



What's your impression?

[JetJazz]

I was shocked to find that I needed new brakes on my 2002 Freelander at 24,000 miles. I'd like to know what others are doing about this including Land Rover. Looking forward to member suggestions.

JetJazz

[Gator81]

Just got the brakes done on ours, again, last Monday. As noted in above posts, thats the third set. This time, I made a point of asking the service manager if we should just make another appointment for 12 months out, to have it all replaced again (tongue firmly in cheek ). He got the joke, and said that this new set of replacement parts (rotors, flanges, bearings, and some others I've forgotten) are all updated parts with new numbers, specified in a LR service bulletin as warranty replacements for Freelanders like mine or older. Soooo... if I were you, I think I'd go visit my LR dealer and ask about that. And if he says it's BS, then you might consider calling my LR dealer, Land Rover Centerville, in Utah. Ask for Sean.

Oh, I almost forgot. The LR shop cleaned up the wheels after the brake R/R, and now, 2 days later, they are black with brake dust again... after certainly less than 100 miles. This does not make me optimistic...

[JetJazz]

That's great information. My 2002 Feelander is still under warranty. I'm in the Houston area and will discuss this with my dealership.

I'll post the results!

JetJazz

[Gator81]

I checked my most recent repair order, and made note of the info on it which might help you in your discussion with your dealer. I don't know what some of the abbreviations mean, but your dealer will. The phone number for Land Rover Centerville (Utah) is 801-298-5300.

2002 Freelander SE Delivery date: 27SEP02

C/S SHAKES WHEN BRAKING - SOP PARTS IN
CAUSE: HUBS/ROTORS WARPED

REPLACED HUBS, ROTORS, AND BEARINGS AS PER TIB 70/08/04/NAS

14WLR97 2.70 N/C
2 ANR5817 FLANGE ASSY N/C
2 SDB101070 DISC BRAKE F N/C
2 RFC000010 BEARING, WHE N/C

FC: 34
PART#: ANR5817
COUNT: 2
CLAIM TYPE: 01
AUTH CODE: VW*N2

[OnlyMyAlias]

Hey Jet,

I've got an `02 Freelander; also here in Houston. Bought it 3,000 miles ago; now has only 19,000 miles. Already the rotors are worn and I'll probably have to replace. I've not gotten a call-back from Land Rover Houston after they did reply to an email stating that there aren't any "recalls or campaigns regarding the brake system on the Freelander". Have you spoken to someone there about the soft brakes? Are they willing to do anything? I've always thought that pads and rotors are a wear-item and not covered by any warranty.

I'm planning to go to Motorcars Ltd (LR and Jaguar repair specialists) as they seem to be the obvious option in Houston for a lower-priced repair than the dealer. Have you had any experience with them?

OnlyMyAlias

[Gator81]

Hey, Only

Ref my previous post.

REPLACED HUBS, ROTORS, AND BEARINGS AS PER TIB 70/08/04/NAS

I'm not sure what "TIB" stands for... "technical information bulletin" or some such? Whatever it is, my dealer has clearly indicated that LR recognizes that the front brake system on the Freelander has issues. Ask your dealer.