Braking Dilemma? - Land Rovers Only

MotoSvetka · 06-19-2008, 11:28 AM

Ello ello guys and gals! Long time lurker, first post

Unfortunately, the post is regarding my 'new to me' 2000 Disco which I purchased last month from a local dealer. Been enjoying the new beast immensely! Clean, beautiful looking, 64k on her engine... all around pretty good for the first month apart from some little issues (cruise control doesn't work). We were told it had new brakes done on it, though I need to look and see if both rear and front were done or only one.

Now fast forward to last evening. Making my way down a nice steep incline (paved road) which ends with an abrupt stop in a residential area with a speed limit of 20MPH, and I'm braking the entire time down the hill going no more than 18MPHs, planning on the stop ahead. Middle of my descent, I feel/hear a deep THUD sound (sry for my poor onomotopoeia). I continue my gradual braking to come to the stop sign, not applying too much brake at all and now going under 10MPH, when again I feel/hear another THUD. The brakes slightly froze up on me for a second and I could clearly feel that I might skid. With very light brake pressure I came to a rolling/California stop at the stop sign. I hesitated to stop all the way, not knowing if the brakes would freeze up on me, and as the coast was clear I carried on my way another block before coming to my home. All seemed well at that point.

I ride motorcycles, and I was well aware that that THUD was my engine kicking down a gear, though it was not smooth as it usually is. Further, I knew that if my engine wasn't going the same speed as my car as I slowed down, I could be in deep you-know-what.

So, my question to anyone who feels so inclined to offer any guidance (much appreciated in advance!)... does this sound like a brake issue, or an engine issue with the gears? I'm no mechanic, so layman's terms would be optimal.

Cheers!

Disco Mike · 06-19-2008, 12:08 PM

Did any warning lights come on?
You might want to do a full brake bleed, old fluid can make the ABS act up.
Mike

MotoSvetka · 06-19-2008, 12:35 PM

Thanks Mike for your quick help! I didn't get any warning light.
So in your opinion, the hard sounding downshifting is probably not the issue? A brake bleed is probably a good idea. I'll look over the previous paperwork and see when that was last done!

Disco Mike · 06-19-2008, 01:08 PM

It is a place to start. Don't go by what old paper work shows, if you can put a couple drops of brake fluid on a white paper towel, if it is all all brown, change it.
Mike

MotoSvetka · 06-19-2008, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

It is a place to start. Don't go by what old paper work shows, if you can put a couple drops of brake fluid on a white paper towel, if it is all all brown, change it.
Mike

Will do that... thx

MotoSvetka · 06-20-2008, 10:14 AM

Well unfortunately I can say that it's a tranny problem. I took the car on a short jaunt today and once again I had the issue: grinding, rough shifting that I've only noticed when applying the brakes (ours is the four speed automatical tranny, btw). Today I thought the car would actually brake down on me, as it shook violently from under the hood as it did a very late downshift into first gear when coming to a stop. Apparently the dealer changed the transmission fluid when they got the car in April, but I'll check it to make sure it looks pink/red. Otherwise no visible leaks under the car.

Alak · 06-20-2008, 08:18 PM

Check to make sure you accually have transmission fluid lol.

If theres thuds and shaking, something is loose. Could be a transmission or motor mount? (Just thinking outloud).

King Buzzo · 06-30-2008, 02:46 PM

Looks like the transmission fliud was toast. Literally black with ALOT of metal flakes. Now, we have documentation from the dealer that says they flushed it, which, they obviously did not. Is there any recourse here? I have serious doubts they did the 140 point inspection after this tranny issue, a screwed up window regulator, dead cruise control, inoperable climate control....

jmrivera · 06-30-2008, 03:20 PM

I would speak to the Service Manager and the Sales Manager together and get them to determine who screwed up more.... Depending on how much of an a$$hole you wnat to be, you may be able to comvince them to fix everything for free, or even a serevely discounted rate... Also, a mention of a call the Better Business Bureau to the Managers may prompt action... At this point you may be screwed without civil litigation, and even then, it may not be worth it...

King Buzzo · 07-03-2008, 09:28 AM

As we speak the service manager is looking into all of the issues. He said he "wants to see if the transmission fluid is black again already with metal flakes". Is there anything that could cause that to happen in under 50 miles? I know he is going to try to prove that the issue is not thier problem. Any feedback is appreciated so I can go in knowing what the possibilities are.

Also, with that much grinding is a new transmission an absolute? I need to know what to push for here...

All your guys help is GREATLY appreciated.

King Buzzo · 07-03-2008, 12:37 PM

UPDATE: The dealer says the tranny oil is black again and this is not a problem. He says it turns dark on this type of transmission. He is saving a little bit for me to look at.

Does this sound accurate or possible?

06-19-2008, 11:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
MotoSvetka Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4 Gallery: 0	Braking Dilemma? Ello ello guys and gals! Long time lurker, first post Unfortunately, the post is regarding my 'new to me' 2000 Disco which I purchased last month from a local dealer. Been enjoying the new beast immensely! Clean, beautiful looking, 64k on her engine... all around pretty good for the first month apart from some little issues (cruise control doesn't work). We were told it had new brakes done on it, though I need to look and see if both rear and front were done or only one. Now fast forward to last evening. Making my way down a nice steep incline (paved road) which ends with an abrupt stop in a residential area with a speed limit of 20MPH, and I'm braking the entire time down the hill going no more than 18MPHs, planning on the stop ahead. Middle of my descent, I feel/hear a deep THUD sound (sry for my poor onomotopoeia). I continue my gradual braking to come to the stop sign, not applying too much brake at all and now going under 10MPH, when again I feel/hear another THUD. The brakes slightly froze up on me for a second and I could clearly feel that I might skid. With very light brake pressure I came to a rolling/California stop at the stop sign. I hesitated to stop all the way, not knowing if the brakes would freeze up on me, and as the coast was clear I carried on my way another block before coming to my home. All seemed well at that point. I ride motorcycles, and I was well aware that that THUD was my engine kicking down a gear, though it was not smooth as it usually is. Further, I knew that if my engine wasn't going the same speed as my car as I slowed down, I could be in deep you-know-what. So, my question to anyone who feels so inclined to offer any guidance (much appreciated in advance!)... does this sound like a brake issue, or an engine issue with the gears? I'm no mechanic, so layman's terms would be optimal. Cheers!

06-30-2008, 03:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
jmrivera Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 231 Gallery: 0	I would speak to the Service Manager and the Sales Manager together and get them to determine who screwed up more.... Depending on how much of an a$$hole you wnat to be, you may be able to comvince them to fix everything for free, or even a serevely discounted rate... Also, a mention of a call the Better Business Bureau to the Managers may prompt action... At this point you may be screwed without civil litigation, and even then, it may not be worth it... __________________ '03 Discovery HSE7 w/ACE and SLS...

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06-19-2008, 12:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
Disco Mike Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Parker, Colorado Posts: 5,455 Gallery: 0	Did any warning lights come on? You might want to do a full brake bleed, old fluid can make the ABS act up. Mike

06-19-2008, 12:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
MotoSvetka Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4 Gallery: 0	Thanks Mike for your quick help! I didn't get any warning light. So in your opinion, the hard sounding downshifting is probably not the issue? A brake bleed is probably a good idea. I'll look over the previous paperwork and see when that was last done!

06-19-2008, 01:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
Disco Mike Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Parker, Colorado Posts: 5,455 Gallery: 0	It is a place to start. Don't go by what old paper work shows, if you can put a couple drops of brake fluid on a white paper towel, if it is all all brown, change it. Mike

06-20-2008, 10:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
MotoSvetka Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4 Gallery: 0	Well unfortunately I can say that it's a tranny problem. I took the car on a short jaunt today and once again I had the issue: grinding, rough shifting that I've only noticed when applying the brakes (ours is the four speed automatical tranny, btw). Today I thought the car would actually brake down on me, as it shook violently from under the hood as it did a very late downshift into first gear when coming to a stop. Apparently the dealer changed the transmission fluid when they got the car in April, but I'll check it to make sure it looks pink/red. Otherwise no visible leaks under the car.

06-20-2008, 08:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
Alak 2002 Discovery II SE Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 352 Gallery: 0	Check to make sure you accually have transmission fluid lol. If theres thuds and shaking, something is loose. Could be a transmission or motor mount? (Just thinking outloud).

06-30-2008, 02:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
King Buzzo Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 9 Gallery: 0	Looks like the transmission fliud was toast. Literally black with ALOT of metal flakes. Now, we have documentation from the dealer that says they flushed it, which, they obviously did not. Is there any recourse here? I have serious doubts they did the 140 point inspection after this tranny issue, a screwed up window regulator, dead cruise control, inoperable climate control....

07-03-2008, 09:28 AM	#10 (permalink)
King Buzzo Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 9 Gallery: 0	As we speak the service manager is looking into all of the issues. He said he "wants to see if the transmission fluid is black again already with metal flakes". Is there anything that could cause that to happen in under 50 miles? I know he is going to try to prove that the issue is not thier problem. Any feedback is appreciated so I can go in knowing what the possibilities are. Also, with that much grinding is a new transmission an absolute? I need to know what to push for here... All your guys help is GREATLY appreciated.

07-03-2008, 12:37 PM	#11 (permalink)
King Buzzo Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 9 Gallery: 0	UPDATE: The dealer says the tranny oil is black again and this is not a problem. He says it turns dark on this type of transmission. He is saving a little bit for me to look at. Does this sound accurate or possible?

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