hey guys, stability and brake questions - Land Rovers Only

TLamb · 03-20-2006, 08:58 AM

Hey guys I just relocated to Austin TX and I was first of all going to see if there is anyone on the board in my area and then see if anyone knew any good indie rover mechanics around me. I've got a 97 disco with 122k on there and I've run into a few snags recently. I've been looking through threads trying to diagnose my situation but here goes. I know I need new shocks so I'm about to knock that out but I'm catching all sorts of hell from underneath, at low speeds especially there seems to be a physical knocking from side to side matches with all sorts of thuds and things like that. At higher speeds everything seems fine. Once I hit about 40 mph I'm good to go. From what I've read it could be a number of things, I've seen a few threads concerning bad stabilizer bars but I'm kinda novice when it comes to this stuff. Then yesterday I got in the disco and the brakes went to the floor. I checked my fluid, it was a tad low so I filled it up but it didn't really help. I can give the brakes a pump or two and they stiffen up a but but its pretty scarry driving in traffic. One other thing, when I'm breaking I can really feel the "knocking" I mentioned earlier in the the brake pedal. I appreciate any help I can get. And if anyone knows on someone who can help diagnose my situation in my area I'd be much obliged. I can turn a wrench but I need help picking the bolt. Thanks guys!

roverX · 03-20-2006, 09:15 AM

There are alot of Texas guys on www.myrover.net Soundsl ike your brakes need to be bled to firm up that pedal - while you're in there, completely change out the fluid so it is fresh also. The knocking...are your calipers in good shape? Also, you say you need new shocks...are the bushings bad or worn out? It could be the shocks and their lack of bushings making the noise. Once at higher speeds, there is less "rocking" on them versus stop and go and slower speeds.

But first and foremost, get those brakes checked for safety!!

TLamb · 03-20-2006, 09:49 AM

I never even thought about calipers, I'll pull the wheels off after work and see if I can find anything.

Disco Mike · 03-20-2006, 10:00 AM

Well it is safe to say you have air in your brake lines, so buy at least 3 pints of brake fluid, DOT 4, ans plan on doing a bleed while you are down looking at your brakes. Do you know how to do a gravity barke bleed?
Mike

TLamb · 03-20-2006, 10:02 AM

no I've never done any kind of brake bleed honestly

roverX · 03-20-2006, 10:22 AM

TL - check out this thread on LRR: http://www.lrrforums.com/showthread.php?t=207 Pay attention to post #5 (I think). I will make no further comments except that my pedal went to the floor about 5 miles from the shop....

TLamb · 03-20-2006, 10:28 AM

holy crap

TLamb · 03-20-2006, 05:24 PM

roverx you were right on the money about the calipers. I pulled off my front driver side wheel and everything looked fine (except the inch of grime everywhere, this thing must have started leaking in 97 and nobody ever touched it) then I pulled off the passenger side and sure enough the springs on the caliper were shredded and the rotor and everything were just bouncing around. Can those springs be replaced? I'm fresh out of college with an entry level job and a ton of student loans so I'm allways broke.

roverX · 03-20-2006, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLamb

roverx you were right on the money about the calipers. I pulled off my front driver side wheel and everything looked fine (except the inch of grime everywhere, this thing must have started leaking in 97 and nobody ever touched it) then I pulled off the passenger side and sure enough the springs on the caliper were shredded and the rotor and everything were just bouncing around. Can those springs be replaced? I'm fresh out of college with an entry level job and a ton of student loans so I'm allways broke.

LOL! Sometimes it seems like I will never pay off my grad school loans! I recommend calling Steve at DAP (they are one of the board sponsors) and talk to him about putting together a kit for the front only right now if you are on a budget. I know they sell them for the whole truck but ask him about front only, including calipers. The non-OEM stuff will be fine for right now to get you by until you can afford to get some higher quality stuff. But I think Steve at DAP can get you the best pricing.

How are the back brakes?

TLamb · 03-20-2006, 08:05 PM

well I'll tear into the back brakes tomorrow after work and get back to you, thanks for all the help!

03-20-2006, 08:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
TLamb Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 14 Gallery: 0	hey guys, stability and brake questions Hey guys I just relocated to Austin TX and I was first of all going to see if there is anyone on the board in my area and then see if anyone knew any good indie rover mechanics around me. I've got a 97 disco with 122k on there and I've run into a few snags recently. I've been looking through threads trying to diagnose my situation but here goes. I know I need new shocks so I'm about to knock that out but I'm catching all sorts of hell from underneath, at low speeds especially there seems to be a physical knocking from side to side matches with all sorts of thuds and things like that. At higher speeds everything seems fine. Once I hit about 40 mph I'm good to go. From what I've read it could be a number of things, I've seen a few threads concerning bad stabilizer bars but I'm kinda novice when it comes to this stuff. Then yesterday I got in the disco and the brakes went to the floor. I checked my fluid, it was a tad low so I filled it up but it didn't really help. I can give the brakes a pump or two and they stiffen up a but but its pretty scarry driving in traffic. One other thing, when I'm breaking I can really feel the "knocking" I mentioned earlier in the the brake pedal. I appreciate any help I can get. And if anyone knows on someone who can help diagnose my situation in my area I'd be much obliged. I can turn a wrench but I need help picking the bolt. Thanks guys!

03-20-2006, 09:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
roverX Elephantitis penisitis Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 5,439 Gallery: 0	There are alot of Texas guys on www.myrover.net Soundsl ike your brakes need to be bled to firm up that pedal - while you're in there, completely change out the fluid so it is fresh also. The knocking...are your calipers in good shape? Also, you say you need new shocks...are the bushings bad or worn out? It could be the shocks and their lack of bushings making the noise. Once at higher speeds, there is less "rocking" on them versus stop and go and slower speeds. But first and foremost, get those brakes checked for safety!! __________________ What? Is this where I'm supposed to write some profound statement that boggles the intellect of the genius that you think you are? Why would I waste my time with that when I can be getting free lap dances from your sister AND your girlfriend at the same time?

03-20-2006, 10:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
roverX Elephantitis penisitis Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 5,439 Gallery: 0	TL - check out this thread on LRR: http://www.lrrforums.com/showthread.php?t=207 Pay attention to post #5 (I think). I will make no further comments except that my pedal went to the floor about 5 miles from the shop.... __________________ What? Is this where I'm supposed to write some profound statement that boggles the intellect of the genius that you think you are? Why would I waste my time with that when I can be getting free lap dances from your sister AND your girlfriend at the same time?

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03-20-2006, 09:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
TLamb Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 14 Gallery: 0	I never even thought about calipers, I'll pull the wheels off after work and see if I can find anything.

03-20-2006, 10:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
Disco Mike Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Parker, Colorado Posts: 5,784 Gallery: 0	Well it is safe to say you have air in your brake lines, so buy at least 3 pints of brake fluid, DOT 4, ans plan on doing a bleed while you are down looking at your brakes. Do you know how to do a gravity barke bleed? Mike

03-20-2006, 10:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
TLamb Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 14 Gallery: 0	no I've never done any kind of brake bleed honestly

03-20-2006, 10:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
TLamb Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 14 Gallery: 0	holy crap

03-20-2006, 05:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
TLamb Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 14 Gallery: 0	roverx you were right on the money about the calipers. I pulled off my front driver side wheel and everything looked fine (except the inch of grime everywhere, this thing must have started leaking in 97 and nobody ever touched it) then I pulled off the passenger side and sure enough the springs on the caliper were shredded and the rotor and everything were just bouncing around. Can those springs be replaced? I'm fresh out of college with an entry level job and a ton of student loans so I'm allways broke.

03-20-2006, 08:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
TLamb Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 14 Gallery: 0	well I'll tear into the back brakes tomorrow after work and get back to you, thanks for all the help!

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