PRIORITY ONE!!! Safety Issue With Brakes

[01001010]

Vehicles:
Two 1996 Discovery Series I

Both my neighbor and myself are having the same problems with our brakes. When I first got my truck, I noticed that while stepping on the brake peddle, if the truck rode over a bump, it would cause the brake peddle to vibrate and prevent the truck from stopping. That was about a year and a half ago. In the present, I can't come to a complete stop without having a heart attack about not being able to stop because my peddle is vibating vigurously...in other words, EVERYTIME I step on the peddle, my truck becomes a moving death trap!

My ABS light has been on for God knows how long. I know its my fault for letting it get to this point but im fed up with this one problem. My neighbor has a newborn and he's scared to take his family in the truck with him because of the brakes.

I've recently stopped all modifications on the truck and am focusing on repairs and the improvement of current systems. I'll be purchasing an OBDII upgradable code scanner through work on Monday. Before I do, I wanted to know if any of you guys here have had similar problem and what the fix was? A sensor, or the whole ABS system?

Your prompt replies would be GREATLY appreciated and could potentially save 4 lives!

[rmuller]

Thats pretty much normal ABS operation as far as i know... my 97 DI was a lot worse than my DII with it.. I just get used to it and when it happens i quickly reapply the brakes and it goes away...

[LRDisco94]

I have a 94 - my Abs light is on - I have had the same problem- its like a vibrating kinda grinding sound and the pedal doesnt feel like it wants to go down all the way - *if we have the same problem*-

what happened, was one drizzly morning had to step hard on pedal and noticed that my left front locked up - so i checked the abs line and when i took it apart the Plastic casing around the two medal prongs basically was rotten and crumbled - i was like so i just stuffed a but of electrical grease in there and it took a while but i got the two prongs to sit back in the socket - the light still on, but i havent had the pedal problem in awhile *knock on wood* I didnt want to risk doing it to the others left them alone

Maybe this will help

Hopefully there will be some answers

[wade]

On my 97, the problem with the light being on was a relay. It is on the passenger side (in USA) under the glove box.

The light is supposed to stay on until you reach about 6 mph to indicate that the system is working.

Hope that helps.

[Disco Mike]

Oh the joys of owning a Rover and it's ABS system.
I want to throw a bunch of questions at you, maybe we can come up with a game plan.
Lets just talk about yours for now.
Describe the feeling you get in your brake pedal, is it the typical ABS pulsation that you would expect when stopping hard on a slippery surface?
Are your rotors within specks, thickness? Do your brakes squeak alot, are your wheels covered with lots of brake dust, are your rotors heat warped, how long has it been since you changed your brake fluid?
How firm is the brake pedal, does it ever drop to the floor when stopping?
Get back to me.
Mike

[roverX]

Check your calipers for uneven wear and your rotors. They made mine do the same thing. No comments from DiscoMike about my rotors please!

[Disco Mike]

Originally Posted by roverX

Check your calipers for uneven wear and your rotors. They made mine do the same thing. No comments from DiscoMike about my rotors please!

I didn't say a thing!!! HE HE!!
Mike

[01001010]

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

Oh the joys of owning a Rover and it's ABS system.
I want to throw a bunch of questions at you, maybe we can come up with a game plan.
Lets just talk about yours for now.
Describe the feeling you get in your brake pedal, is it the typical ABS pulsation that you would expect when stopping hard on a slippery surface?
Are your rotors within specks, thickness? Do your brakes squeak alot, are your wheels covered with lots of brake dust, are your rotors heat warped, how long has it been since you changed your brake fluid?
How firm is the brake pedal, does it ever drop to the floor when stopping?
Get back to me.
Mike

Ok, in order...

Pulsation? well it varies. Sometimes, I only hear what sounds like a spring being sprung. Other times I have to fight to keep my foot on the pedal becuase the pulsations will want to slide my foot right off.

My rotors have been warped before but that was my mistake after I plowed through a cold mud pit right after a long drive there. THey have been refaced and are thinner than spec.

I dont think ive changed the brake fluid since I've owned the truck (close to two years now)

I sound like a school bus when I do come to stops. They squeek a lot.

My front wheels ARE covered in brake dust but not as much as other trucks ive seen.

I dont think the pedal has ever made it to the floor.

Lol...so what do ya think?

[roverX]

JC...JC...JC...what are we going to do with you?
LR rotors should never be resurfaced. We NEED the thickness to stop! Trust me!
Get new rotors! New pads! Check your calipers thoroughly and replace if need be - no, actually, I suggest replacing them as well since you are already in there. Get rid of that old brake fluid - it's probably been boiled way too many times and dirty!
When you redo the brakes, make sure one of the last things you do is tap the ABS sensors back into place - otherwise your ABS light will still stay on.
Argh...you should do a search on www.lrrforums.com for my brake issues....the caliper literally gave out 5 minutes from the shop and I had NO brakes!

[Bene]

sometimes I'm glad I fucked up trying to wire in a switch for the ABS (I'm now ABS free )


...

[Disco Mike]

Originally Posted by roverX

JC...JC...JC...what are we going to do with you?
LR rotors should never be resurfaced. We NEED the thickness to stop! Trust me!
Get new rotors! New pads! Check your calipers thoroughly and replace if need be - no, actually, I suggest replacing them as well since you are already in there. Get rid of that old brake fluid - it's probably been boiled way too many times and dirty!
When you redo the brakes, make sure one of the last things you do is tap the ABS sensors back into place - otherwise your ABS light will still stay on.
Argh...you should do a search on www.lrrforums.com for my brake issues....the caliper literally gave out 5 minutes from the shop and I had NO brakes!

Your truck is a bucket full of brake problems any of which will drive the system nuts.
You need to listen to RoverX, he speaks from experience.
Also, no cheap pads or rotors, you get what you pay for.
Check out Atlantic British or http://www.dap-inc.com/acc_frm.htm or
http://www.roverconnection.com/ for good brake combiation specials.
Make sure you us extra sound deadening material on the back side of the brake pads to keep the noise down.
Once you have gone and done what has been suggested and the brakes are working properily then go have your codes cleared.
You might pass this on to your neighbor also, probably has many of the same issues.
Mike

[LANDY96]

Check all of you ABS wires. Tap them in a little, and things should help. I had the same problem, just supper touchy ABS. With the light being on. It needs to be fixed!!! I just tapped mine in a little, and the problems are gone. Just a little TLC is all she needs. Don't go neglecting things that are important!

[Disco Mike]

Originally Posted by LANDY96

Check all of you ABS wires. Tap them in a little, and things should help. I had the same problem, just supper touchy ABS. With the light being on. It needs to be fixed!!! I just tapped mine in a little, and the problems are gone. Just a little TLC is all she needs. Don't go neglecting things that are important!

His problem needs more then a wiring harness shake, read his reply, there is no thing going for him when it comes to the condition of his brake sytem. You were lucky on your situation but most Rovers need a little more then a shaking.
Mike

[afirover]

Originally Posted by Bene

sometimes I'm glad I fucked up trying to wire in a switch for the ABS (I'm now ABS free )


...

me 2 wires sensors and light gone HEY MY ABS WORKS GREAT

GOOD LUCK HAVE FUN

[roverX]

Is there anyway I can turn off the ABS light? Everything works fine but the dang light is still on. I refuse to take it to a stealership. Frankly, I don't care if I have ABS or not either. Do I need to take out the bulb? How difficult of a job is that?