How to stop the thing.....

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StuRox

Well-Known Member
Posts
1,806
Location
Nr Bath
Well, a good few months ago had a problem with the front brakes, so much so had a knackered pad :eek:, so reluctantly had to go to Halfrauds and get some replacement pads asap as luckily I broke down just next to them....

Don't normally get their stuff, but had no option.

Anyway, all was going well to be honest, till we came to a long steep decline the other day, as with being auto, cannot put into first to let the engine do the breaking for me, as the gearbox just goes into neutral and coasts :rolleyes: Result was half way down the bank thought the brakes were getting less and less, pulled over to find massive amounts of smoke coming from both sides from the brakes, as major heat and brake fade to say the least...I was just driving normally, not towing etc, just trying to stop the 2 tonne brick from going over 20mph down a steep country lane....

So I have searched through the various posts, as now looking for some decent pads - may have been a one off, but I am now conscious it happened, and don’t want that again, as may not be so lucky as to be able to pull in before no brakes!

I do have the standard setup - ie solid discs and abs (1996 XS). The feeling I get from the threads is that it is pointless to upgrade to vented, as the original setup is fine, just need decent pads (which is good news as don't really know how to remove the callipers, bearings etc to change them, but can change pads :D). The EPC 6000 Green stuff come recommended but when I was speaking to a garage they said that the heat they produce I will need vented discs - not sure if this was a ploy for a sale of vented discs too, but it sorta made sense also.

Also, people mention the 'original' pads are certainly up to the job - who makes the original pads...mintex/Ferdo for example???

Any help appreciated.
 
One thing... yes, it is an auto, but you can put it into first to use what engine breaking there is... it is slightly less than a manual, of course, but it's still there and usable :D

Low range is also an option, of course... :)

As for brake pads, I can't offer too much advice I'm afraid, as I tend to use the engine breaking in mine on that type of slope... I always buy EBC though. Not green stuff though, as someone told me they are classed as "uprated brakes" and i'll have to notify my insurance company :eek::eek:

I suspect that's rubbish, and I don't want to steal your thread to start talking about that particular issue... but what little experience I have of EBC in general, they are good.
 
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I did try locking it in first, but again the revs just dropped and started coasting, so I gathered that was just to stop it actually changing up a gear if going up a steep hill and lose momentum...same thing happened in low, as tried it the other day as an experiment, still nothing like as good as an actual manual in first gear......joys of the auto box I suppose....

It seems to keep the gear in for a brief moment, then thinks, pah, no point to this, and you can feel it almost come out of gear and starts to coast, and the revs go back to tickover :rolleyes:
 
Very strange... mine's a 300Tdi auto Disco from 1997 and if I put it in first (high or low range) it'll stay in first and give me engine braking. That's the only way I can safely drive down steep hills off road...

If yours engine brakes for a bit and then knocks itself into neutral, I would guess that something isn't as it should be... someone else please come in and say something here though... i'm no expert!!
 
Great, something else to worry about :rolleyes: Then again, its just trying to save me on fuel :D

Will just try and work out which pads are best and whack em in, and jobs a good one ;) (for now!)
 
is there a guide anywhere to show you how to change the discs? I guess I will need the large Hub spanner too?

Do you need to bleed the brakes once the new discs are fitted, or it is a simple job of take off, fit new, and away you go?

Also, are any better to buy than others and anywhere people would recommend?
 
might be a lot more than £60.00 odd quid that the brakes comes to, and I need to do the brakes anyway....so maybe the gearbox after I have got a few more pennies sorted, as doubt that will be a job I can do....
 
if yu change the discs from solid to vented - yu need to change the calipers as well.
If you are doing that, yu might as well change the flexi pipes.......
 
I thought the callipers would fit with the vented discs - damn, this is getting to be a bit of a 'job' now to say the least. As if the callipers need changing then I def know the brakes will need bleeding which is getting into unknown territory for me now.....which means more expense of taking it to a garage :(

Anyone based near me that could lend a hand for beer tokens (north Somerset area)?
 
vented disks are thicker than solid discs and therefore need calipers that have a larger gap between the two sides.

Plenty of peeps in north Somerset - bound to be one or two that can help.
 
Right, have made my decision, am going to put in a decent set of Lockeed pads in instead of the halfords ones I currently have in, as my discs seem fine, not much wear etc on them to warrant changing them, as as previous threads have said, the original setup is fine, just reckon my pads were naff.

So will see how that fairs, then if that ain't no better, will switch the discs to drilled and grooved, but keep them solid version so I don't need to change my callipers and try the EBC 6000 green pads with them.
 
TBH I have never really had problems with the standard set up,I just get pad and/or discs from paddocks or a local if I happen to be passing.Cant really see the point of upgrading since they are spec'd for offroad and towing anyway.Unless you are doing extreme trialling or constant super heavy towing....and then maybe.Maybe.............
 
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