Defender 90 TD5 brakes - newbie question

Hoping you can clear things up with regards to the brakes on the Defender.

Ive fancied a 90 XS for ages, and have bit the bullet and started looking for one. With a few hours to kill on Saturday I took a really tidy 04 plate out for a test drive.

I have to say having never driven one before and hearing the tales I expected it to be sluggish, but it seemed pretty sprightly to me. The dealer I went to was quite rural, but I got out of town down the lanes and got up to 60-65 (on the speedo) and it all seemed quite quiet and civilised, so I dont think I'd have any trouble with my regular dual carriageway and motorway work.

I was expecting the heavy clutch, and got used to it in a mile or so, one thing I found a bit hard to get used to were the brakes. First time I used them I nearly didnt stop, although the brakes on my current car are pretty awesome. By the end of the test drive I was starting to get used to the brakes, and they are definately there if you push enough, but I just wondered if that is normal?

The pedal wasnt unduly hard like a servo was duff or no vacuum, but they did seem to need more effort than I was expecting, just wondered if thats a landrover thing or something to get checked if I was to go ahead as it seemed to be pretty immaculate and drove really well.

i drive a LR every day. whenever i get into a eurobox the first stop is usually a bit abrupt!

They do normally require some consious push, they won't do it for you.

The brakes on my 1999 td5 are every bit as good if not slightly better than the wifes astra. Think about it they have to stop 2 tonnes or there abouts unloaded

Explain your concerns and get the dealer to flush the brake fluid and fit new pads all round. If he wants to sell it he will.
My TD5 brakes are every bit as good as my wife's Volvo T4.

ahh see i never said mine weren't good, mine will out stop most cars, BUT you need to push the pedal, as opposed to it being over assisted by the engine.

boydy1989 said:

i drive a LR every day. whenever i get into a eurobox the first stop is usually a bit abrupt!

They do normally require some consious push, they won't do it for you.

Click to expand...

When driving my mums C3 after my 90 im exactly the same you just need to huff on the brakes

There's a way to up the effect of the servo by a huge amount.
Easy to do but it needs the servo shell to be split.
Anyone interested?
CharlesY

go for it ill be interested to read it if nothing else

I find the brakes on my TD5 very progressive, whereas on an all 'on road' vehicle they tend to be 'sharper'. I think they are built this way as you need to be much more sensitive with the brakes when driving off-road, it's much easier to lock up the wheels when traction is low.
Just a thought.