Discovery Towing Upgrades?

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A

Alex Threlfall

Guest
Hi All!

I currently have an 1996 (N) Discovery 300TDI, and I was wondering if
there are any upgrades that can be done to improve towing speed and
stability. This landie has also done in excess of 100K miles, does
anything in the sway bar department need replacing after this sort of
milage?

Ta in advance!
--
Alex Threlfall
Cyberprog New Media
www.cyberprog.net
tel - 0870 446 0789
fax - 0870 446 1789
 
so Alex Threlfall was, like...
> Hi All!
>
> I currently have an 1996 (N) Discovery 300TDI, and I was wondering if
> there are any upgrades that can be done to improve towing speed and
> stability. This landie has also done in excess of 100K miles, does
> anything in the sway bar department need replacing after this sort of
> milage?
>
> Ta in advance!

Just had a Jeremy Fearn intercooler and chip upgrade done to my 300. Makes
a useful difference to towing ability.

As to stability - is it unstable at the moment? If not, leave it alone.


--
Rich
==============================
Disco 300 Tdi auto
S2a 88" SW
Tiggrr (V8 trialler)


 
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
> so Alex Threlfall was, like...
> > Hi All!
> >
> > I currently have an 1996 (N) Discovery 300TDI, and I was wondering if
> > there are any upgrades that can be done to improve towing speed and
> > stability. This landie has also done in excess of 100K miles, does
> > anything in the sway bar department need replacing after this sort of
> > milage?
> >
> > Ta in advance!
>
> Just had a Jeremy Fearn intercooler and chip upgrade done to my 300. Makes
> a useful difference to towing ability.
>
> As to stability - is it unstable at the moment? If not, leave it alone.
>
>
>
Yes, slightly when i get over about 55mph with the big genny behind, my
colleagues defender 110 (05 plate) will pull it happily at 70+ without
any issues.

I don't know how much difference it makes, but the brakes have been very
squealy since i had them changed, the guy at the garage said the
calipers weren't in the best of shape, but that it was fine to drive,
are you able to replace part of the calipers? I've seen an piston listed
as a part for the calipers, but a load of new calipers would set me back
a hefty ammount :D
--
Alex Threlfall
Cyberprog New Media
www.cyberprog.net
tel - 0870 446 0789
fax - 0870 446 1789
 
so Alex Threlfall was, like...
> In article <[email protected]>, [email protected]
> says...
>> so Alex Threlfall was, like...
>>> Hi All!
>>>
>>> I currently have an 1996 (N) Discovery 300TDI, and I was wondering
>>> if there are any upgrades that can be done to improve towing speed
>>> and stability. This landie has also done in excess of 100K miles,
>>> does anything in the sway bar department need replacing after this
>>> sort of milage?
>>>
>>> Ta in advance!
>>
>> Just had a Jeremy Fearn intercooler and chip upgrade done to my 300.
>> Makes a useful difference to towing ability.
>>
>> As to stability - is it unstable at the moment? If not, leave it
>> alone.
>>
>>
>>
> Yes, slightly when i get over about 55mph with the big genny behind,
> my colleagues defender 110 (05 plate) will pull it happily at 70+
> without any issues.
>
> I don't know how much difference it makes, but the brakes have been
> very squealy since i had them changed, the guy at the garage said the
> calipers weren't in the best of shape, but that it was fine to drive,
> are you able to replace part of the calipers? I've seen an piston
> listed as a part for the calipers, but a load of new calipers would
> set me back a hefty ammount :D

Unless you are very unlucky, new pistons should do it. Calipers seem to
stay OK, and they should do at the price for a replacement! If stability is
a problem, I would check out the bushes first - anti-roll bars aren't really
a wear-and-tear item.

--
Rich
==============================
Disco 300 Tdi auto
S2a 88" SW
Tiggrr (V8 trialler)


 
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
> so Alex Threlfall was, like...
> > In article <[email protected]>, [email protected]
> > says...
> >> so Alex Threlfall was, like...
> >>> Hi All!
> >>>
> >>> I currently have an 1996 (N) Discovery 300TDI, and I was wondering
> >>> if there are any upgrades that can be done to improve towing speed
> >>> and stability. This landie has also done in excess of 100K miles,
> >>> does anything in the sway bar department need replacing after this
> >>> sort of milage?
> >>>
> >>> Ta in advance!
> >>
> >> Just had a Jeremy Fearn intercooler and chip upgrade done to my 300.
> >> Makes a useful difference to towing ability.
> >>
> >> As to stability - is it unstable at the moment? If not, leave it
> >> alone.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> > Yes, slightly when i get over about 55mph with the big genny behind,
> > my colleagues defender 110 (05 plate) will pull it happily at 70+
> > without any issues.
> >
> > I don't know how much difference it makes, but the brakes have been
> > very squealy since i had them changed, the guy at the garage said the
> > calipers weren't in the best of shape, but that it was fine to drive,
> > are you able to replace part of the calipers? I've seen an piston
> > listed as a part for the calipers, but a load of new calipers would
> > set me back a hefty ammount :D
>
> Unless you are very unlucky, new pistons should do it. Calipers seem to
> stay OK, and they should do at the price for a replacement! If stability is
> a problem, I would check out the bushes first - anti-roll bars aren't really
> a wear-and-tear item.
>
>
Gotcha, thanks. Any idea how long it would take someone to change the
pistons? Got royally ripped off when i got the brakes done last time
(took them 5.5 hours to change the discs+pads on all 4 wheels) hence why
I didn't want to get them to change the calipers!
Oh, and ditto with the bushes :) And do I go for OEM ones or Polybush?
--
Alex Threlfall
Cyberprog New Media
www.cyberprog.net
tel - 0870 446 0789
fax - 0870 446 1789
 
Alex Threlfall wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
>
>>so Alex Threlfall was, like...
>>
>>>Hi All!
>>>
>>>I currently have an 1996 (N) Discovery 300TDI, and I was wondering if
>>>there are any upgrades that can be done to improve towing speed and
>>>stability. This landie has also done in excess of 100K miles, does
>>>anything in the sway bar department need replacing after this sort of
>>>milage?
>>>
>>>Ta in advance!
>>
>>Just had a Jeremy Fearn intercooler and chip upgrade done to my 300. Makes
>>a useful difference to towing ability.
>>
>>As to stability - is it unstable at the moment? If not, leave it alone.
>>
>>
>>
>
> Yes, slightly when i get over about 55mph with the big genny behind, my
> colleagues defender 110 (05 plate) will pull it happily at 70+ without
> any issues.
>
> I don't know how much difference it makes, but the brakes have been very
> squealy since i had them changed, the guy at the garage said the
> calipers weren't in the best of shape, but that it was fine to drive,
> are you able to replace part of the calipers? I've seen an piston listed
> as a part for the calipers, but a load of new calipers would set me back
> a hefty ammount :D

Brake squeal may be something far more simple, like the garage forgot to
put the anti-squeal springs back in or forgot to put some copper grease
on the back of the pads. I'd check that first before forking out for
pistons anyway.

As the legal limit for towing is 60mph even on motorays maybe a bit of
instability at 55 will keep your speed down a bit ... and the rest of us
safe ;-))


--
Regards

Steve G
 
so Alex Threlfall was, like...
> In article <[email protected]>, [email protected]
> says...
>> so Alex Threlfall was, like...
>>> In article <[email protected]>, [email protected]
>>> says...
>>>> so Alex Threlfall was, like...
>>>>> Hi All!
>>>>>
>>>>> I currently have an 1996 (N) Discovery 300TDI, and I was wondering
>>>>> if there are any upgrades that can be done to improve towing speed
>>>>> and stability. This landie has also done in excess of 100K miles,
>>>>> does anything in the sway bar department need replacing after this
>>>>> sort of milage?
>>>>>
>>>>> Ta in advance!
>>>>
>>>> Just had a Jeremy Fearn intercooler and chip upgrade done to my
>>>> 300. Makes a useful difference to towing ability.
>>>>
>>>> As to stability - is it unstable at the moment? If not, leave it
>>>> alone.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Yes, slightly when i get over about 55mph with the big genny behind,
>>> my colleagues defender 110 (05 plate) will pull it happily at 70+
>>> without any issues.
>>>
>>> I don't know how much difference it makes, but the brakes have been
>>> very squealy since i had them changed, the guy at the garage said
>>> the calipers weren't in the best of shape, but that it was fine to
>>> drive, are you able to replace part of the calipers? I've seen an
>>> piston listed as a part for the calipers, but a load of new
>>> calipers would set me back a hefty ammount :D
>>
>> Unless you are very unlucky, new pistons should do it. Calipers
>> seem to stay OK, and they should do at the price for a replacement!
>> If stability is a problem, I would check out the bushes first -
>> anti-roll bars aren't really a wear-and-tear item.
>>
>>
> Gotcha, thanks. Any idea how long it would take someone to change the
> pistons? Got royally ripped off when i got the brakes done last time
> (took them 5.5 hours to change the discs+pads on all 4 wheels) hence
> why I didn't want to get them to change the calipers!
> Oh, and ditto with the bushes :) And do I go for OEM ones or Polybush?

Actually, 5 hours isn't bad to do all that - it's better than I could do.
It's the hourly rate they charge that makes you think you've been ripped
off. UKP80 an hour is common.

Changing the pistons is pretty much a DIY job for a moderately experienced
home mechanic, or a mate with said experience who doesn't mind giving a
hand. Great care, great cleanliness, and allow plenty of time. There's
nothing mysterious about it. And your time is free!

Big debate on OEM/Polybush. No experience, so I'll leave that to someone
else.


--
Rich
==============================
Disco 300 Tdi auto
S2a 88" SW
Tiggrr (V8 trialler)


 
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
> Actually, 5 hours isn't bad to do all that - it's better than I could do.
> It's the hourly rate they charge that makes you think you've been ripped
> off. UKP80 an hour is common.
>
Wasn't that bad actually, £175 in all...

> Changing the pistons is pretty much a DIY job for a moderately experienced
> home mechanic, or a mate with said experience who doesn't mind giving a
> hand. Great care, great cleanliness, and allow plenty of time. There's
> nothing mysterious about it. And your time is free!

Yes, need to get some experience doing this sort of thing :) Needs the
timing belt changed and servicing soon, though i'm hoping for a bit of a
skills swap with an company who do 4x4 services & spares :)
>
> Big debate on OEM/Polybush. No experience, so I'll leave that to someone
> else.
>
>
Fair enough, thanks for your advice!
--
Alex Threlfall
Cyberprog New Media
www.cyberprog.net
tel - 0870 446 0789
fax - 0870 446 1789
 
In article <[email protected]>, _@_._
says...
> Alex Threlfall wrote:
> > In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
> >
> >>so Alex Threlfall was, like...
> >>
> >>>Hi All!
> >>>
> >>>I currently have an 1996 (N) Discovery 300TDI, and I was wondering if
> >>>there are any upgrades that can be done to improve towing speed and
> >>>stability. This landie has also done in excess of 100K miles, does
> >>>anything in the sway bar department need replacing after this sort of
> >>>milage?
> >>>
> >>>Ta in advance!
> >>
> >>Just had a Jeremy Fearn intercooler and chip upgrade done to my 300. Makes
> >>a useful difference to towing ability.
> >>
> >>As to stability - is it unstable at the moment? If not, leave it alone.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> > Yes, slightly when i get over about 55mph with the big genny behind, my
> > colleagues defender 110 (05 plate) will pull it happily at 70+ without
> > any issues.
> >
> > I don't know how much difference it makes, but the brakes have been very
> > squealy since i had them changed, the guy at the garage said the
> > calipers weren't in the best of shape, but that it was fine to drive,
> > are you able to replace part of the calipers? I've seen an piston listed
> > as a part for the calipers, but a load of new calipers would set me back
> > a hefty ammount :D
>
> Brake squeal may be something far more simple, like the garage forgot to
> put the anti-squeal springs back in or forgot to put some copper grease
> on the back of the pads. I'd check that first before forking out for
> pistons anyway.
>
> As the legal limit for towing is 60mph even on motorays maybe a bit of
> instability at 55 will keep your speed down a bit ... and the rest of us
> safe ;-))
>
>
>
Yup, but it would be nice to do 60 without the instability :) Time is
money unfortunatley!
--
Alex Threlfall
Cyberprog New Media
www.cyberprog.net
tel - 0870 446 0789
fax - 0870 446 1789
 
so Alex Threlfall was, like...

> > Yes, need to get some experience doing this sort of thing :) Needs the
> timing belt changed and servicing soon, though i'm hoping for a bit
> of a skills swap with an company who do 4x4 services & spares :)

Hmmm. Cambelt not in the same league as brake pistons! Mind, it's not a
massive job if you have it done - people recently have reported around the
150 quid mark.

--
Rich
==============================
Disco 300 Tdi auto
S2a 88" SW
Tiggrr (V8 trialler)


 
Hi Alex,
given what you've said about your brake pistons, and with
experience of towing heavy loads myself, the first thing I would do in
your situation would be to fitted vented discs.

Zeus sell a vented disc kit that has the spacers etc you need. They
also have the stainless steel pistons that are much better than the
original LR plated pistons.

I suspect that comparing Defender and Disco towing is a bit unfair as
the Defender has a 10 inch longer wheel base. I prefer very heavy
towing, especially if distance and time are an issue, in a Defender as
it is much more stable due to the extra length.It also has vented
discs as standard.

Cheers

Phillip

On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 19:41:54 GMT, Alex Threlfall
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Hi All!
>
>I currently have an 1996 (N) Discovery 300TDI, and I was wondering if
>there are any upgrades that can be done to improve towing speed and
>stability. This landie has also done in excess of 100K miles, does
>anything in the sway bar department need replacing after this sort of
>milage?
>
>Ta in advance!

 
"Alex Threlfall" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I don't know how much difference it makes, but the brakes have been very
> squealy since i had them changed, the guy at the garage said the
> calipers weren't in the best of shape, but that it was fine to drive,
> are you able to replace part of the calipers? I've seen an piston listed
> as a part for the calipers, but a load of new calipers would set me back
> a hefty ammount :D

Crustations covering our rear calipers forced the pads through some odd
positions causing squeal.

Solution - Wheel off and pads removed ... ten minutes with a sharp
screwdrive to remove said crustations.

They were getting that bad that you could hardly see daylight between the
edge of the disc and the caliper hence the squeal.

Ours is a circa 1990 Rangie if it helps - same but different!


Lee D
--

www.lrproject.com

Workshop photos from Landrover repairs
& other such tinkerings.
Home of Percy the Jag powered Landrover


 
Alex Threlfall wrote:

If you do find that it's your calipers that are not up to scratch then
I'd be wary about fitting new pistons. Having done this on a few
occasions it's a bit of a faff and I at least went through more than
one seal kit getting the wiper seal in properly. For the cost of the
parts per caliper for a 4 pot caliper for me, the 4 pistons and 2 seal
kits + 2 hours labour or thereabouts, getting the pistons out can be a
nightmare, requiring compressed air to blow them out, sandblasting the
caliper and then repainting them with caliper paint - I'd have been
cheaper buying new/recon ones from Beamends if I had to pay for the
labour. It's not just the cost of the pistons is what I'm saying!

Regards

William MacLeod

 
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> Hi Alex,
> given what you've said about your brake pistons, and with
> experience of towing heavy loads myself, the first thing I would do in
> your situation would be to fitted vented discs.
>
> Zeus sell a vented disc kit that has the spacers etc you need. They
> also have the stainless steel pistons that are much better than the
> original LR plated pistons.
>
> I suspect that comparing Defender and Disco towing is a bit unfair as
> the Defender has a 10 inch longer wheel base. I prefer very heavy
> towing, especially if distance and time are an issue, in a Defender as
> it is much more stable due to the extra length.It also has vented
> discs as standard.
>
> Cheers
>
> Phillip
>
> On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 19:41:54 GMT, Alex Threlfall
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >Hi All!
> >
> >I currently have an 1996 (N) Discovery 300TDI, and I was wondering if
> >there are any upgrades that can be done to improve towing speed and
> >stability. This landie has also done in excess of 100K miles, does
> >anything in the sway bar department need replacing after this sort of
> >milage?
> >
> >Ta in advance!
>
>
I see, what benefits do you get from vented discs?
--
Alex Threlfall
Cyberprog New Media
www.cyberprog.net
tel - 0870 446 0789
fax - 0870 446 1789
 
Hi Alex,
you stop better as the vented discs run cooler, or to put
another way, take more work before you get brake fade. This is of
interest when towing as the extra weight you are towing, especially in
traffic can heat up the discs much quicker.

I've fitted them to people who tow horse box trailers, and the effect
is quite dramatic when towing a trailer filled with 2 large horses.

Cheers

Phillip

On Sat, 10 Sep 2005 08:19:41 GMT, Alex Threlfall
<[email protected]> wrote:

>In article <[email protected]>,
>[email protected] says...
>> Hi Alex,
>> given what you've said about your brake pistons, and with
>> experience of towing heavy loads myself, the first thing I would do in
>> your situation would be to fitted vented discs.
>>
>> Zeus sell a vented disc kit that has the spacers etc you need. They
>> also have the stainless steel pistons that are much better than the
>> original LR plated pistons.
>>
>> I suspect that comparing Defender and Disco towing is a bit unfair as
>> the Defender has a 10 inch longer wheel base. I prefer very heavy
>> towing, especially if distance and time are an issue, in a Defender as
>> it is much more stable due to the extra length.It also has vented
>> discs as standard.
>>
>> Cheers
>>
>> Phillip
>>
>> On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 19:41:54 GMT, Alex Threlfall
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> >Hi All!
>> >
>> >I currently have an 1996 (N) Discovery 300TDI, and I was wondering if
>> >there are any upgrades that can be done to improve towing speed and
>> >stability. This landie has also done in excess of 100K miles, does
>> >anything in the sway bar department need replacing after this sort of
>> >milage?
>> >
>> >Ta in advance!
>>
>>
>I see, what benefits do you get from vented discs?

 
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> Hi Alex,
> you stop better as the vented discs run cooler, or to put
> another way, take more work before you get brake fade. This is of
> interest when towing as the extra weight you are towing, especially in
> traffic can heat up the discs much quicker.
>
> I've fitted them to people who tow horse box trailers, and the effect
> is quite dramatic when towing a trailer filled with 2 large horses.
>
> Cheers
>
> Phillip
>
I see, that makes sense, the biggest genny we tow is almost 3.5tonnes
with the trailer, although it is braked itself. Shall have to look into
getting a set of those discs :)
--
Alex Threlfall
Cyberprog New Media
www.cyberprog.net
tel - 0870 446 0789
fax - 0870 446 1789
 
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> Zeus sell a vented disc kit that has the spacers etc you need. They
> also have the stainless steel pistons that are much better than the
> original LR plated pistons.
>
Do you have a link for this company btw?
--
Alex Threlfall
Cyberprog New Media
www.cyberprog.net
tel - 0870 446 0789
fax - 0870 446 1789
 
Hi Alex,
call 01392 438833, and speak to either Graham or Marielouise
Beck. Graham may be there Sat morning, but you may have to wait until
Monday.

Cheers

Phillip Simpson


On Sat, 10 Sep 2005 08:54:52 GMT, Alex Threlfall
<[email protected]> wrote:

>In article <[email protected]>,
>[email protected] says...
>> Zeus sell a vented disc kit that has the spacers etc you need. They
>> also have the stainless steel pistons that are much better than the
>> original LR plated pistons.
>>
>Do you have a link for this company btw?

 
On or around Fri, 09 Sep 2005 20:04:34 GMT, Alex Threlfall
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
>> so Alex Threlfall was, like...
>> > Hi All!
>> >
>> > I currently have an 1996 (N) Discovery 300TDI, and I was wondering if
>> > there are any upgrades that can be done to improve towing speed and
>> > stability. This landie has also done in excess of 100K miles, does
>> > anything in the sway bar department need replacing after this sort of
>> > milage?
>> >
>> > Ta in advance!
>>
>> Just had a Jeremy Fearn intercooler and chip upgrade done to my 300. Makes
>> a useful difference to towing ability.
>>
>> As to stability - is it unstable at the moment? If not, leave it alone.
>>
>>
>>
>Yes, slightly when i get over about 55mph with the big genny behind, my
>colleagues defender 110 (05 plate) will pull it happily at 70+ without
>any issues.
>

The 110 is much stiffer sprung than the disco. One thing you can try is
replacing the dampers (aka "shocks") and another thing you might consider is
HD rear springs. I put HD 90 springs on the back of my disco, which are a
touch stiffer, and this made it better behaved. The suspension on the
disco, as on the RR, is very soft as standard, and this gives serious issues
with the big trailer I tow - on my disco, now sold, it was better and so was
the 110. Said big trailer has a very high hitch height, which I think makes
it worse.

Other things to check are noseweight (depending on trailer type) and tyre
pressures.

--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"It is a characteristic of the human mind to hate the man one has injured"
Tacitus (c.55 - c.117) Agricola, 45
 
On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 20:56:48 GMT, Alex Threlfall wrote:

> Yup, but it would be nice to do 60 without the instability :) Time
> is money unfortunatley!

But the difference in arrival time between doing 55 and 60mph is just
5'30" (ish) over a 60 mile journey on a road that you can get up to
speed and stay there for the full hour. No more than having to take a
little longer over a very hot cup of coffee or a long pee because of
too much coffee.

I travel down to Leeds fairly frequently in my old car I'd cruise just
over 70, in the Disco I cruise just over 60. The trip is 100 miles and
2hrs it takes at most 10 mins longer in the Disco, not really worth
bothering about.

--
Cheers [email protected]
Dave. pam is missing e-mail



 
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