P38A Like towing a loaded skip

Had the car up to change all the suspension bushes, brake pads, got the discs turned. Put everything back together and two odd problems - one is EAS related - I will slog on that a bit more on my own before coming back if I need help. The headscratcher is that the car is suddenly struggling to move. It is like towing a loaded building skip across wet sand and the moment you take your foot off the accelerator it comes to a firm stop, absolutely no coasting. So I assumed a brake was sticking or a TC problem. Jacked it onto blocks, all 4 wheels easy to spin the tires by hand. No faults in ABS, no lights. I neglected to feel the wheels to see if they'd gotten hot after trying to drive but I'm inclined to give the brakes a pass since as aforementioned, wheels can be spun by hand and no faults are showing.

What else could it be?

Do the one wheel up test for the VCU......it could have seized.

parking brake seized ?

biketeacherdave said:

parking brake seized ?

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That'd be true of the front wheels, but on the rears, if the brake seized at best you'd only get a bit of slack in the diff for movement. The prop would be locked solid.

Bix said:

That'd be true of the front wheels, but on the rears, if the brake seized at best you'd only get a bit of slack in the diff for movement. The prop would be locked solid.

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Not if both wheels were off the ground.

I'll do the VCU test in the morning. Not sure that this symptom fits but can't think of anything else. Earlier though while test driving I did happen to make a few tight circles on loose sand. Wasn't actually testing VCU but if it was skipping I would have noticed.

Do you think its worth removing front propshaft if VCU passes test? Maybe take each prop off in turn and see?

I would be looking at the hand brake on the back o the gearbox ..Take it for a small run ,see if the hub gets hot .

dubbleRR said:

I would be looking at the hand brake on the back o the gearbox ..Take it for a small run ,see if the hub gets hot .

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Yes, that just crossed my mind too. Cheers!

If all wheels turn freely when all off the ground at the same time, the transmission brake binding is all it can be.

biketeacherdave said:

parking brake seized ?

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cough

biketeacherdave said:

cough

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You need to get some Venos for that.

wammers said:

You need to get some Venos for that.

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Did your spell checker miss spell a word there ???

biketeacherdave said:

Did your spell checker miss spell a word there ???

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Isn't the motoring equivalent some Vanos for that?

Agreed parking brake

Hi all, hope you had a better weekend than I! Don't know the video upload fralala here so pls follow links below to see VCU test and parking brake check. Colour me flummoxed.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6Ekjp78a5loSmJwMlVGT2FESzg
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6Ekjp78a5loX2c2LU8ybk9tbkU
(Note in second vid we hadn't raised rear wheels off the ground. If we had done the drum would probably rotate freely.)

Bush mechanics is I think the slightly dismissive term for these guys whom I actually find sincere and hard working even if scant on training and tools. This particular chap is quite experienced, even worked for a stint for an LR dealer so knows a bit as long as I can provide direction - with your help.

Edit: While I'm here may as well show you the prior test with all 4 wheels off the ground and rotating freely.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6Ekjp78a5loMFlBWU9KVUhyZTA

Has anyone tied a loaded skip to the back of the car while you was not looking ?.Sorry I just could not resist I know it's not funny .

What dya call a Lada with a sunroof?

Fffffffooookkiiiinnnn heavy if it's filled with lead balloons

boycie said:

Has anyone tied a loaded skip to the back of the car while you was not looking ?.Sorry I just could not resist I know it's not funny .

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P38, of its not one loaded inside it will be loaded whole in one sooooon

boycie said:

Has anyone tied a loaded skip to the back of the car while you was not looking ?.Sorry I just could not resist I know it's not funny .

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Haha at this point I'll consider anything!

Thanks for the comic relief chaps, sorely needed. Latest is, although external checks didn't throw anything up I went ahead and gutted the parking brake leaving just an empty drum. And it worked! Car now glides like an ice ballerina on her bum, embarrassing far!

So today will rebuild the parking brake with care. Very odd we could turn it by hand before and it was still binding but anyway.

Case closed on this one, thanks again everyone!

result. Well done mate!