TD4 disc brakes on the L series Diesel

Hi,

Probably a dumb question, but I'm pretty new on working on my own cars. I'm having problems with one of the disc brakes. One of them keeps getting stuck and is using up quite a number of pads. Every half year it's the same problem all over again. The first few time's I've had it fixed at a Land Rover garage. But now I want to do it for myself. I have the right documentation, but I'm just wondering. Can I fit the brake discs from the TD4 (which are vented) on the L series diesel without replacing the master cylinder and brake lines? Or won't they fit?
Tnx

It doesn't sound like the disc is at fault but the caliper piston may be sticking and it is this that needs sorting. I do not know but would think that the vented disc is thicker than the plain disc and will not fit in the L series caliper.

Allan

You're probably right. It is the caliper. But we've had this twice with different calipers, so I was guessing this is a common problem with these calipers. That's why I was wondering if I could replace the caliper and disc's with the one's from the TD4. As for dimentions I'd figure it could fit. I'm just not sure whether it would work with the L series master cylinder and brake line's.

This afternoon I'm going to have a look at the caliper. But like I said, this is the second time with different calipers. Now either it's a designfault or my local Land Rover garage is staffed with idiots. But that isn't very unlikely though...

Tnx for you help...

Have you had the flexible brake hoses changed. I could be that they are collapsing internally and acting as a one way valve which stops the caliper 'retracting' after you have taken your foot off the brake.

Fairly cheap and simple thing to change.

Tnx for the tip. I'll check those out tonight.

I'm going to have to change my disks soon on my L series. Had issues in the passed when pulling the Pikey wagon, especially driving through Milton Keynes, where I've lost count of the roundabouts at about 14. I've had more than one experience here where I get significant brake fade. I drive steadily and use the engine braking as much as I can but when you suddenly realise you have no more braking effort left and you've gotta stop then things get very hot, including the seat of my pants. Fortunately the run out to the M1 is long and steady so to cool the disks down. I was considering fitting vented disks, if they will fit, to help this problem. I would be interested if anyone has managed this and what disks they used.

Darmain said:

I'm going to have to change my disks soon on my L series. I was considering fitting vented disks, if they will fit, to help this problem. I would be interested if anyone has managed this and what disks they used.

Click to expand...

Not done this on an l-series myself though I'm sure it could be done - there may be wheel size issues to consider (i recall stories of people fitting new style wheels to older hubs and having calipers hit the wheels). Not sure if that'd be a problem here or if the hubs would require changing too?
But the point I was going to make was about brake fade - the vented discs aren't imune from this either. I've put standard brakes and discs on mine and if pushed (i.e. when towing or lots of downhill) they have a tendency to heat & fade too.
If doing it consider uprated pads and discs such as those from EBC - I hear good things of them.

Yes, EBC 'Green Stuff' pads are a worth while upgrade.

I agree with what you say as I have also had brake fade with our Picasso pulling the Pikey wagon and that has got vented disks. I was exploring the possibility as the current disks are getting dished out and are in need of replacement. I gather it is the pads that are losing adheshion at high temperature and the slow speeds, well short bursts of moderate speeds at best, around Milton doesn't allow the disks to force cool. I wondered if to force cool the disks would help keep the heat down on the pads. A better pad is a more obvious upgrade. Thanks for your input chaps.

Cmdr_Keen said:

Hi,

Probably a dumb question, but I'm pretty new on working on my own cars. I'm having problems with one of the disc brakes. One of them keeps getting stuck and is using up quite a number of pads. Every half year it's the same problem all over again. The first few time's I've had it fixed at a Land Rover garage. But now I want to do it for myself. I have the right documentation, but I'm just wondering. Can I fit the brake discs from the TD4 (which are vented) on the L series diesel without replacing the master cylinder and brake lines? Or won't they fit?
Tnx

Click to expand...

I don't think there will be enough displacement from the original master cylinder for the larger caliper pistons.

Cmdr_Keen said:

You're probably right. It is the caliper. But we've had this twice with different calipers, so I was guessing this is a common problem with these calipers. That's why I was wondering if I could replace the caliper and disc's with the one's from the TD4. As for dimentions I'd figure it could fit. I'm just not sure whether it would work with the L series master cylinder and brake line's.

This afternoon I'm going to have a look at the caliper. But like I said, this is the second time with different calipers. Now either it's a designfault or my local Land Rover garage is staffed with idiots. But that isn't very unlikely though...

Tnx for you help...

Click to expand...

?

Our Hippo is an 06 plate with vented discs.
Two points to note -
(1) Older wheels do not fit - the newer cars have a greater offset, bought a set from an older vehicle on ebay, fitted Goodyear AT's for offroading and set off home. A mile down the dual carriageway there was a noise like a machine gun from the front. Pulled over to find the front caliper machineing a groove in the front wheels, back ones were not sitting square on drum either.
(2) The pads you use realy does matter, ok I know I'm hard on brakes, but fitted a set of pads from Halfords on a Sunday, cooked them on Wednesday, not funny when you go strait through a junction. Genuine pads have never failed me - have fitted 5 sets in two years.