Marcus Clifford Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 Vehicle is a Defender 90 TD5 (2003), with disc brakes all round but without ABS. The possible problem (as I've been told it is normal), is that I am unable to get the rear brakes to lockup the wheels when driving normally and breaking hard, even on very slippery surfaces. I have had the brakes tested on a VOSA brake testing rolling road with the rear prop disconnected and got the results as follows: Max Force Front N/S 336 kgf Front O/S 288 kgf Rear N/S 143 kgf Rear O/S 141 kgf The brake tester center told me that this would be a FAIL for an MOT if the vehicle was tested that way (The Defender is tested using a footwell meter normally and passes). I know the front brakes should by design lock up before the rears for safety, but I am unable to get the rears to lock up at all, even on wet grass when they should lock up very easily (I would think). The pads seem fine (plenty thickness left), and the rear calipers also seem fine - pistons move freely in and out. I think the discs are OK too. Can anyone give any advice on this. Thanks in advance Marcus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cackshifter Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 They are very consistent left to right at the rear, otherwise you might suspect seized pistons - unless you have several. BTW no grease seals leaking onto rear discs? Maybe discs and pads are glazed, or maybe you have servo or vacuum pump weakness. Do the brakes generally seem effective? Nigel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landy andy. Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Have you checked that the flex hose to the rear axle is ok, and not squashed or bulging under pressure??? Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Clifford Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 Thanks for the replies so far. In answer to the questions, yes the brakes seem very effective, but that is mainly due to the front brakes - they seem really good, it is just the back brakes that seem very poor. The flexible brake hoses were changed / fitted about a year ago with Goodridge braided hoses and they still look fine - no damage or bulging when an assistant presses the pedal. The pads and calipers look clean, no fluid leaks there and the resevoir level is exactly at the max mark so has not lost any fluid since filled (when the hoses were fitted). The glazing of pads / discs is not something I have considered - is there a way of identifying that visually? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landmannnn Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Put in some new rear pads. It is more than likely your old pads are poor quality or just old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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