Chronic Brake/Rotor Problems - Disco II '03

[OffRdGrl]

Hello,
I am new to this post. I am in need of desperate help with my car. I purchased my Discovery in 2003 and have had constant parts replaced since. I have taken my car in for problems such as ABS and descent lights on while driving, transfer case needs to be replaced, engine rattles a lot, and so forth. The problem that never seemed to go away is my brakes. My current mileage on the car is at 45K. The LR dealership just told me that I needed to have my brake pads and rotors replaced again. This is the 3rd time now. My car needs brake pads and rotors replaced every 12K miles. I work at home and hardly drive the car. I know for sure it is not my driving habit that was causing this problem because I have had other cars in the past and never had any issues with the brakes. I also own a 1999 infiniti G20 at 125K miles and only had the rotor replaced once! I have a friend who also bought the same car a few months later. His car is at 46K and only had is rotor replaced once. Can someone shed some light to this issue? I have tried to call and explain this problem to LR and they told me that the car was heavy and therefore it is very common to have the brake pads and rotors changed every 10-12K miles. Does anybody else have this problem? I am thinking about filing a formal complaint agains LR and also suing LandRover. Thanks.

 

[joey]

I hate to comment on dealers, but not all dealers or mechanics are created equal. Also you will find that not all LR's are created equal either. Some, okay alot of them where built just before or just after spending time at the Pub... (I Am not saying the all drink, but we are talking a hand build vehicle)

If it were me and I though I had some rotor or brake issues I would drive down to my local mechanic (non-LR) and have them take a look and or replace them with some upgraded parts. Again not all parts are created equal and not all LR parts are high end, they just cost that way.

Let us know where you are at, and someone on here might be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[roverman]

Are you SURE you need new rotors or is that the dealer's story? I'd double check with another brake shop and see if you don't just need pads. Dealers like to sell rotors for obvious reasons. For reference, my '99 rr has 75000 miles. The rotors are original, although probably in the twilight of their lives. But 3 sets at 45000 miles is out of hand.

 

[bdog]

If whoever puts you wheels on uses an air gun it can warp your rotors creating problems if its too tight or an uneven tightness. Always make sure the shop uses a torque wrench and tightens by hand (Disco lugs are to be torqued at 103lbs.) This can be one reason rotors/disks go bad. The other is heavier cars you need to be stopped slowly, kinda ride your brake more while coming to a stop instead of a hard stop. Shorter harder stops create lots more heat than a slower stop and can warp the rotors. My wife went through a set of brake rotors in her Escalade within months. I noticed she was breaking way too late everywhere she went and in no time the vehicle was shaking at stops and the pads were all messed up. She was stopping like she was in a Toyota Corolla or something. Good luck!

 

[Jaak]

Tires make a big difference. When I went from the Goodyears to Yokohama Geolanders ... I found the ABS came on only 1/5th the time as with the GY tires. I don't need to brake as ******* wet roads due to the better grip from the Yoko's.