Had left rear e-brake apply while doing 70mph

[DonA]

Just thought I would share this.

I was traveling down the interstate this Saturday towing an small empty landscape trailer. Had been on the road for about a good 30-40 mins when I start to feel a vibration that got very severe very fast. I assume its either a tire failing or a hub bearing on the trailer. So I pull over, everything looks fine hubs on the trailer are cool to the touch.

Hoping maybe it was the road surface or I picked up something on a tire and it freed itself I start to drive again. Got to about 25mph and its still there and now I can smell something burning. I stop and see smoke pouring out of the left rear wheel.

I replaced all 4 brake rotors & pads about 3 months ago so I knew what I was looking at and quickly diagnosed the e-brake was dragging but only on the left side.

I let it cool down enough to limp off the interstate an into a commuter parking lot. I backed up and jammed on the brakes a few times and applied and released the e-brakes a few times. I let it cool totally off and continued down the road.

I have put about 150 miles on it since then and no problem. I plan to call the dealer today and schedule to have it looked at.

It has to be an electrical issue since I have driven on much longer trips after the new brakes without incident, in fact I had driven 85 miles each way the day before towing a load of shelving for the store I trying to open .

Can’t help but to think about how dangerous this could be if it happens on a slippery road condition. Remember when you were a kid and pulled the the spin-out lever on your big wheel?

 

[DonA]

The problem came back, naturally when I was on my way up to the lake house for vacation. As soon as I hit 70mph the e-brake comes on. If I pull over and stop the issue is still there if I take off again. If I stop and turn off the key the problem goes away until I hit 70 again.

Dealer claims that since I did the brakes myself I adjusted them too tight, Despite the fact I have gone 3500 miles since the brake job and not had any issues until now.

I am convinced they my have masked the issue by backing out the e-brake adjustment. I will do a hill test when I pick it up, it had better hold.

This problem is so repeatable at an exact speed and is cured by a "reboot" I am convinced this is an electrical issue.

Of course since I did the brake job myself, despite using genuine parts I must pay for the labor.

 

[sshafer]

Just thought I would respond.

This morning I was traveling 70-75 MPH at 4:30AM and felt the vibration, also thought that I had a tire issue I pulled off the interstate checked my tires and found out that the left rear core of the rotor was red hot. I let it cool down, made it to work, dropped off at the dealer, they thought at first that it could be a bearing, later called and said that it was a defective clip (recall item) for the E-brake. Dealer called for a free rental car because they where out of loaners, they are installing new rotors and pads on both sides under warranty. Hope this helps...

 

[DonA]

Thanks for the reply.

Interesting it was your left rear becuase my problem was with the left rear as well

They charged me $87 labor to loosen up the e-brake adjustment. So for it is working but I think they just masked the real problem.

 

[Bluebird]

Left rear is where I had my bad bearing.

 

[DonA]

I called LR USA they couldn't give 2 cents about me or my issues, and I will never EVER again buy, lease or borrow a vehicle from this manufacturer.

They could not find any such recall about a clip, nor give me a straight answer about warranty.

I asked if I use genuine parts on my vehicle and do maintenance myself does this void my warranty, he told me it’s a grey area and could not say yes or no. He did not know.

Umm excuse me you are a CSR for Land Rover USA and you don’t know the answer to this basic question? What a bunch of BS! I believe there are laws pertaining to this.

Its not the $87 but the idea I may have a defective part on my LR3 that could cause a very serious accident