I have a N reg, Disco 1. The brakes have completely failed on 3 separate occasions. Each time it has been diagnosed as a master cylinder problem which has been replaced twice.

The problem appears to be rectified but reoccurs after a few weeks. When the brakes fail they partially recover after a few minutes. I have had the brakes checked, there are no leaks and the pads and discs are in good condition.

I cannot believe 3 master cylinders have been faulty so I think the problem may be something else.

Anyone any ideas as I cannot drive the disco currently for fear of this happening again and not being so lucky next time

 

Im not really sure either, but my brakes seem to be decreasing rapidly as well. Hold the pedal to the floor and it still takes several dangerous seconds for the rover to come to a stop! I purchased a new master cylinder as well, but haven't got around to installing it yet. Hm maybe check the wheel hubs? How about the calipers? Worse case try replacing all the brake lines? Lines are pretty cheap and if you install them yourself youll save alot of money.

 

We need a better description, "brakes failing" is not a description, what exactly are the brakes doing?
Soft pedal?
Pedal goes to the floor?
The pedal is hard but it pulsates rapidly with a ratcheting noise but still not stopping power?
What?
Be as descriptive as possible.

 

Anti Lock light on......?

 

Thanks Sp[ike,

The brake pedal goes right to the floor-no pressure what so ever even after furious pumping.
After a short while the pressure recovers and the brakes work normally again.
There is no fluid loss and the pads and discs calipers are all in good working order.
The interval between failure is approx 6 weeks .
The failure is immediate and without warning.
No softening of the pedal beforehand.

I have had the second replacement master cylinder tested and it is OK.

Cheers colin

 

Ok, lets try this and see what happens.
Open the hood and find the fuse box on the fender, open it and remove the ABS PUMP fuse, save that fuse.
Then drive it and see if it happens again.

In the mean time look for vacuum leaks from the master cylinder to the engine.
Is this a petrol or diesel?

 

Thanks spike.

I will try both these.

The car is diesel.

Could it be a problem with either the abs block or the servo???

cheers colin

 

Hi Spike,

I have located the ABS fuse in the engine compartment.

Is the car safe to drive with this disabled??

The problem I have is that the brakes may function OK for several weeks before they fail again.At the moment they are working satisfactorily.

Am I right in assuming that this problem could only be the master cylinder or the ABS block(either pump or seals)??

Cheers Colin

 

Yes it is safe to drive with the ABS pump fuse removed, you might not pass MOT though. (in that case put the fuse back, pass MOT, remove fuse)
My ABS pump fuse has been removed for going on 3 years (we dont have inspections)
All DI ABS systems suck, what happens is the ABS modulator goes bad and when you press the brake pedal it trys to pump the brakes even though that is not needed and you cannot stop.
It will be fine for weeks or even months, then all of a sudden you blow through a stop sign because you had no brakes.
My wife almost rear ended a school bus, the fuse was gone that night after I got home from work.
A new ABS modulator cost as much as the truck is worth.

 

Yup my brakes just barely went as well. Everything was fine earlier today, then it started raining and i drove a short distance and notice that my brakes were not working anymore. Put the pedal to the floor with no resistance and the rig does not stop at all. Have to rely on the e brake. There is still a little bit of brake fluid left in the resevor. Every time I use the e brake I hear loud chunking noises and the whole rig shakes. Hopefully its just the MC as I have a new one waiting to be installed. Anyone know exactly how to remove the old MC and install the new?