I'm in the process of getting a Discovery 1 road worthy, and am coming to grips with the possibility that brakes may be an asset, at some point in my motoring future. The Disco stops, but with about the same response as a soap box derby car...almost. Rodney Dangerfield deserved more brakes than this thing has.
I've read that pulling the fuse for the ABS may help, and I tried that, and surprisingly, it helped. I've also read that bleeding the system, repeatedly, may help too. Haven't done that yet, looking for a way to get (better yet,make-any suggestions?) a power bleeder. But for what these things cost, why in hell do the brakes suck-or is it actually unusual for a Land Rover to have the brakes take a crap, and I've just managed to get one of the few that do?

"Because that's the way it is." is an acceptable answer to the "why" question. Sure wouldn't be the first time.

 

Flushing entire brake system with 2 quarts of DOT4 fluid is also something you want to do. And if no assistant available, they sell a little one man bleeder rig at the parts stores for maybe $15. As for improved perfomance, plenty of people running different rotors and pads, various posts on that. If rotors have been machined, might not have been the best plan, they are modest to begin with.

 

You may have a bad caliper or 6, I had 2 bad ones, I replaced them all.
AutoZone has the best price on calipers.
The brakes on these things are not made for stopping on a dime.
I did a complete brake overhaul for $500, thats all new calipers, pads and rotors.
Start with the brake flush.

 

New or rebuilt?