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Hi,
We were driving through baja the other day in my 2003 Disco II. We came up a rolling hill and as we came up and over I saw a goat in the road and tried to brake suddenly. I can’t say if it was pedal to the floor but I definitely had to react suddenly. We were going about 70-80mph. As soon as I braked the disco started to swerve left right left (- few feet of travel in each direction) right pretty violently. Due to the speed I thought we were going to lose it and flip but thank good this stopped after we slowed down. No issues the rest of the trip (over 1000 miles) but then again we never had another situation where we had to brake so quick going at an high rate of speed. Any ideas what this could be?
A few additional details:
- we have a baja rack and gas tanks on top + 2 surfboard
- 2” OME lift + 16” 265 K02
- brakes have been inspected and all the pads are fine; also suspension and stabilizer ok
- my brake line broke last year and my mechanic in the US had a very tough time fixing it - I had to bring it back 4 times (spongy pedal etc) and they changed the brake booster but it was literally 8 weeks in the shop
- It was discovered in the inspection after that CV joints need to replaced as well as one of the ball joint
- sometimes roads in baja are not graded well and are bumpy so small chance that it could have been that piece it road however the road looked very new and smooth to me
But I would also be concerned about my brakes taking multiple trips over 2 months to replace a line and bleed the system. It sounds like pretty poor work to to me. I had all 4 rotors and the pads replaced, as well as the calipers checked by a local Nissen mechanic in one day with zero issues.
No way it should take that long to replace brake parts. I just replaced my ENTIRE brake system. Working alone it took two casual days.
Given the trouble that you have had with that system, perhaps your wheels are grabbing unevenly. A bad master cylinder can lead to only half the lines being active, so perhaps that is something to look into.
The rollover warning is on the D2 sun visor because people have been seriously injured or killed....Just Slow Down.
The D2 wasn't designed for 70 - 80mph desert running (even with OME kit) and when you put heavy stuff on a roof rack it raises the center of gravity and makes the vehicle unstable and you get even more unpredictable handling.
Keep in mind that at the time Land Rover released the D2 they were using the following slogan in their training videos "as slow as possible, as fast as necessary".
Hi,
We were driving through baja the other day in my 2003 Disco II. We came up a rolling hill and as we came up and over I saw a goat in the road and tried to brake suddenly. I can’t say if it was pedal to the floor but I definitely had to react suddenly. We were going about 70-80mph. As soon as I braked the disco started to swerve left right left (- few feet of travel in each direction) right pretty violently. Due to the speed I thought we were going to lose it and flip but thank good this stopped after we slowed down. No issues the rest of the trip (over 1000 miles) but then again we never had another situation where we had to brake so quick going at an high rate of speed. Any ideas what this could be?
A few additional details:
- we have a baja rack and gas tanks on top + 2 surfboard
It's foolish to get into a vehicle with containers of gasoline ready to pour over the entirety of it.
- 2” OME lift + 16” 265 K02
- brakes have been inspected and all the pads are fine; also suspension and stabilizer ok
Your shocks have insufficient low-speed compression damping for the weight and insufficient rebound damping for the up-rated "lift" springs. Get ones you can valve yourself because OME won't fix it. If you're using the sway bars, they may need new bushings. I suggest urethane.
- my brake line broke last year and my mechanic in the US had a very tough time fixing it - I had to bring it back 4 times (spongy pedal etc) and they changed the brake booster but it was literally 8 weeks in the shop
Leaking boosters are a common problem but the replacement should resolve that part. The steel brake lines are prone to rust and the rubber ones rot away. Replace the lines on the axle with cupronickel tubing and replace the rubber ones with steel-braided. I suggest covering the steel braid so it doesn't saw through something else.
- It was discovered in the inspection after that CV joints need to replaced as well as one of the ball joint
You might also need to replace the bushings on the panhard rod and the tie-rod ends on the tie-rod and drag-link. New bushings on the radius arms can also improve stability.
- sometimes roads in baja are not graded well and are bumpy so small chance that it could have been that piece it road however the road looked very new and smooth to me
Maybe later:
- Brakes: They have been inspected again and look "fine/good" but I agree the way they were repaired was concerning. By a "licensed LR mechanic" and shop specializing in LR in Los Angeles area nonetheless...a complete joke.
- Tie-rod ends and bushings - they seem fine and were changed last year
The rollover warning is on the D2 sun visor because people have been seriously injured or killed....Just Slow Down.
The D2 wasn't designed for 70 - 80mph desert running (even with OME kit) and when you put heavy stuff on a roof rack it raises the center of gravity and makes the vehicle unstable and you get even more unpredictable handling.
Keep in mind that at the time Land Rover released the D2 they were using the following slogan in their training videos "as slow as possible, as fast as necessary".
I appreciate your concern ( I think) but how is this a helpful reply? Regardless of the speed, there are safety issues with the car that need to be addressed...whether you go 50/60/70mph if the car flips and rolls off the highway due to a faulty mechanism or part, you will die. It's like if you asked for advice in the forum and people responded to you by telling you to stay home and not drive the car because it's safer that way.
12-11-2023 | 09:34 AM
Dangerous body roll and swerving when braking
