So since I have got my D2 about 5-6 months ago I have noticed that the brakes are not very strong. The pedal feels firm but if I need to come to a sudden stop it just takes it's sweet *** time! Everything seems in order, recently changes to braided lines hoping that would help plus completely flushed out the brake fluid and no change. I went through and checked all vacuum lines for leaks as best I could with no results either. I wonder if maybe that's just how these brakes are normally. Under regular driving conditions it does well but if ever a car was to slam his breaks in front of me I gaurentee I will be in a accident. I have wheeled the car almost every other weekend since I got it with no issues off road either. What are your thoughts?

 

What is the state of pads and rotors? I recently replaced all four pads on my 04, bled the brakes, it did seem to help, but compared to other SUV's I have never been thrilled with the brakes. I find that if I step on the pedal and the release it, the brakes seem stronger if I step on the pedal again within a five seconds.

 

Haha, I drive old classic cars so I am already accustomed to double pumping the brake pedal out of habit. My wife makes fun of me because I pump even our brand new cars. Upon inspection of the pads and rotors the seem fine, atlesst 60% life left as far as thickness goes. I found a receipt for brakes from Redwood Land Rover done 2 years ago and the Rover was only driven for 11k from the service mileage. I wonder if from sitting the pads could have gone bad.

 

I'm not crazy about my brakes either....Mine act the same as yours, AND the fronts will lock up in the snow/ice, you have to be careful. AND if I'm backing down a steep gravel hill, the left front will lock up? I haven't diagnosed it yet. Go ahead and throw out some suggestions if you want

 

AB swears by using a computer to ABS bleed to have a true firm pedal.

 

Sometimes air gets trapped in the ABS module. The best way to purge the air is activating it with a scan tool. If you don't have a scan tool that has that function, I think there is a procedure you can do using the hill descent button. You might be able to find it somewhere here on the forum.

 

AB is also run by a bunch of jokes.

 

I've used hill decent for 10-15 minutes straight on long down hills, I then get a warning light on the dash saying something about the ABS motor getting hot?? I need to do some searching on here, I haven't even looked yet. Could be related in my issue.

 

In my opinion DII brakes are undersized for a vehicle that weighs as much as our trucks do. The performance you describe is exactly how mine has performed the 14 years I have owned it, through a few brake jobs.


You can spend a lot of time and money trying to improve them but I instead do my best to maintain ample following distance.

 

I remember the the thread that talks about using the Hill Descent Control. It was written by a member that i think has left the forum. He told me, in person that every once in a while it was a good idea to engage the HDC. Some times it kept the three amigos at bay for a while. I do it once or twice a year on the hill near me. Can't hurt right?