Just got my new to me 01 D2....The brakes seem soft until after you pump them once

I'm going to brake flush and see if it helps...I seem to remember this on my '00 I use to have. But, I was reading up on this a bit and saw some posts that said it could be a loose wheel bearing? I think the discussion was relating to D1's but I was wondering if that is something I should be concerned about here. It's an '01 w/ 56k on the od so I'm assuming the brakes are probably original all the way around.

 

it sounds like you are suffering the dreaded Disco Two Step, usually solved by replacing the 10+ year rubber brake hoses and replacing the fluid with new.

 

Good to know. I'll look into that, Thanks.

 

I have new lines, new pads, new rotors, new fluid and I've bled it using a computer to activate the solenoids and the brakes still suck. Very frustrating.

 

replace all 6 rubber lines with braided stainless steel lines extended if you are planning on adding any lift and or larger tires. At that time do a complete flush with new fluid. Your brakes will be like new. And by new I mean they will still feel soft but a better soft than what you are currently feeling. You will get used to the way they feel quickly.

 

Mine suck too. I don't think I can get my ABS to activate if I try to brake hard, with 2 feet. I replaced, pads, calipers, rotors, fluid, and the 6 rubber lines with SS. I need to fond someone with a computer so I can bleed it the right way.

 

My brakes feel great on pavement...but Ive noticed when in reverse backing down a gravel/dirt hill or something, the front brakes will lock up...Not sure whats going on there...Put it on the figure it out-to-do eventually list I guess'
I just hope I it's not an issue in the snow and ice??????

 

Spongy brakes are usually old rubber brake hoses or badly bled system with air in it or both. Servo brakes are never rock solid in action on any vehicle but there is a degree of softness which is or isn't acceptable. On the other hand it may be the master cylinder, PAS servo or even calipers not performing correctly. The best place to start is the RAVE manual and understand the system and the various possibilities and probabilities first. Yep, you can keep throwing money at the issues but at the end of the day if the system isn't bled properly as per the RAVE there may be air in the pipes which will make it pointless wasting more cash.

 

I'm going to bleed them out before I replace anything. On my 2000 that solved the issue. Does the fact that they feel fine after the double pump give any ideas on what it might be?

 

Purely a guess without seeing/testing as it could be many things but, I guess it's an air in the system problem or the hoses need replacing or both. However, it could also be brake pad push back on the caliper(s) due to slack wheel bearing(s). Another possibility is the vacuum line to the brake servo is leaking or even the servo defective. Lastly it could be the master cylinder seals defective. It's a process of logical elimination I'm afraid.