Brake Fade

Greg 1 · Guru

RE: Brake Fade

Whenarewethere · Guru

The Freelander is basically a Ford. As far as I am aware most Fords have a diagonal split brake system.

PeterD · Guru

There are three forms of split braking systems - Split / Divided Car Braking systems Explained -In the 1990s the one that was given as the way that it worked was the third example. If the OPs vehicle has a split system it may be this one. As the two parts of the system are interconnected at the brake fluid reservoir and that is where the moisture ingress occurs, the brake fluid in all of the system is likely to be in a similar condition. That would mean that the fluid is likely to boil in both halves of the brake system.

oldbloke · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
It can't be the front brakes as the hydraulics is a dual system diagonally. Front right & rear left. The other half is front left & rear right.

That is weird.

In any case take it back. Not normal.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Our previous 1995 Seat Ibiza also had diagonally split dual circuit brakes.

It first appeared in the 1960s, so some manufacturers are a bit slow with this safety feature.

Greg 1 · Guru

Well you learn something every day don't you. All my years of playing with cars and everything I have worked on has had front and rear split including my Falcon Turbo. Just did some research and it would appear that diagonal split systems are fast becoming the norm with the evolution of braking systems with Electronic Brake force Distribution etc. I crawled under my Ranger and that has gone to the diagonal split system too. Haven't needed to work on that yet. So thank you guys for pointing that out.

Cupie · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
It can't be the front brakes as the hydraulics is a dual system diagonally. Front right & rear left. The other half is front left & rear right.

Unsure about modern Patrols, but my GQ has a 'Transmission brake' handbrake. ie The handbrake does not actuate the rear brakes but rather a brake on the transmission at the rear of the transfer case.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Cupie wrote:
Whenarewethere wrote:
It can't be the front brakes as the hydraulics is a dual system diagonally. Front right & rear left. The other half is front left & rear right.
Unsure about modern Patrols, but my GQ has a 'Transmission brake' handbrake. ie The handbrake does not actuate the rear brakes but rather a brake on the transmission at the rear of the transfer case.

I am at the other end of the table & was quite surprised to hear that cars still have front/rear split!

markf · Senior Member

My memory may be a bit hazy...

I think that back in the late 1960's or early 1970's Volvo introduced a triangular split system so that no matter what, you always had brakes on both front wheels and at least one rear wheel. Between front and rear there was a pressure proportioning valve so that you'd have less braking effort going to the rear wheels so that during heavy braking you'd be less likely to lock the rear wheels.

oldbloke · Guru

Cupie wrote:
Whenarewethere wrote:
It can't be the front brakes as the hydraulics is a dual system diagonally. Front right & rear left. The other half is front left & rear right.
Unsure about modern Patrols, but my GQ has a 'Transmission brake' handbrake. ie The handbrake does not actuate the rear brakes but rather a brake on the transmission at the rear of the transfer case.

Saw that on trucks years ago.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Its a part of ADR to have seperate dual braking since the 60s., Not all are vacuum assisted . Some work off the power steering, some electric powered ? In any case it shows you are depending on your brakes too much . I go down that road Atleast twice a week. I have have to do the 40 kph all the way . Unless I take one of the cars ? The speed you want to be at the bottom ? SHOULD be the speed your traveling at the TOP ., Remember once you really heat up brakes ? Chances are the pads or rotors have been warped !! May require a service or replacing . Dont keep driving it'll come back kick you in the butt big time !! Carefull fitting grooved or more importantly drilled rotors !! They are ok on the track . But can CRACK in this high endurance situation such as down hills .

Greg 1 · Guru

Grooved or slotted rotors do not tend to crack unless they are poor quality. Cross drilled rotors do. I have seen a plain rotors disintegrate from heat cracking on a lightweight race car so no rotor is exempt from this issue, but if you buy good quality rotors such as DBA or RDA or Brembo, and avoid cross drilled you should not see any failures. The plain rotor I saw fail was a cheap Chinese brand that probably would be fine under normal use but heated to extremes in race conditions or in towing, the results could be disastrous.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Ive done a few track days . Any rotor can crack if pushed . I had one fail 250 kph plus down Conrod straight at Bathurst ! Sure gets your attention . Local DBA rotors cross drilled . Went with just grooved to vent pad gasses . No issues since . AP 4 pot calipers . Twin turbo XR8 . 482 rwkw .