The P38's are a heavy beast, looking for brake upgrades that people have tried and work well?
I'm very happy with the EBC dimpled disks and greenstuff (9000 IIRC, for heavy SUVs) pads.
But overall the brakes should be good when in good nick.
Mine are totally standard with Delphi pads. Never had any trouble stopping it even with a very heavy, unbraked, trailer on the back. Main thing is to make sure the accumulator is good.
I had a National Express coach move into my lane as I was coming up behind at around 70 mph. Stomped on the pedal and locked up all 4 wheels so they must work pretty well.
Gilbertd wrote:
Mine are totally standard with Delphi pads. Never had any trouble stopping it even with a very heavy, unbraked, trailer on the back. Main thing is to make sure the accumulator is good.
How do you change the accumulator on the ABS pump. Do you just unscrew and replace ?
Yup, it unscrews and the new one screws on. There's a hex at the base but it's too thin for most open ended spanners so an oil filter strap wrench around the body is the usual method of getting it off. Just make sure you pump the brake pedal, RAVE says at least 30 times, to get rid of any pressure or you could end up with a DOT 4 shampoo.
I've ground quite a few spanners thinner...
I have a machine shop at my disposal to thin stuff out but an oil filter strap may be easier to get my paws in haha
Last spanner I thinned down went on the shaper.
So relaxing in a Victorian type of way and awsome finish is easy.
Agree that strap wrench is best for the accumulator. The type that wraps a webbing strap round a thick rod to tighten it is probably best in this case.
Clive
PS How do normal folks manage without machining facilities!
Angle grinder and file. May not be as elegant and the finish may not be as good as machining it, but it works
just find an 1/8 " piece of plate and cut a recess in it to suit, (that's what you do without a machine shop) when finished just throw it in the SST box with the other SST tools that you have made (special service tools)
PS most old car manuals have pics of the SST in them, good for reference on what they look like
Another tool which worked on two so far is the chain-type filter wrench, but I used the kind with a square-drive socket attached to the loop of chain rather than a handle. That way you can get a good bite on it (seem to remember putting a strip of inner-tube round the accumulators first in the end) then use a strong bar in the socket at a right angle to the accumulator.
One of these.
For whatever is worth, the P38 with a system in good condition brakes very well, surprisingly well for a 4x4 designed in the 90s and able to fit 16" AT/MT options as well! Other vehicles of similar years don't fare equally good ....
In mine I fitted a new accumulator, rebuilt ALL calipers and replaced ALL hoses (except that dreadful 90 degree corner), emptied and cleaned ALL the pumps, including the reservoir, brand new Terrafirma discs and Ferodo pads, new quality fluid and proper bleeding, and in almost 30K km the entire system has not given one reason for negative comment. Do it once, and (try to) do it well - especially brakes.
Thankyou all for your input, very helpful. I will start to sort out a full brake overhaul, think that is the best way forward.
1Steven wrote:
Thankyou all for your input, very helpful. I will start to sort out a full brake overhaul, think that is the best way forward.
Best way forward.
That's what I did on mine, full overhaul/replacement.
Rebuilt modulator, brake pump, new flexi hoses, overhauled calipers (although they were fine) new pads, hard lines don't rust here and, obviously, a full bleed.
No fancy discs/pads. Never had a problem with them since.
I got braided Flexi hoses to all my vehicles ok they cost more but I like the added safety my vogue SE got standard discs and pads stops well enough for me 👍 but like all things everybody different 👍
I was looking at a RRS S/C with those gorgeous Brembos at the traffic light and remembering this topic ... looking at newer RRs might give some sources for upgraded brakes, but I think at the expense of not being able to mount 16" rims.
Thanks once again everybody, they do look good those Brembo calipers. But i will paint them black when they are overhauled. Think i will go for EBC pads with a good set of quality discs maybe braided hoses as i had them on my 90 and where very good.
The brakes on mine are really rather good...
Mintex pads all round..
Thankyou