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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5804

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
LOF Brakes Powerspec Upgrade - User feedback please
Wotcha,

Just had a brake upgrade on my 2011 2.4 DCPU. (Non ABS).

I had the following fitted:

LOF Powerspec Vented Front Kit
LOF Front Vented Calipers with SS pistons
Goodridge Braided Hoses

In last two years I've also fitted a completely new set of copper fixed lines.

The work was done by a reputable dealer. As far as I can tell, looking at the job sheet, no new Brake Fluid was added. The reservoir is at the correct level.

I have probably done 500km since I picked up the Def last week. A mix of motorway and a-roads, requiring fast to slow braking (tolls, jncs etc), hard braking (steep downhills), and general town braking.

Prior to the upgrade I've always experienced very good, very firm, braking with very good feedback. However, since the fitment, the feeling is now extremely vague, requires huge physical effort on the pedal, does not stop sharply even a hard stomp, (notably a hard brake when someone walked out onto a pedestrian crossing without warning), and failed a very amateurish brake test which was a high speed descent, emergency stop to create a skid, and nothing happened. Every stop is a slow, slow reaction by the Def despite a hard press down on the pedal. Even just gently stopping at a roundabout offers a very uncomfortable reaction and feedback.

I've not heard any noise, not experienced any weaving, not seen any puff of black powder, so all seems to have been fitted properly. Clearly it could be that there is air in the system, (and that the system requires new fluid), but has anyone else experienced this from the start, is there some magic breaking-in period (pardon the pun) that I need to wait for first?

Instinct says its the fluid or air in the system, and not the lines/calipers/pads/discs, but just wondering, before I bleed the system. Thumbs Up Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #1041939 5th Aug 2024 12:35pm
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BaronDefenders



Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 896

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Santorini Black
I have LOF supplied discs and callipers on all corners of my 90. The first few hundred miles were noticeably an improvement over what they replaced, but now they’ve fully bedded in they are a stark contrast. My 90 stops impressively well for its size and lack of ABS.

I’d say you should start with bleeding the brakes and then give it another couple of hundred KM to ensure the full bedding-in process is complete. Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders
Post #1041941 5th Aug 2024 12:42pm
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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5804

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
Thanks Charlie. Everything I've read about LOF is very positive, so I did suspect the kit wasn't the problem. I'll buy some fresh fluid and flush/refill the system. Thumbs Up Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #1041942 5th Aug 2024 12:44pm
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90 Dreamer



Member Since: 13 Jul 2019
Location: Oop North
Posts: 2147

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Corris Grey
you can't fit new calipers without losing / refilling some fluid so it can't be that simple??
silly question but are the bleed nipples at the higher point of the caliper as if fitted on the wrong side the nipple will be at the lower point and air still in the system or they simply haven't been bled correctly??
Post #1041961 5th Aug 2024 1:44pm
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CallumB



Member Since: 22 Sep 2018
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 87

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
From the LOF site:


Click image to enlarge
Post #1041963 5th Aug 2024 2:01pm
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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5804

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
Thanks Callum. Hopefully they've fitted all that gubbins. I'll check. And then bleed the system. Thumbs Up Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #1041982 5th Aug 2024 4:34pm
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Shafski



Member Since: 19 Jun 2023
Location: Chilterns
Posts: 110

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Montalcino Red
Is the pedal firm to press? - Engine running (i.e power assist ready)..

If it is I’d be surprised by air.. could be water content in lines.. but unlikely to have that much affect from the instal, and nothing from where you previously were.

Are they new calipers? Gut feel says instal error.. either pads too big for calipers, or discs, or incorrect mix of terms for the rotor.. as such pistons can’t get the clear push - Ive had this before from a BM main dealer!!

I’m still about in the area if I can help you.. let me know Thumbs Up

Shafski Shafski
_________________________________________

2015 110 Montalcino Red Utility "Harriet" along with Puma on I.C.E
Post #1041983 5th Aug 2024 5:13pm
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MarkBrown



Member Since: 03 Oct 2022
Location: Mid Wales
Posts: 459

Wales 1983 Defender 110 Other HT Auto Keswick Green
If there had been a new servo fitted it could be that the pin between it and the master cylinder need adjustment. If it’s not turned out enough it will increase pedal travel, if it’s out too much it will drag the brakes and overheat them and make them bind. This coupled with air would give a spongy vague feel with no bite. The callipers do need the bleed nipples at the top, as said, sometimes they can be fitted upside down. I don’t know about LOF but I had EBC pads and they were awful until they were warm, giving all the symptoms you’ve mentioned.
Post #1042027 5th Aug 2024 10:00pm
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Shafski



Member Since: 19 Jun 2023
Location: Chilterns
Posts: 110

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Montalcino Red
I do wonder if they forgot by to clean the grease off the new discs.. and now you’ve contaminated pads?

Neutral Shafski
_________________________________________

2015 110 Montalcino Red Utility "Harriet" along with Puma on I.C.E
Post #1042033 6th Aug 2024 5:48am
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bear100



Member Since: 22 Mar 2010
Location: South Wales
Posts: 1913

Wales 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
i fitted the LOF power spec kit and their AP callipers with stainless pistons over the Lock down period and initially a huge difference from the standard setup and virtually no brake dust!!

Since then i have a new set of their discs (the old pitted quite badly) and new brake pads, but i have the exact same issues as you no where near as positive and good.

i have since changed all the brake lines for pioneer stainless flexible from ABS to caliper (had corrosion issues on original) and purchased a Nanocom to bleed the ABS but still exactly the same.
i have bled every way possible and used at least a 5 lite can Shocked 2016 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 TDV8
2010 110 XS Utility 2.4TDCI
2010 Range Rover Sport TDV8 (gone)
2007 Discovery HSE TDV6 (gone)
1993 110 csw 200 tdi (gone)
1994 90 HT 300 tdi (gone)
1994 discovery 300tdi (gone)
90 hybrid 3.5 v8 (gone)
Range rover bobtail 3.5 v8 (gone)
Post #1042082 6th Aug 2024 5:39pm
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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5804

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
Shafski wrote:
Is the pedal firm to press? - Engine running (i.e power assist ready)..

If it is I’d be surprised by air.. could be water content in lines.. but unlikely to have that much affect from the instal, and nothing from where you previously were.

Are they new calipers? Gut feel says instal error.. either pads too big for calipers, or discs, or incorrect mix of terms for the rotor.. as such pistons can’t get the clear push - Ive had this before from a BM main dealer!!

I’m still about in the area if I can help you.. let me know Thumbs Up

Shafski


All new parts. Pads, calipers, rotors, lines. But all supplied as a kit by LOF, so should all fit together nicely. Basically, on pressing the pedal there's as much as an inch of spongy travel before getting to anything firmer, and even then there's no real bite/feedback. Might be worth a meet/beer/look. Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #1042189 8th Aug 2024 6:54am
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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5804

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
Thanks all. Basically, the pedal has almost an inch of spongy float before approaching anything resembling a bite point. And even then, braking is slow and requires a lot (a LOT) of effort on my part to get the DC to stop. I'll look through the system and check it has been fitted as mentioned here, and get back to you. Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #1042190 8th Aug 2024 6:57am
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BaronDefenders



Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 896

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Santorini Black
Another thought: are you losing vacuum to the power assist servo? They can crack with age, or I wonder if the vacuum feed is not secure. Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders
Post #1042195 8th Aug 2024 7:13am
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mark1200



Member Since: 09 Oct 2011
Location: peterborough
Posts: 74

England 2004 Defender 90 Td5 HT Caledonian Blue
this is interesting i have had the same issue, new calipers all round, new lof discs and pads all way round.
before i had very good brakes and now there fairly poor ??????
i cant get the brakes to lock up even in the wet when i really stamp on the brake pedal ?
so a new master cylinder and brake servo went in and i have a good vacuum and still poor brakes ?
i am begining to wonder if the pads are contaminated as i have used the brakes for over 600 miles now.
I do like the look of the abs servo kit from lof but want to get the brakes back to how they used to be first, maybe a call to lof to see what they have to say ?
Post #1042324 9th Aug 2024 1:33pm
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4206

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Just as an experiment, can you pick up some cheap pads from Euro Car parts or similar, chuck them in and see if there is a difference? Clean the discs with brake cleaner too to remove any contamination. That would rule your current pads in or out of the issue. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #1042327 9th Aug 2024 2:02pm
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