One of those things that a long time owner of a P38a may get too comfortable with are spongy brakes. I did not realize how bad the brakes had become until I fired up the old girl last month. The brake pedal travel has two distinctly different travel feels. The top 1/3 of the pedal for me was really soft with almost no effect on braking. It was only when I got to the bottom 2/3 of the pedal travel when I got any real braking force.
I bleed the brakes using the Falcon Works ABS protocol. http://www.falconworks.net/abs/ The protocol is a more elaborate version of the RAVE manual. I was not successful with the RAVE bellding procedure but the Falcon Works document was a huge help. Getting Comfortable with WABCO ABS brakes, Range Rover 1990 to 2002
I also replaced the Internal ABS Brake Modulator seals and plastic parts with the BMR kit from Russell Botha at Range Rover Solutions. The kit is simple but the end results were very promising. This is that kit that replaces those fragile brittle plastic washers with stainless steel washers.
I now have a huge improvement in the brake pedal feel. The pedal only moves about 0.5 inches before I get pressure. It is almost as good as my L322 Range Rover brake system.
The overall procedure required a complete removal of the ABS brake modulator, replacment of many internal master cylinder seals and plastic washers, and flush of the entire brake fluid system. The brake fluid was so bad. I had no idea until I got the old fluid out of the system. There was so much debris and sediment. The screen that feeds the ABS pump was also clogged. It was good to get that all cleaned out. The internal ABS modulator screens were also clogged up. So overall a huge improvement.
I highly recomend that everyone at least pulls the tank off of the ABS modulator, cleans it out and flush the entire system. And since you already have to do a complete flush of the and bleed of the system, you may as well dive right into the ABS modulator rebuild with the BMR rebuild kit. You will be glad that you did. There was so much debris. Now I have a safe car again.
I can now drive without constantly thinking how long would it take to stop with the Hand Brake and gears. :shock:
I bleed the brakes using the Falcon Works ABS protocol. http://www.falconworks.net/abs/ The protocol is a more elaborate version of the RAVE manual. I was not successful with the RAVE bellding procedure but the Falcon Works document was a huge help. Getting Comfortable with WABCO ABS brakes, Range Rover 1990 to 2002
I also replaced the Internal ABS Brake Modulator seals and plastic parts with the BMR kit from Russell Botha at Range Rover Solutions. The kit is simple but the end results were very promising. This is that kit that replaces those fragile brittle plastic washers with stainless steel washers.
I now have a huge improvement in the brake pedal feel. The pedal only moves about 0.5 inches before I get pressure. It is almost as good as my L322 Range Rover brake system.
The overall procedure required a complete removal of the ABS brake modulator, replacment of many internal master cylinder seals and plastic washers, and flush of the entire brake fluid system. The brake fluid was so bad. I had no idea until I got the old fluid out of the system. There was so much debris and sediment. The screen that feeds the ABS pump was also clogged. It was good to get that all cleaned out. The internal ABS modulator screens were also clogged up. So overall a huge improvement.
I highly recomend that everyone at least pulls the tank off of the ABS modulator, cleans it out and flush the entire system. And since you already have to do a complete flush of the and bleed of the system, you may as well dive right into the ABS modulator rebuild with the BMR rebuild kit. You will be glad that you did. There was so much debris. Now I have a safe car again.
I can now drive without constantly thinking how long would it take to stop with the Hand Brake and gears. :shock:
. After rebuilding my pump, replacing the accumulator, I might as well tear into it and replace the washer's too. Then I won't have anything to worry about until another problem pops up a day later :roll: .
