I've seen a few disc upgrades discussed, but can't find any calliper only or servo only upgrades - anyone know of any that are worthwhile? I use the car mostly for towing a caravan - its no worse with the van on because the van brakes work well !

The FL2 brakes are a bit shocking really and swapping from any other car I nearly over-run the first junction I come to! I don't think they are faulty - always been a bit like this.

I don't see that new discs and pads will help because neither are worn to their limit or anything like. I have got a full set of OE discs and pads, but at 45,000 miles I don't think they are needed.

I do have some ceramic rear pads, but I will start a new thread about those.

I have to say that the brakes on my Freelander are superb, very powerful and effective. I'd suggest that if yours are so poor there is an underlying cause. Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

have you replaced the brake fluid ?

Agree , there is an underlying cause if you are experiencing braking problems .

One thing I have done as my car is 12 years old is to replace the rubber brake hoses twice , last year with Goodridge braided hoses £100 a set from Maltings Off-road Rubber hoses are often found on vehicle maintenance schedules as components with a service life , and are one of the most frequently ignored items causing braking deterioration . Secondly the obvious which you have probably covered is brake fluid , when was it changed and is a premium quality ? . Also worth a look are the callipers themselves , single pot sliding callipers , is everything free and moving as it should do ? corroded piston dragging etc ? After that if you have poor braking performance as ‘Bob’ says underlying hydraulic problems

With respect to “ ceramic “ pads , they are OE equipment all round on Subaru . The main benefit is that you don’t get filthy muck all over the wheels and callipers which is a good thing . The braking performance will not be superior like for like . I have always kept them OE on the Scooby despite £80 a set . 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

Bobupndown wrote:

I have to say that the brakes on my Freelander are superb, very powerful and effective. I'd suggest that if yours are so poor there is an underlying cause.

Try doing a full break service, you may not need to replace callipers and discs.

Hi,

As all have said above don’t think you need an upgrade
But
More of a service or overhaul
Pads could be Glazed or contaminated as another cause

 .
my first ever FL2 and I did keep it longer than most other cars!
But its now gone way up Norf

I would totally agree with a full braking system overhaul,
I've towed over 3tonne with mine and not had a problem stopping,
although speed was restricted on the test track to 30 mph,
I have always had confidence in my braking system. DAVE.

Nodge68 wrote:

Bobupndown wrote:

I have to say that the brakes on my Freelander are superb, very powerful and effective. I'd suggest that if yours are so poor there is an underlying cause.

I'd suggest so too.
I replaced all front and rear friction components over Christmas, rotors, calipers, pads and parking brake shoes, the brakes are now excellent, easily as good as our year old Mazda CX5.

riverblanche wrote:

Hi,

As all have said above don’t think you need an upgrade
But
More of a service or overhaul
Pads could be Glazed or contaminated as another cause

jules wrote:

Nodge68 wrote:

Bobupndown wrote:

I have to say that the brakes on my Freelander are superb, very powerful and effective. I'd suggest that if yours are so poor there is an underlying cause.

I'd suggest so too.
I replaced all front and rear friction components over Christmas, rotors, calipers, pads and parking brake shoes, the brakes are now excellent, easily as good as our year old Mazda CX5.

Did you replace the flexible hoses? If so what what brand ?

MartynB wrote:

Agree , there is an underlying cause if you are experiencing braking problems .

One thing I have done as my car is 12 years old is to replace the rubber brake hoses twice , last year with Goodridge braided hoses £100 a set from Maltings Off-road Rubber hoses are often found on vehicle maintenance schedules as components with a service life , and are one of the most frequently ignored items causing braking deterioration . Secondly the obvious which you have probably covered is brake fluid , when was it changed and is a premium quality ? . Also worth a look are the callipers themselves , single pot sliding callipers , is everything free and moving as it should do ? corroded piston dragging etc ? After that if you have poor braking performance as ‘Bob’ says underlying hydraulic problems

With respect to “ ceramic “ pads , they are OE equipment all round on Subaru . The main benefit is that you don’t get filthy muck all over the wheels and callipers which is a good thing . The braking performance will not be superior like for like . I have always kept them OE on the Scooby despite £80 a set .

I replaced my brake lines with stainless steel when I did my brakes. For me it just made sense as I keep a vehicle for a while. They were shipped out of the UK or Europe.....I can't remember the make but they are well made. Next time I replace my brake fluid, I'll likely use Motul 5.1.

Last edited by MotionInc on 7th Mar 2021 12:05 am. Edited 1 time in total

Nodge68 wrote:

jules wrote:

Nodge68 wrote:

Bobupndown wrote:

I have to say that the brakes on my Freelander are superb, very powerful and effective. I'd suggest that if yours are so poor there is an underlying cause.

I'd suggest so too.
I replaced all front and rear friction components over Christmas, rotors, calipers, pads and parking brake shoes, the brakes are now excellent, easily as good as our year old Mazda CX5.

Did you replace the flexible hoses? If so what what brand ?

Yes. Pagid iirc, not expensive, and well worth the money.
In my experience, at around 10 years, calipers begin to seize, which increases pedal pressure, and reduces brake efficiency. By this time, the rotors will also be shot, so it's simply easier to replace everything. I think a 10 year, a full refresh of everything exposed to the elements is really beneficial, and using AF for the parts, really isn't that expensive either.

[quote="DirtyDuck"]

MartynB wrote:

Brake fluid is about 18 months old. Always use the best Dot5 that is compatible.

Some ideas here though.

I have an Outback - brakes are great on that, but its 2 years old not six