Isuzu Trooper Owners Club UK™

craig_007 · Newbie Joined: 12 Jul 2011 Posts: 4 Location: Scotland

Hi all,

I have a 1999 V plate trooper, It's a 3.0td.

Now I appear to be having brake issues that are really noticeable in the wet.

If I brake a little harder than usuall the front seems to lock up easier than I would have expected, If I'm pulling a transporter trailer the front locks up and the trailer just pushes the 4x4 on.

Now I've renewed the rear discs pads and handbrake shoes, I've checked the load valve and it's fine, Is there anything else I have missed ?

I thought there wasn't enough pressure going to the rear or maybe a compensator valve for the front that was maybe faulty ?

Google · Sponsor

TrooperDan · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 20:34 Post subject:

i'd be looking at the trailer brakes first and then look at your front tyres
_________________
www.independentisuzu.co.uk

Da Gregsta · ** Joined: 11 Jul 2011 Posts: 76 Location: Kent

Second Dannys thoughts on the trailer brakes...
Theoretically the trailer should do its own braking, such that you should only notice a slight increase in braking distance. It certainly sounds like your trailer brakes arent helping you much.
Another thought could be how you load the trailer. Always ensure you have plenty of nose weight, as if the nose is too light the tendancy is for it to lift the rear of your car, and then the compensator will shift the braking more to your front wheels.

craig_007 · Newbie Joined: 12 Jul 2011 Posts: 4 Location: Scotland

I've checked the trailer brakes and adjusted as required.

I still have the same braking problems without the trailer it's just the trailer makes it more noticeable.

Rhanagar · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:02 Post subject:

I would then look towards the front tyres and bleeding the braking system. The brake fluid could be old and airated and therefore on the longer runs is compressing and therefore not applying the rear brakes as much as it should.
_________________
1990 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.I 2.8TD Manual Lotus Edition
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto Lotus Edition

Deceased
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto LS

TrooperDan · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:04 Post subject:

shouldn't the ABS kick in ?

In theory if the brakes are locking up, the weakest link is the tyre. get a mate to watch you do a full stamp on the brakes and see if the rears lock up as well. (in a safe place). The rear calipers could be seized (common issue) which means you exert more braking force to stop and the fronts become overloaded.

Keep us posted
_________________
www.independentisuzu.co.uk

craig_007 · Newbie Joined: 12 Jul 2011 Posts: 4 Location: Scotland

Brake fluid has never been changed in my ownership (4years)

I did renew the back brakes and unsiezed the piston/slides but maybe there not working correctly.

When I look at the rear discs there appears to be a contact patch around the outside of the disc with the inner 20mm towards the hub with rust/water marks where the pad isn't do anything !

Would this be bad enough to cause the braking problem ?

Rhanagar · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 13:41 Post subject:

The contact pad should be the same size as the pad itself ... shows as even pressure by the pad on the disck. I would whip the calipers off and see if they are siezed or binding. An indication way to tell is to lift the wheel up off the ground get your mate to sit inside the truck (all with the engine off) and see if you can turn the wheel with the brake pedal pressed. It should be rock solid.

Remember when lubricating brake sliders ... use with motorcycle rubber grease on the rubber to slider ... not copperslip. Copperslip should only ever be used on metal to metal surfaces. Copperslip makes rubber swell with heat and that leads to the slider binding.
_________________
1990 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.I 2.8TD Manual Lotus Edition
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto Lotus Edition

Deceased
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto LS

chikoroll · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 15:37 Post subject:

i suspect too much ball down weight, fit a weight distributer hitch,

aside from that - the trailer brakes clearly arn't working sufficiently either - if anything, the trailer should provide additional braking, enough slow the 4x4 down

what tyre pressure are you running, and how is your tread?

...
seized callipers - get them working, and grease them
unevenly worn brake pads - fit new pads, and adjust to align
air in the brake lines - new brake fluid and bleed the system
squishy brake lines - fit new brake lines, new brake fluid and bleed the system
_________________
98 Holden Jackaroo LWB, 3.5L Petrol (in Australia)
97 Isuzu Trooper SWB, 3.1T/D (in UK)
94 Isuzu Bighorn LWB, 3.1T/D (UK)
98 Holden Jackaroo LWB, 3.0T/D (Australia)
94 Holden Jackaroo LWB, 3.1T/D (Australia)

craig_007 · Newbie Joined: 12 Jul 2011 Posts: 4 Location: Scotland

There is still a good bit tread left on the front tyres, No where near the limit marker.

I'm not 100% sure on pressure to be honest.

What pressure should I be looking for ?

chikoroll · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 17:53 Post subject:

depends, are you running LT tyres (will be labelled as 245/70r16LT on the tyre) or passenger tyres?

at a minimum, 30 front, 33 rear, unloaded - isuzu state 30 front, 35 rear
i prefer to run LT's with 38front and rear, but depending on your suspension, and location (cobblestones?), this may be too harsh a ride (and too high for the passenger (P) tyres)

am i right to assume highway terrains also? (muddies are rubbish for towing or heavy loads on the road)
_________________
98 Holden Jackaroo LWB, 3.5L Petrol (in Australia)
97 Isuzu Trooper SWB, 3.1T/D (in UK)
94 Isuzu Bighorn LWB, 3.1T/D (UK)
98 Holden Jackaroo LWB, 3.0T/D (Australia)
94 Holden Jackaroo LWB, 3.1T/D (Australia)

markymoan · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 18:48 Post subject:

It could be warped front disks Idea

If it is you could feel a light pulsing through the pedal when braking lightly.
TBH when it comes to brakes I would be nipping to an MOT station and sticking it on the rolling road Wink

_________________