Brake Problem?

[jps71]

Hi Guys

I decide to go and playing the snow today in my new toy :)

It is excellent in getting through the snow and slush etc even though the back end stepped out twice going round slow 90% bends.

THe brakes are spot on when braking on tarmac but I found when braking on a few inches of snow that I could feel a grinding juddering through the brake pedal.

I thought at first it was just the abs but now I am not sure.

A couple of times I only pressed the pedal half an inch and I got the juddering grinding feel.

once the pedal even seemed to be solid.

Also there appeared to be some snaking of the front end whilst braking.

As I say though the brakes where again spot on as soon as I got on to tarmac not even the mildest of twitches or juddering.

It has only just passed its mot so I guess the discs and pads should all be fine.

Brilliant to drive in the snow but not impressed with what happens when I try to stop.

Any suggestions guys ?

[Mstock3]

Like you I went playing in the snow and my RAV did exactly the same, doesn't feel very good but I think its a combination of ABS and the wheels locking up and juddering over the compacted snow.

[bothwell_buyer]

abs I'd reckon and no big thing to worry about - we have ice and snow = odd road conditions.

[jps71]

abs I'd reckon and no big thing to worry about - we have ice and snow = odd road conditions.

Its a bit of a worry though because I need to know what my brakes will do all of the time.

I have 8-9 miles of single track road before I reach the main road.

With drainahe ditches on both sides of the road in some places having steep slopes to the sea on one side with no drainage ditches.

[local hero]

abs I'd reckon and no big thing to worry about - we have ice and snow = odd road conditions.

Its a bit of a worry though because I need to know what my brakes will do all of the time.

I have 8-9 miles of single track road before I reach the main road.

With drainahe ditches on both sides of the road in some places having steep slopes to the sea on one side with no drainage ditches.

Don't worry sounds perfectly normal to me as Mstock says a combo of ABS + snow, mine does the same, also its fairly common for the handbrake to freeze on in severe weather, its advisable if parking overnight to leave in gear with handbrake off, obviously where its safe to do so The ravs are very good in snow, but still need treating with respect, by all means have some fun in an empty car park or open space,but on dangerous roads such as you describe i would be very careful a 2 ton vehicle will still slide on ice whether its 4x4 or not, Stew

[anchorman]

The ABS will prevent the wheels from locking and that allows you to steer the vehicle on low friction surfaces. Obviously, if the friction is very low the ABS pump may start to work (modulate) at very low pressure and it tells you it is working by generating a vibration on the pedal. It tends to keep checking and changing as the wheels grip them lose grip so it can tend to wander a bit but despite these vagaries it is actually offering much better control than locked wheels which would merely allow gravity to take the vehicle where it wants and that is usually to whatever is downhill from where you are (ditches can often be found on the other side of fences and walls and it won't let them get in the way!!!).

Next time you go out to play, I suggest you take it into an open car park or area where you can get used to it by keep pressing harder and then introducing some shallow turns etc. Also try pressing as hard as you can on the barke and you will see that if it needs to take a very long time to stop it will do. That is a bit unnerving at first but it is the only way it can keep you in control and it IS working as it should.

[jps71]

Thanks for the info guys :)

Thats one less worry.

Just been out and slowly getting used to it found its better to let the engine do the braking down slopes.

No large open spaces to practice on near here (the supermarket is 40 miles away)so have to learn as your driving along.

Cheers Jim

[bothwell_buyer]

Don't you use Shetland ponies?? :lol:

[jps71]

Don't you use Shetland ponies?? :lol:

With the price of diesel up here £1.38ltr I might have to consider getting a couple of ponies lol

[bothwell_buyer]

Don't you use Shetland ponies?? :lol:

With the price of diesel up here £1.38ltr I might have to consider getting a couple of ponies lol

Just feed them V-Power !