Nodge68
Well-Known Member
60 is nothing for a Freelander, even the L series will do about 90Mph. The 1.8 K and TD4 will do about 100 Mph. The V6 will do almost 115 Mph, although not for long as the fuel will soon run out.
60 is nothing for a Freelander, even the L series will do about 90Mph. The 1.8 K and TD4 will do about 100 Mph. The V6 will do almost 115 Mph, although not for long as the fuel will soon run out.
Stuart hall
Active Member
60 is nothing for a Freelander, even the L series will do about 90Mph. The 1.8 K and TD4 will do about 100 Mph. The V6 will do almost 115 Mph, although not for long as the fuel will soon run out.
Hi Nodge, I was just having a joke with Grumpy. I get Phoebe up to 100 kph which sounds impressive but it's only just over 60 mph ! She's definitely not happy over that speed and to be honest there's no need to go faster here.
As you know the test here is very basic, it always feels she's not planted on the tarmac, steering is very vague, feels like the tyres are over inflated and just feels like she's top heavy and about to roll over.
I'm sure it's to do with all the 4x4 system being removed, no complaints we love her to bits.
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
I did say its the limit - not that I got to it
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
60 is nothing for a Freelander, even the L series will do about 90Mph. The 1.8 K and TD4 will do about 100 Mph. The V6 will do almost 115 Mph, although not for long as the fuel will soon run out.
I don't think I would have got to 60 on that stretch of road, far to steep and twisty.
Out on more "normal" roads though she's more than happy at 100kmh - she's far happier at 100 than 50. I've never taken her anywhere the limit, I may have had her up to 125kmh and she's always felt sound - its only been the law that's brought my speed down.
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
Something doesn't sound right. A Freelander doesn't wollow much in the bends although the later ones are better, but they alll have pretty precise steering. All the Freelander's I've had over the years have been well sorted in the road manners department. They don't feel unsafe at any legal speed and well above legal too.
You might want to check the condition of the ball joints and bushes if it's as bad as you describe.
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Stuart hall
Active Member
Cheers, as said going in for service soon so will ask them to check basic safety items, although doubt it would have passed test if really bad.
100 kph is speed limit here ( 62 mph ? ) never dared to go faster as shakes n rattles so much.
PAS is really light, with no real feel, new front tyres made no difference. brakes marginal in my opinion, have to give a good push when going down a steep hill, to be honest seen better discs, but does feel top heavy and unstable.
Remember I've never driven one before and all the 4 x 4 has been removed which must affect braking and handling ?
100 kph is speed limit here ( 62 mph ? ) never dared to go faster as shakes n rattles so much.
PAS is really light, with no real feel, new front tyres made no difference. brakes marginal in my opinion, have to give a good push when going down a steep hill, to be honest seen better discs, but does feel top heavy and unstable.
Remember I've never driven one before and all the 4 x 4 has been removed which must affect braking and handling ?
Alibro
Well-Known Member
I've never had a Freelander feel top heavy, they should handle well even with the propshaft off. Something not right there.
Brakes on the other hand are pretty woeful on the pre 2000 cars.
Stuart hall
Active Member
I'll have to look underneath, it's going in soon as mechanic ? Wants to check what engine mount has gone.
I'm sure when I looked there's nothing left of 4 wd system but maybe can take a photo and post it later.
And to be fair the brake discs look well scored to me, it passed the rolling road brake test though.
I'm sure when I looked there's nothing left of 4 wd system but maybe can take a photo and post it later.
And to be fair the brake discs look well scored to me, it passed the rolling road brake test though.
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
The brakes are probably the thing I've worked most on on mine. I've replaced the ABS pump/modulator twice, front discs and obviously pads, and completely renewed the rear brakes - just waiting for the master cylinder to go now
When I've done the ABS pump, one bleed of the brakes has not been enough - they were very ropey. I had to do a 2nd complete bleed to get them working "well", it took a couple of bottles of fluid. I say "well" because I've been driving it now for almost 8 years so its what I've become accustom to. Before that it was a number of years driving Discovery, and they don't exactly stop on a sixpence! I think they perform OK, but I'm glad of the seat belt in my daughter's car when I drive it, cos each time I touch the brakes I almost send myself through the windscreen
Stuart hall
Active Member
I think I'd have to hit something large and heavy to put me through the windscreen !
I'm lucky to drive my Audi , discs on the rear etc, think as usual they were trying to save money by using drums on the rear.
The steering on phoebe is like my old yank.
Can drive with one finger and turn lock to lock. When I went back recently and drove the Audi I thought the PAS had failed !
So dry here doubt theres any water in the fluid, brakes are rock hard, they just don't stop !
As said will slowly work my way through all problems as I'm not feeling at all suicidal at the moment.
I'm lucky to drive my Audi , discs on the rear etc, think as usual they were trying to save money by using drums on the rear.
The steering on phoebe is like my old yank.
Can drive with one finger and turn lock to lock. When I went back recently and drove the Audi I thought the PAS had failed !
So dry here doubt theres any water in the fluid, brakes are rock hard, they just don't stop !
As said will slowly work my way through all problems as I'm not feeling at all suicidal at the moment.
Alibro
Well-Known Member
The older Freelanders (pre 00 or 01 with the Di engine) had brakes that were worse than useless unless you were used to them. My Mrs drove the car all the time and didn't notice any issue but when she got in my car (Renault Megan company car) she nearly put us all through the windscreen.
When I drove the the Freelander I nearly ran into the back of other cars.
The newer Freelanders have good (normal) brakes.
Stuart hall
Active Member
Yes thanks for that, I recently decoded my vin and mines a 2000.
Will see how much new discs are here, dont think I can bring in hand luggage lol.
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
I was in quite deep discussions with that Ex Pat Portuguese Di owner a while back. He was planning on doing the later brake upgrade on his. I went to great lengths to find all the part numbers and information he needed. It's definitely possible to improve the poor brakes on the Di. Sadly I've no idea if this particular project ever got done, as that forum member disappeared in unpleasant circumstances.
Stuart hall
Active Member
I'm sure if I replaced discs with the best available, maybe upgraded ones and pads to match that would improve things.
Off to the garage so he can check on engine mount.
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't be so sure, @htr spent good money buying drilled "uprated" discs for his pre MY01 Freelander to try and improve them and I don't think it made any difference. In fact, I believe the brakes on mine running the standard setup worked better than his.
I have wondered about maybe swapping some of the bits off my 2001 parts car onto mine - specifically the bigger servo (or what ever its called), but it hasn't worried me enough to actually do it, as I say, I'm reasonably happy with their performance (although maybe I shouldn't be!).
Stuart hall
Active Member
Was going to take photo of the discs but forgot lol.
Their very rusty and scored which cant help. Found an old anchor on the beach so will put it to good use !
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
The later vented brakes are 50% better than the non vented early brakes. The discs are larger in diameter which gives greater mechanical advantage and the servo boost ratio is twice that of the early single chamber version. The rear brakes are larger too, but most of the braking is done at the front.
Alibro
Well-Known Member
They work but require a bit more effort than we are used to these days, might be a bit cheaper to start a squat regime.
Like I said SWMBO had no issue stopping her Di but then she has very strong legs.
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
The Flintstones braking system springs to mind
