Pathfinder Brake Lock-up problem

Submitted: Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 01:30

ThreadID: 49949 Views:1837 Replies:4 FollowUps:5

This Thread has been Archived

Limpy

Hi All.
Can anyone help please.
I have a 94 pathfinder which is well maintained and in pretty good knick but has a bad brake lock-up problem, particularly on wet or damp roads. At even as slow as 15 - 25 KPH, with even the slightest of pedal pressure, the left front locks up and the car becomes uncontrollable. We have done every check and test we can think of, we have skimmed the rotors and fitted new Bendix 4WD pads. Even on dry roads the fronts (LH first and then the both) lock-up when a little over "ordinary" brake pedal pressure is applied.
Someone today has suggested that replacing the flexible brake hoses may fix the problem, but has anyone else experienced this sort of problem or can anyone offer some helpful advice????

Regards, limpy.

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Kiwi Ray - Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 07:49

Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 07:49

Hi. The hose is a possibility. I suggest you change the RF first and try it.If you can get it on a brake test machine and have a play while watchinh the gauges may provide some more clues
Ray

AnswerID: 263527

Follow Up By: Member - shane (SA) - Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 10:19

Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 10:19

i had a similar problem with the 94 pathfinder, check the right hand pipe and caliper. i had a flattened rear brake line on the diff from a rock or some thing, this blocked off the fluid to that wheel and the other side kept locking up with little pressure.
hope this helps, shane.

FollowupID: 525162

Follow Up By: Limpy - Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 12:04

Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 12:04

Hi Shane, Thanks for your input. I forgot to mention in my post that I have checked all pipes and hose for visible signs of damage and I have also fitted a new kit (rubbers etc.) and thoroughly cleaned and checked both calipers. I initially suspected a possible damage in the brake pipes somewhere but very close examinations by both myself and my son cannot find any such faults (My son is a qualified mechanic and is also the manager of a K-Mart Tyre and Auto workshop).
Barry.

FollowupID: 525176

Follow Up By: Member - shane (SA) - Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 12:29

Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 12:29

have you tried blowing out lines with air?

FollowupID: 525182

Reply By: Member - Douglas M (SA) - Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 10:14

Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 10:14

Hi Limpy,
You don't say whether or not the Pathfinder has ABS. If it has then an ABS fault is most likely the problem. Have you had any work done on the brakes that may have caused the problem? Are your rear brakes working at all? Does the rear suspension have a load compensator? This could be faulty and cause the rear brakes to be ineffective thus making the fronts do all the work. In any case it sounds like a job for a brake specialist. Good luck getting it sorted.
Doug MacLennan

AnswerID: 263560

Follow Up By: Limpy - Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 12:11

Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 12:11

Hi Doug, No the Pathfinder doesn't have ABS nor does it have a load compensator. As I said to Shane, My son is a qualified mechanic and while he is not a brake specialist he is pretty capable, but it has him beat. I'm beginning to think your comment about a brake specialist might have to be a next resort.
Thanks for your help.
Regards, Barry.

FollowupID: 525177

Reply By: donks1 - Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 10:22

Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 10:22

being a '94 i doubt it has ABS. first place i'd look would be the brake hoses. there was actually a recall on these years ago. maybe yours missed out. also check the calliper slide pins move freely

donks

AnswerID: 263564

Follow Up By: Limpy - Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 12:26

Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 12:26

Hi Donks,
you may have hit the nail on the head if there was a recall on the hoses. The previous and only other owner of the car was a rather naive lady driver who lived in a Melbourne North Western suburb and judging from conversations we had with her after we bought the car, I don't think she would have recognized the significance of a recall and it would surprise me if she would have had the work done. As I have said earlier, we have thoroughly checked over the calipers (including the slide pins) and I am beginning to think that the hoses will be the next thing we replace (there isn't much else that we haven't replaced or checked) and then as Doug suggests, a brake specialist if that doesn't work.

Thanks for your help and suggestions.
Regards, Barry.

FollowupID: 525179