Nissan Navara - Brakes

Submitted: Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 15:34

ThreadID: 78517 Views:4165 Replies:5 FollowUps:10

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Norco

I have a 2002 3 litre turbo diesel and have had heavy duty springs fitted. After some mileage towing an off road camper the front brake pads have prematurely failed. Brake specialist here in Alice Springs has advised that when the springs were fitted, the mechanic should have readjusted the braking system using gauges to ensure that both front and back brakes were sharing the braking. This advice was based on that one of the pads metal backing plates had become detached from the pad itself due to high heat and therefore appears that the back drum brakes were not operating to their fullest. I would have thought that the vehicle system would automatically adjust the loading between front and rear bakes in line with the vehicle load being carried and or towed. It will be appreciated if anyone can shed some light on whether or not manual adjustment using gauges is required.

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Reply By: Member -Dodger - Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 16:07

Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 16:07

If the rear height of the vehicle has been altered then the load compensator must also be adjusted. This is usually a spring loaded valve over the rear axle.

I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

Cheers Dodg.

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Follow Up By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 16:13

Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 16:13

Dodger

my understanding is that the valve that you speak of is automatic and does adjust to the weight on the rear of the vehicle ...giving it more pressure on the rear brakes if the weight has been added to the rear?

it shouldnt affect the braking on the front of Norco's Navara?

my 2 cents,cheers.

FollowupID: 687002

Follow Up By: Member -Dodger - Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 16:20

Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 16:20

See reply 2. below.
This valve would be constantly holding the rear brakes off making the front brakes do all the work.

I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

Cheers Dodg.

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Follow Up By: Norco - Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 20:50

Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 20:50

Thanks for your quick reply. Have now a better understanding through responses received on what now needs to be done before setting off onto the Plenty H'Way and beyond.

FollowupID: 687041

Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 16:17

Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 16:17

Hi Norco. I am not familiar with your particular model vehicle but I do know most earlier models before ABS have a proportioning valve fitted to the rear brake system. This is normally connected to a lever or rod attached to the rear diff housing. It is activated with a standard height diff as the front of the vehicles "dives" under brakes and the rear "lifts". If you have lifted the vehicle it could be that the valve is engaged continuously. This reduces pressure to the rear brakes to prevent them locking up as the "lift" lessens the tyre grip. This may be an answer to your premature front pad wear. You may be able to alter the position of the actuator rod at the rear if it indeed has one. If not then you may have some other sort of proportioning problem. Regards, Bob.

AnswerID: 416909

Follow Up By: Norco - Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 20:46

Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 20:46

Thanks for your info, much appreciated and makes a lot of sense

FollowupID: 687040

Reply By: Andrea11 - Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 16:26

Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 16:26

Hey Norco,

It may be wise to consider swapping your current vehicle for something that is more reliable I would suggest you can't go past a Landrover Discovery for reliability.
Its been in my experience once things start to fail it's time to get rid of them...Just purely our thoughts Norco........Go Landrover and never look back.

AnswerID: 416911

Follow Up By: Ianw - Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 19:17

Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 19:17

Why would you ever consider swapping one of the most reliable vehicles around for a LANDROVER !!!! It is obvious that the brakes were not set up properly when they were modified from original. I have a 2002 Nav and it still has the original pads and shoes fitted, at 160000 ks. Only 65% worn so will last for several more years yet !!! We tow a 2 tonne van . If you modify a vehicle, you must ensure that it is done properly !!

Ian

FollowupID: 687025

Follow Up By: Andrea11 - Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 19:47

Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 19:47

Hiya Ian,

Norco and his wife are friends of mine I was just stirring them up. We have a Landrover that has given us nothing but grief......LOL

Andrea

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Follow Up By: Ianw - Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 19:51

Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 19:51

Lol with you, Andrea

Ian

FollowupID: 687034

Reply By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 16:36

Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 16:36

Norco

could be worth your while to ask around HERE ........some of these guys are on the ball as far as these things go,cheers.

AnswerID: 416913

Follow Up By: Norco - Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 20:55

Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 20:55

Thanks Mark for your quick response. Muchly appreciated.

FollowupID: 687042

Reply By: Norco - Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 20:40

Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 20:40

Thanks everyone for your replies. Greatly appreciated. The reply from Andie11 is purely tongue in cheek..having a Landrover Discovery is the reason why she is still at home and not travelling!!!

AnswerID: 416947

Follow Up By: Andrea11 - Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 21:01

Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 21:01

Now Norco,

I'm not going to get into the age old argument of what make and model 4WD is the best, but I have to say that our Landrover did get us home.......LMAO

FollowupID: 687044