X BRAKE OVER STANDARD HANDBRAKE

[muddydisco]

What are the X brake like towards the standard system. Friend asked me to put a post up

                       cheers muddydisco

[clbarclay]

What are the X brake like towards the standard system.

What as in does it bully drum brakes and call them names or get along well having fun together?


Less of being a literalist :roll: .
The only people i know that have them, fitted them when the drum brake was ****ed and in need of a total overhall anyway so a direct before and after comparison is not really a fair test. They do work well, though can you justify the cost? New drum brake shoes cheap and rebuilding a transmission drum brake is not too hard a job.

[Range Rover Blues]

I rebuilt Julies TDi with the direct entry cable. new cable, greased everything, had it completely stioped and cleaned.  It's still s***, though not as s*** as before.  Funny because the one on the LSE is exclent, probably becasue it's had so much less use being an auto.

So if yo had one like new, like my LSE then they should be fine, but if you've got one like Julie's then I don't balme you for taking it off and stamping on it.

[Hightower]

I'm most impressed with mine.

My handbrake did need an overhaul anyway as it had suffered from years of mud and dust.  Figured that I'd spend that bit extra and not have any problems in the future  

The X-Brake needs less effort to apply, and therefore will stretch the cable less.  That should mean less adjustment over time as well.  Worth it IMHO.

[Leslie Henson]

I have fitted an X-brake and re built standard hand brakes. Generally speaking there is less effort needed to apply more holding force on the hand brake. For a vehicle that's only used on the road, then the X-brake is not really necessary in my opinion. However - off road is where this mechanism shines through. Stripping the standard drum brake almost every time you got out for a play becomes something of a chore, just jet washing the disc brake set-up is far better. Replacing the expander unit and brake shoes is not really that much cheaper than buying an x-brake.
The x-brake I fitted last week holds the vehicle on a steep hill with just two clicks.


Les.

[muddyjames]

Matt_h actually bought a defender one for his dicso and made diagrams of how it needs to be set up for a disco and sent them to X brake.

He was very impressed with it. I have no idea how much they cost though. Can someone enlighten me?

My hand brake is useless since a pay and play day and it just holds on the last click. Luckily it is an auto though so doesnt really need a handbrake except for an mot!!!!

How easy is it to clean out a disco normal break?

[spy]

Its not complicated but is an arse of a job.  Getting the drum off is the problem, prop off first and then like me you will probably find that the adjuster is seized solid.  Getting the drum off with the shoes adjusted up is a nitemare.  I borrowed the pit at work and it was still a pain, dont think I would have managed on my back.  

I cleaned it out, freed off the adjuster and replaced the expander.  Took it offroad twice and its half way to being as scewed as it was before!

[muddyjames]

I had a quick look a few weeks ago and thought it wasnt a hours job. I have 4 ramps so can get the landy up slightly higher!!!

My break is still free to move so hopefuly not too bad on siezing etc. Famous last words

I think P on the auto box will work for now!! The hand brake works on the very last click!!

How easy is a X brake to plumb in then?

[fatusbloke]

Fitted mine sat afternoon, did exactly what it said on the tin, about hour to fit-laid on back on driveway-, and works superb, buy one and not have to worry again :lol:

[stefan]

Definately go for it, have one on my 90, definately a fit and forget. Took about an hour to fit.

Stef