By Roverine on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 10:00 am: Edit

I was talking to someone else with the exact same year (2001) and set up that I have on our Disco2 - SE7, no ACE, but do have SLS. The subject of CDL came up, because this person said they recently had a horrible experience with the ETC (electronic traction control) and ABS system - Said they were in Colorado with family in vehicle, and they took a hill and couldn't get up it with the ETC. (BTW: these people offroad professionally). Said that they went to back down the hill, and when they depreesed the brake, ..nothing. They then proceeded to roll back down at "25 mph". I asked what about Hill Descent Control, and they said "didn't work - disengages when you hit the brake". My question: (Would anyone care to speculate) Should they/could they have put it in park first, (but how without the brake?) then tried Hill Descent Control? Afterward, they disconnected the fuse for ABS, but when you do that you also lose ETC. I know CDL would be a great help, (I'm used to driving with diffs locked on my old beater) but what if I don't have CDL? What do you do on a steep hill that you need to take another run at? I've seen a few threads on debates over ABS offroad. Has anyone had any similar experiences with their Disco2 offroad?

Kim

By Brian on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 10:41 am: Edit

I've had that happen to me several times and it's been the topic of hot debate on the D2 list. I believe it's because of the front biased brakes.(can't remember % difference) When you back down and it's steep and slippery, the fronts will lock while the rear wheels roll. Not good. Not sure what other solutions there are other than locking the CD.

Brian

By cyson on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 11:19 am: Edit

When i don't have CDL engaged, I generally have to smash the brakes pretty hard to get any response in such situations. Just don't get too sideways.

Hill Descent doesn't do much for me. It's supposed to work in reverse, but I usually don't like to back up at the speeds that it kicks in. Too fast for my slow reflexes.

Overall, I still have a hard time understanding how/why LR would have let this one go. I'm sure they got freaked out backing down while testing. Makes no sense at all.


chu

By Roverine on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 11:34 am: Edit

Yeah, I was afraid of this answer ... So; ... in essense, if I don't lock my center diff, the answer is I need to wear adult diapers. (I will put that on my recovery gear list).

Kim
PS- what about using the hand brake? (I know this can be tricky...)

By Brian on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 11:52 am: Edit

Correct me if I am wrong, but the e-brake is not a friction brake, thus you can not modulate the brakes...I think.

Brian

By ZPukajlo on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 03:08 pm: Edit

The hand brake is for the transmission. Yank on it while the vehicle is moving means you will have some very bad tranny problems. On my D1, you need to smash the pedal to get the ABS to engage. That's fine by me. There are times when you want the brakes to lock up. Anyway, if you don't trust the ETC and HDC on yours then get the CDL kit and forget about it. Hope this helps some!

Zane

By chuanchen on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 04:23 pm: Edit

My experience, too, is you'll need to smash the brake pedal (duration depends) to get ABS to engage. The key is you must keep the vehicle away from sideway.

chuanchen

By Steve (Steve2) on Saturday, September 15, 2001 - 06:45 am: Edit

kim-

that DEPENDS! ha ha ha ha ha....cough

steve

By chuanchen on Saturday, September 15, 2001 - 01:30 pm: Edit

Steve

You're right. that really depends!

chuanchen

By Roverine on Saturday, September 15, 2001 - 03:47 pm: Edit

I know, I know ...LOL

I made preliminary arrangements yesterday to order just the tiny parts to hook up a lever of some sort to the CD. Will run a rudimentary pull type lever out under truck to just under passenger side ... As much as I would LOVE one, I can't afford the CDL Kit (that has links up into cab) right now. Can't install it myself, and unless I can find the used parts on my own, (could be hard to find) the prices I've been qouted have been astronomical. I know someone else with the more rudimentary set up - seems to work fine so far. Down side is "we'll" (i.e. husband, most likely LOL) have to get out of vehicle and slide a little under truck. I think I'd feel better with it, than without it. We'll have to see .....

Kim
Will keep the Depends handy in "recovery gear" anyway.