Lagondaforum

Subject: Rapide brakes

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Sadly my Rapide's garage took in some water over the wet winter, with the result that all the brake pistons seized solid in the cylinders. The original Dunlops, 2 1/8 at the front (same as Jaguar Mark 9) and 1 3/4 rear, are like hen's teeth and priced accordingly. So I have chosen to upgrade to modern braking technology as developed for the historic Jaguar competition world in replacing the 4 brakes. With all the usual disclaimers about having no connection with the company, I am happy to recommend Fosseway Performance as my suppliers, based near Moreton-in-Marsh

Subject: Re: Rapide brakes

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The 1964 Rover 2000 my parents owned for many years had Dunlop brakes, which were forever plagued with rust in the cylinders. One was so bad that we had to buy new. The new one was (nickel?) plated. The plating wasn't great...but we never had any rust problems with that cylinder. Could be a thought for improving original cylinders.

Laurence

Subject: Re: Rapide brakes

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As alternative is to ream out the cylinders and shrink fit stainless steel inserts. Not an option with the Rapide as the pistons are well and truly rusted solid

Subject: Re: Rapide brakes

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I thought you would have sorted the water problem in your garage by now ?

Is the old girl back up and running and stopping fine ?

Simon

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Subject: Re: Rapide brakes

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Hi Simon, well the garage had a new roof and door in 2014 but in flood conditions there's no way to stop water getting under the door. Car should get it's MOT Tuesday or Wednesday. Have also had to replace the starter motor pinion which broke in 3 pieces, not for the first time. Fortunately was able to use my Land Rover to pull the car out of the garage to a position where it could be winched forwards into the trailer. Brought the tow from the rear axle out through the valence between the exhaust pipes to avoid crushing the panel. Front tow round the cross member to avoid overstressing the wishbone mounts

My car's engine was rebuilt to quite tight tolerances but within spec, and I toyed with the idea of fitting a new lightweight high torque starter motor to overcome any consequent stiffness, but didn't in the end

Subject: Re: Rapide brakes

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Car got its MOT yesterday, collected this morning. 11 hours of labour to fix problems and do annual service

If anyone else goes down the historic Jaguar brakes route, you should know that the taper on the Rapide's front disc is different to the Jaguar Mark 9 set up, meaning that the new cylinders need a very slight adjustment to fit the Rapide without binding on the disc. Now I think we have uneven servo performance...

Car going very well though after in effect 9 months idleness. Just in time to enjoy the summer sunshine!

Subject: Re: Rapide brakes

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You have summer sunshine ? Please send some down to us in London ..

Hope the car is going well aside from the brakes!

Simon

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Subject: Re: Rapide brakes

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Latest situation, uneven servo performance was actually one of the flexible brake pipes acting as a non return valve so one or more brakes were binding a bit, but not a great deal as the car would still creep in D at idle. So new flexible pipes all round (front and rear) thanks to ASD who got the new pipes to my garage inside 24 hours. Now the car is going and stopping properly

Subject: Re: Rapide brakes

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Drove the Rapide today for the first time in 6 months. New brakes are excellent even after that layoff, no squeal or pull just even and effective retardation. No flooding in the garage this winter just gone, such a difference!

Subject: Re: Rapide brakes

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Drove the Rapide for 2 hours ish today, and no warmth in the wheel bearings at all. Properly sorted. MOT next month courtesy of Wren Classics who'll do some other work too