When The Brakes Fail
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HenriSteyn
- Location: Johannesburg
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Martin de Jager
- Location: Ekurhuleni
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So moral of the story, avoid trucks, stay on the gravel.
2011 Toyota Prado 3.0 VX,
2013 Suzuki Jimny, Ratel (larger than life),
2023 Toyota Starlet xr auto,
2019 Invader Duo.
2013 Suzuki Jimny, Ratel (larger than life),
2023 Toyota Starlet xr auto,
2019 Invader Duo.
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Paul#25
- Location: Ekurhuleni
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I had to carry out an unplanned maximum brake test with the Disco this afternoon. We were on our way to the LROC AGM at Rietvlei nature reserve, traveling on the R21 towards Pretoria. Just before the Olifantsfontein off ramp I saw an 18 wheeler truck pulling into the left yellow lane and being passed by another long flatbed truck. Suddenly I saw a complete truck wheel coming across the 4 lane highway towards the armco. Luckily there wasn't any traffic close behind me in the second from right lane as I hit the brake pedal as hard as I could. The Disco's ABS worked perfectly and it stayed straight during the braking from my cruise speed of 120 Km/h. The wheel passed in front of us on its way to hitting the center armco and I momentarily eased off the brake pedal before seeing the wheel was coming back again after bouncing off the armco. With the brakes back on fully, the wheel passed the nose of the Disco within a few meters.
A few things to take away from this incident. The wheel had come off the truck that was in the yellow line just before the off ramp started. It rolled up the grass embankment between the highway and the off ramp till it lost speed. It must have wobbled or hit something to change its trajectory to roll down the steep embankment and across the 4 lane highway. It had enough momentum and energy to cross back across the 4 lanes again. If it had hit us from either side it would have caused serious damage and possibly injured us inside. If I had hit it on the nose it would have done serious damage to the front of the Disco even with the steel bumper. What scared me was that it would most likely have gone under the Disco where it could easily have flipped the car. Staying alert to everything that is happening in front of you is crucial as the further away you can react to something that happens, the more time you have to work out your options before reaching. Braking from 120 Km/h it's always better to brake in a straight line and not swerve. The ABS and decent tires probably helped save my ass today. The rest was being aware of what was happening in the area in front of us and reacting without panic.
A few things to take away from this incident. The wheel had come off the truck that was in the yellow line just before the off ramp started. It rolled up the grass embankment between the highway and the off ramp till it lost speed. It must have wobbled or hit something to change its trajectory to roll down the steep embankment and across the 4 lane highway. It had enough momentum and energy to cross back across the 4 lanes again. If it had hit us from either side it would have caused serious damage and possibly injured us inside. If I had hit it on the nose it would have done serious damage to the front of the Disco even with the steel bumper. What scared me was that it would most likely have gone under the Disco where it could easily have flipped the car. Staying alert to everything that is happening in front of you is crucial as the further away you can react to something that happens, the more time you have to work out your options before reaching. Braking from 120 Km/h it's always better to brake in a straight line and not swerve. The ABS and decent tires probably helped save my ass today. The rest was being aware of what was happening in the area in front of us and reacting without panic.
The humble person makes room for progress; the arrogant person believes they’re already there.
2004 Disco 2 Td5
2004 Disco 2 Td5
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HenriSteyn
- Location: Johannesburg
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Pleased you guys are safe Paul.
Have you checked for brown marks on the drivers seat?
Have you checked for brown marks on the drivers seat?
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Paul#25
- Location: Ekurhuleni
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I'm hoping that the bite marks have gone away by tomorrow. Ha ha ha 
The humble person makes room for progress; the arrogant person believes they’re already there.
2004 Disco 2 Td5
2004 Disco 2 Td5
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Mad Manny
- Location: Johannesburg
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How was the LROC AGM, I heard it was short, succinct, to the point and very informative. 
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"
2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'
2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'
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Paul#25
- Location: Ekurhuleni
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I've got one that I want to fit to the Disco. I haven't done it yet because I need to remove the roof lining to pick up power from the wiring in the center area. I've got the material to recover the roof lining, so hopefully it'll happen soon.
I agree it would have been some interesting footage.
The humble person makes room for progress; the arrogant person believes they’re already there.
2004 Disco 2 Td5
2004 Disco 2 Td5
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Paul#25
- Location: Ekurhuleni
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Yeah it wasn't a long drawn-out thing, then it was time to enjoy the braai and meet some new people.
The humble person makes room for progress; the arrogant person believes they’re already there.
2004 Disco 2 Td5
2004 Disco 2 Td5