Safe working practices (Freelander 1)

If possible, use inspection pits or lifts to perform work from underneath the vehicle. Raise the vehicle with a jack only if there are none. Place wheel chocks under the vehicle's wheels and apply the parking brake.

Lifting a car with a jack

Only lift the vehicle using the designated areas on the vehicle body. The designated jacking locations are listed in the JACKING AND TOWING section of the INFORMATION chapter.

Make sure the lifting device is rated for the weight of the vehicle.

Only lift the vehicle when it is on a level surface.

Apply the parking brake and place wheel chocks under the wheels.

CAUTION: Do not work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always support the vehicle with safety stands.

Do not leave tools or lifting equipment in the repair area. Spilled oil must be cleaned up immediately. Keep the service center premises clean and tidy.

Brake pads and linings

Install brake pads on the vehicle that are specified by the manufacturer. When replacing brake pads, all brake pads located on the same axle must be replaced.

Hydraulic brake system

When working on the brake system, follow these instructions:

• When loosening or tightening brake pipes or brake hose nuts, always use two wrenches.
• Make sure the hoses are free of kinks and knots.
• Attach the brake pipes to the provided mounting brackets. After fastening, the pipes must not touch moving parts of the body.
• Containers for draining and storing brake fluid must be absolutely clean.
• Do not store brake fluid in unsealed containers. In this case, the fluid will absorb water from the surrounding air, which will lower its boiling point.
• Do not allow brake fluid to come into contact with mineral oils. Do not drain brake fluid intended for further use into a container that previously contained mineral oil.
• Do not reuse brake fluid that was drained from the system during repair.
• To clean brake system components, use filtered brake fluid or a recommended substitute.
• Close all openings and fittings on the hydraulic unit immediately after disconnecting hoses and lines to prevent dirt from entering the unit.
• When disassembling hydraulic system components, ensure that the work area is absolutely clean.
• It is necessary to use recommended fasteners in the brake mechanisms, the threads of which match the threads in the units.

Cooling system plugs and threaded caps

If the engine is hot, unscrew the expansion tank cap and the drain plug of the engine cooling jacket with special precautions. Be especially careful if the engine overheats.

To avoid the risk of burns, allow the engine to cool before removing the plugs.