Yes it's another one of those topics (sorry) so here goes:
- I've done research and looked up what I can
- I can't lift the car on the drive because it's uneven and last time I tried to get a whole end up :o I cracked the windscreen due to flexing the chassis (:< >:)
- The handbrake cables seem to be moving fine and moving together
- The handbrake cables also don't look that old judging by some fluorescent pen marks
- I turned the car on
- Depressed brake pedal all the way, pumped it 10+ times, put handbrake on 10+ times etc.
- Did some adjustment until I wasn't having to exert loads of force and it was holding the car (!)
- I tested by trying to go forwards and reversing
- Did some more adjustment
- A smell occurred so thought I better stop!
The handbrake goes on at about 5 clicks I guess with more room to really whack it on - the handbrake seems effective now to me at least.
So question is: do I just say sod it and pay to get it looked at by someone who knows what they're doing or... go and get it retested given that the car does not move when handbrake is on now (the car did move before with handbrake.. yes should have figured this all out before MOT).
I erring toward retest as I just need it to get through and it seems to be okay.
The handbrake is awkward to fix. I know because I have spent time fixing my own!
Without being negative, I would say if you can't lift the car on jacks / axle stands due to your driveway, then you stand no chance of fixing it yourself, so let the MOT station sort it if they fail it.
The chances are that they won't be able to fix it perfectly either and will eventually tweak it a bit and then pass it.
Just ask the MOT station to do a roller brake test for you before re test so you know if it is good enough.
You don't want it to fail and pay for another full test.
We have had a few people in doing just that, Only takes couple of mins and will highlight which brake if any is at fault.
Worth asking them at least.
Quote from: PhilzMR2 on July 24, 2018, 21:07
The handbrake is awkward to fix. I know because I have spent time fixing my own!
Without being negative, I would say if you can't lift the car on jacks / axle stands due to your driveway, then you stand no chance of fixing it yourself, so let the MOT station sort it if they fail it.
The chances are that they won't be able to fix it perfectly either and will eventually tweak it a bit and then pass it.
That only applies if the cables are bad. That's not always the case.
So... it passed! :D
Thanks for the feedback. It's given me confidence in my ability to diagnose following research on this forum!
Carolyns advice in another thread is what helped in this situation. Essentially applying max force on brake pedal and adjust accordingly.
The problem i had with this MOT is that it was a local council testing station and they don't do work and i really didn't have the time to get it in elsewhere so took the gamble in the end. Didn't mind having to pay retest if worst came to worst.
I would recommend them though. The guy that did the MOT before retest was friendly and very complimentary on the car. The great thing is they had no incentive to fail the car on something they could then charge me to fix. A bit cynical but the car's good for anther year :)