MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: ucb on September 5, 2025, 11:16

Title: Handbrake MOT failure
Post by: ucb on September 5, 2025, 11:16
Unsurprisingly the 2 failed its MOT yesterday on the handbrake being below efficiency. I adjust the mechanism but it just wont hold the car.
When I was adjusting it I noted the NS cable didn't move anywhere near as much as the OS, but I suppose I'm down to caliper rebuilds and new cables.
Any suggestions for trustworthy garages in the North east/Yorks for this type of work?

Cheers
Title: Re: Handbrake MOT failure
Post by: Chilli Girl on September 5, 2025, 12:15
How annoying but sadly a Roadster's common fault, sorry can't help on garages up there.  All the best for the next MOT though. :)
Title: Re: Handbrake MOT failure
Post by: Carolyn on September 5, 2025, 13:31
@ucb :

https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=68798.0 (https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=68798.0)
Title: Re: Handbrake MOT failure
Post by: ucb on September 5, 2025, 14:19
Quote from: Carolyn on September  5, 2025, 13:31@ucb :

https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=68798.0 (https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=68798.0)

yep, thanks Carolyn.
i read your post multiple times and concluded I would need a caliper or cables or both before adjusting in cockpit.
Title: Re: Handbrake MOT failure
Post by: Gaz mr-s on September 5, 2025, 15:31
If you're hands-on remove centre console, reduce tension right-off, disconnect at calipers & see how the cables move.
Are the rubber bellows at the caliper end intact?  If not, that's the likely cause of the problem.  By dropping rear end down & using very thin oil from inside the car, they can be 'recovered'.  And the rubber replaced.

If you need a garage to replace a cable make sure they don't chop the existing & use it to haul the new one in...it needs to be fixed around the chassis.
Title: Re: Handbrake MOT failure
Post by: ucb on September 8, 2025, 23:16
Thanks
I'll give it a try
Sure the bellows were intact when i last checked