Technical Handbrake mot failure....:(

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Technical Handbrake mot failure....:(

Joined
Jun 10, 2012
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113
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Location
norwich
The bravo (mk1 hgt) failed mot on a few brake related issues....:(

1st are both front brake lines corroded to excess and also nearside rear.....thought about buying a decent pipe flarer/pipe and ends but garage only quoted me 2hrs labour to replace so seems sensible to let them do that.

Also failed as rear parking brake only 12% efficient....ooops.:eek:

Want to take all cables out and grease them up...may well be worn/stretched but new ones won't turn up till tues as they can't place order till monday a.m so might as well try sorting old one out first tomorrow,

Is there a specific routine for setting the cable tension??? presume adjuster under rubber handbrake gaitor and don't need to take centre console out to get to it.???

Any guidance would be greatly welcomed.....:):)
 
I changed the rear lines on my Marea without rear brake compensator (which I think mk1 has), readymade copper pipes and it would have taken about two hours if I had the routine and tools ready (namely torch and mini boltcutters). Right side is over the tank and needs spaghettinhands to do properly.
Not sure about front as there is little room around the abs unit to work with (and 5pot underhood generally).

Adjustment is under the fake leather.
Cant say how it pops up as I've had marea console in my brava for years.
Check that the lever at the rear calipers moves freely and spring returns it.
Left one was stuck on mine (HLX marea) so little penetratingoil and piperwrench action freed it up.
Tensioning is just as tight that it still has room to completely return the caliper levers (some free play so they dont complain about it being too tight).
When the lever are completely returned, pump the brakes against assist as hard you can couple times so the automatic adjuster works itself (you should hear clicks as they move.

I usually open the rears and clean/lubricate the sliders and wind the calipers back a bit, then let the calipers click themselves to proper place.
Same for front sliders.

Pour some antifreeze inside the old cables, oil only does bad things to the inside coating :)
 
I usually open the rears and clean/lubricate the sliders and wind the calipers back a bit, then let the calipers click themselves to proper place.
Same for front sliders.

Pour some antifreeze inside the old cables, oil only does bad things to the inside coating :)


thanks Neverth , all makes perfect sense,(y) I like the antifreeze /lube idea rather than oil = is that like engine coolant?? or an "anti-seize" lubricant??,:confused:

Charlie
 
Usually water leaks inside the cables.
Water freezes/corrodes bare cables.
Pour some raw antifreeze inside the cable. Even if water leaks in it should not cause too many problems as it mixes with antifreeze which has corrosion inhibitors, it will not freeze and crack the coating any more than it is.

Oil is lighter than water so water slowly pushes the oil out of the cables.
Heavy grease is sticky during winter and light grease is gone before you know it.
Petroleum based might eat/soften the coating, silicone/ptfe should do nothing harmful to the materials.
But the cables dont really need lube as they are coated/loose so antifreeze does the job better.
 
Cheers for the help guys.

Just put new pads and discs in and know its purely down to me not adjusting it up properly.:eek::eek:

Will clean them all up , bit of anti freeze and adjust....for the learning experience then change them when I sort out rear dampers/springs.
 
The handbrake adjuster was wound nearly fully off, so did it up so 3 clicks to fully engage but still far to easy to move forward. ...so will check rear levers operating freely tomorrow when I've got more time.

Am I right in that if I check these with slack in cable, operate foot brake numerous times should find home position then take slack up with adjuster?
 
Handbrake cables rejuvenated (new ones ordered)....rear calipers serviced and a sod of a job changing all the brake lines( including flexi's)...phew.

Learnt loads about brake lines and bleeding.lol

Flew through retest today and back on the road.

Thanks guys...:thumbup:
 
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