General MOT Fail on Brake cylinders and pipes

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General MOT Fail on Brake cylinders and pipes

RichAndRaine

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Hi Guys.

So, our beloved little seic sporting failed it's little test..

Got a quote from the garage to do the work, and I feel it to be extremely steep - am I missing something?

1. Ball joint dust cover deteriorated - Quote new item "S+S Suspension Arm" @ £166
2. Rear brake cylinders leaking brake fluid £97
3. Brake pipe x2 @ £90 each - £180

£443 total.

As I managed to replace a clutch cable following the advice of some wonderful ppl on here, thought I would run it by you all to see if this is something that can be acheived by a novice who can follow instructions for a lot less money, or if it is reasonable to get the garage to do it at their price...

Thanks in advance.
 

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Yes you can and will be able to do all of that yourself.
That quote is steep!
The only thing that I don't understand is what s + s suspension arm means?
If you wish pm your reg to me or post it on here and I will look up MOT failure sheet on line and see if any further details.
 
Is that £49 for horn not working ?
Were you charged for that inspection? If so how much?
 
Is that £49 for horn not working ?
Were you charged for that inspection? If so how much?

Yep. Although, when I press the horn, a loud 'Beep' noise seems to come from my car... so, not sure what they are on about with that TBH...
 
Yes you can and will be able to do all of that yourself.
That quote is steep!
The only thing that I don't understand is what s + s suspension arm means?
If you wish pm your reg to me or post it on here and I will look up MOT failure sheet on line and see if any further details.

PM'd you bud
 
Kwik fit or someone like that?

Sort of - Halfords AutoCentres. Always taken our cars there in the past, and found them to be genuine and reasonably priced, but lately they seem to be extremely steep on their prices...
 
Ok had a lot look
Fail items only things to do first.
Horn not working , well yes it is - fixed.
Lower ball joint Rubber cover, yes you can get one and fit it with guidance.
Rear brakes dragging - yes you can be guided to fix that too.
Over all you are a winner.

Good work fixing clutch cable and car under 40,000 it's nearly new!
 
Ah yes depends on the manager , looks like your branch has a new manager.
Never mind think of it this way you are saving even more £££s doing it yourself.
Did you find a printed workshop manual Haynes or the like?
Or download from forum?
 
Ok had a lot look
Fail items only things to do first.
Horn not working , well yes it is - fixed.
(y)

Lower ball joint Rubber cover, yes you can get one and fit it with guidance.
Rear brakes dragging - yes you can be guided to fix that too.
Over all you are a winner.
Great - do you have any idea how much we could get the parts for, and where best to get them?...

Good work fixing clutch cable and car under 40,000 it's nearly new!
The car is in really good condition, and it's a lovely little motor - the Wifes pride & joy. It was off the road and stored in the garage for 5 years because we never got round to fixing the clutch cable (until now! Wish I had done it MUCH sooner) Too good to scrap it, but at the best part of £450 it's a bit steep for us to put into it.
 
Yes of course can help with parts.
Ok lower ball joint cover try eBay that's about the only place you will find just dust cover.
Brake parts don't order anything till you know what you need ie seen for yourself.

A trolley jack is worth buying a cheap one will be fine( I have several different sizes that cost different prices and use the cheapest one more than the others)

Important bit - never ever work under a car supported only by a jack. Use stands with a jack . Or big block of wood that won't tip over in an emergency.

Ok dragging rear brakes .
Nb do one side at a time so as not to mix up parts.
Chock front wheels.

Do you have a manual?
 
search forum for

Sylvia's maintenance thread


its in panda classic but think same brakes on your car, good guide to taking it apart.


it is likely handbrakes mechanism inside drum has seized ,
try working the lever behind the drum back pate that the hand break cable pulls back and forth, possibly tapping gently with a hammer in opposite direction that cable pulls , to help release drag enabling easier drum removal.


if tapping drum off hub it is best to use a block of wood between hammer and drum , save damaging drum.
 
Shop4Parts:

https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=...11&term=Fiat_Seicento_1108_cc_Suspension_Arms
A pair of complete front suspension arms for just over £50

https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=...11&term=Fiat_Seicento_1108_cc_Wheel_Cylinders
Wheel cylinders £3.40 each

Get a reel of copper brake pipe and a flaring kit off ebay (probably no more than £30 for both).

Make a small donation to the forum and get 10% of S4P prices too, or speak to Big Mick at EuroCarCare.net and I'm sure he'll be able to hook you up.
 
The wheel cylinders are a great price .
Doesn't need brake pipe yet , it was slight corrosion advisory .
Once MOTed recommendation as to what to do will follow.
There is quite a difference between the MOT and what on the list pictured . Bit Naughty in my opinion but we have seen it all before.
Nothing on MOT about any leaks so owner sensible to look for themselves before ordering parts.
 
Sort of - Halfords AutoCentres

Kwik Fit don't do anybody any favours. If you went in to have the car ash tray emptied they'd tell you the car also needed a catalytic converter, 2 tyres and of course their perennial favourite ..wiper blades. In their favour, it has been a few years since they were featured on Watchdog for their sharp practices..

Halfords is fine if you want a car radio or a fluffy dog to put on the dashboard. They'll even tighten the wheel nuts on your bike while you wait.

Many years ago at auction I bought an ex Post Office diesel Sherpa, intending to use it as a camper van. It had a pull to the left so I took it to Halfords .. and didn't say a word while the mechanic explained that they couldn't do the job - I would have to take it to a specialist to have it put on a jig that could straighten the chassis ..

... I'd gone in to have the tracking done, which they couldn't do ... hence all the waffle and nonsense about having the chassis straightened. The next place I called in did the tracking within 10 minutes and the Sherpa was fine. Halfords and Kwik Fit? Nah ...

The bill you have been quoted probably has £200-£250 labour charges. Where I live in the north east of England, labour charges at a small independent workshop/mot station are £40 an hour. If you don't want to do the work yourself - try a smaller mot station/workshop.

But, as others have pointed out, you're more than capable of doing the work yourself. If you get stuck you have the forum to fall back on. When you've done the jobs you can always advise others ..
 
They are having you on...a new original birth wishbone (good quality part from shop4parts) is only a £50 part

Brake pipes will cost you £15 tops if you get someone to make them up for you...

Wheel cylinders are ten a penny... litterally about 4 or £5

Rear brake binding will probably be a seized handbrake actuator ( i sell these brand new if you need them for cheaper than the cheap ones on ebay)

Where abouts on this wonderful island are you??
 
Shop4Parts:

https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=...11&term=Fiat_Seicento_1108_cc_Suspension_Arms
A pair of complete front suspension arms for just over £50

https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=...11&term=Fiat_Seicento_1108_cc_Wheel_Cylinders
Wheel cylinders £3.40 each

Get a reel of copper brake pipe and a flaring kit off ebay (probably no more than £30 for both).

Make a small donation to the forum and get 10% of S4P prices too, or speak to Big Mick at EuroCarCare.net and I'm sure he'll be able to hook you up.

Amazing, Thank you - I'll look all this up today, and will take it from there. (y)
 
They are having you on...a new original birth wishbone (good quality part from shop4parts) is only a £50 part

Brake pipes will cost you £15 tops if you get someone to make them up for you...

Wheel cylinders are ten a penny... litterally about 4 or £5

Rear brake binding will probably be a seized handbrake actuator ( i sell these brand new if you need them for cheaper than the cheap ones on ebay)

Where abouts on this wonderful island are you??

This is why I love forums - awesome people like you lot that are happy to help! Thank you. We are in Somerset btw. :slayer:
 
Doesn't need brake pipe yet , it was slight corrosion advisory .
Once MOTed recommendation as to what to do will follow.
There is quite a difference between the MOT and what on the list pictured . Bit Naughty in my opinion but we have seen it all before.
Nothing on MOT about any leaks so owner sensible to look for themselves before ordering parts.

They said that because they were so rusty, they would probably break anyway when they do the cylinders, so added them to the quote as well as something that would need doing...
 
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