Technical Failed MOT

[AnthonyH]

My Grande Punto failed its MOT today. I've not long got back from the garage and haven't had a look at the problems on the car itself, i thought i'd post for advice first.

The garage said there is a product you can use to clean dusky/misty headlamps, its not actually dirt, anyone know what that product is?

I recently tightened the parking brake up, but the garage were saying the brake shoes and drums need cleaning? What exactly is binding? I seem to remember the car has a non-standard repair to the rear brake cables which might be causing binding, how can i test for binding myself?

I presume by "anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover", they mean the droplink cover is torn? I put new ones on a couple of years ago, not sure whats happened there.

 

[AnthonyH]

So this is what the headlamps look like. I'm hoping they will clean up ok without me needing to get inside them. The best product anyone?

 

[Mike1alike]

This gives you some products names

https://gearjunkie.com/motors/the-best-headlight-restoration-kits

 

[AnthonyH]

Thanks for that, the link led me back to amazon, i had no idea that there were dedicated products for the purpose of cleaning headlamps.

Car Headlight Repair Fluid,Headlight Restoration Kit with Scratch Remover,Car Polishers & Buffers Fluid,Headlamp Restoration Kit,Car Trim Restorer,Headlight Polish Cleaner Liquid for Cars : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Car Headlight Repair Fluid,Headlight Restoration Kit with Scratch Remover,Car Polishers & Buffers Fluid,Headlamp Restoration Kit,Car Trim Restorer,Headlight Polish Cleaner Liquid for Cars : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

www.amazon.co.uk

I've just started watching the video below, he's using magnets to clean the inside of the headlamp.

 

[Mike1alike]

You find out something new every day.

 

[AnthonyH]

It looks like i have to sand the plastic then apply some kind of sealer. I can hand sand or use a rotary machine. I've watched some youtube videos now and it'll be very unnerving sanding the plastic and making it look worse...i will just have to trust the process...mmm

 

[jackwhoo]

If you have Tcut try just that

 

[jackwhoo]

Binding brake means it is not releasing fully

 

[AnthonyH]

Binding brake means it is not releasing fully

Thing is i'm pretty sure it doesn't bind and stay in the "on" position. What they might have seen is a kind of sticking when i first release the handbrake in the morning. Any idea what would cause that?

If you have Tcut try just that

Worth a try! Its hard for me to know exactly will work, or for how long. Do you mean sand and tcut or polish only with it?

 

[jackwhoo]

Just tcut to start see if its enough

 

[jackwhoo]

Test sheet says service brake binding

 

[jackwhoo]

Try garage suggestion-strip and clean . Plus check slave cylinder pistons free to move. Do both sides

 

[jackwhoo]

While you are with brakes Make sure handbrake cable not over adjusted.
When handbrake off the levers on shoes should be against their stops.

 

[bugsymike]

As @jackwhoo suggests re headlights T Cut cutting compound and a polishing mop (elbow grease or electric) usually works fine on plastic headlamps as far as Mot standard. Though probably need doing again by next year. Stay away from sanding as may make much worse!
On the right hand rear service brake binding, if you jack it up safely the see if with handbrake off you can spin the wheel, then try pressing the foot brake firmly and check again, I would also do the same with the handbrake. You can compare with the opposite side to see what it should be like. Then you can remove wheel to check further. If you suspect the "non standard" repair then you may end up replacing the handbrake cable as that might be the cause of service brake sticking, but testing should confirm better.
On the antiroll bar link, you can mess around fitting new dust covers , but probably just as quick to replace the link. As long as you don't damage the new links cover with the spanner as tightening.

 

[AnthonyH]

While you are with brakes Make sure handbrake cable not over adjusted.
When handbrake off the levers on shoes should be against their stops.

The handbrake had been too loose, so i tightened it a fair amount for the MOT, possibly too much. I could have a look in there and see if anything is sticking/needs adjusting. I'll need to have a close look. I am wondering what that sticking is about, maybe i'll clean the shoes/drums and grease the cable. And check where both are against their stops. I'll probably take pictures and post them for input. I did replace these shoes a couple of years ago, it wasn't much fun

As @jackwhoo suggests re headlights T Cut cutting compound and a polishing mop (elbow grease or electric) usually works fine on plastic headlamps as far as Mot standard. Though probably need doing again by next year. Stay away from sanding as may make much worse!

This is the only compound i have in the house, its not T-Cut but is it similar enough? I was wondering if actual sanding would be appropriate, seems very invasive and i'd prefer not to do that really.

On the right hand rear service brake binding, if you jack it up safely the see if with handbrake off you can spin the wheel, then try pressing the foot brake firmly and check again, I would also do the same with the handbrake. You can compare with the opposite side to see what it should be like. Then you can remove wheel to check further. If you suspect the "non standard" repair then you may end up replacing the handbrake cable as that might be the cause of service brake sticking, but testing should confirm better.

I will do this, test with wheels on first, see what i learn, take wheels off, its hard to envision right now what the problem could be, i will re-read this post just before i'm in front of the car.

On the antiroll bar link, you can mess around fitting new dust covers , but probably just as quick to replace the link. As long as you don't damage the new links cover with the spanner as tightening.

I'll order one off ebay imminently. I replaced the struts on this car some time ago, i can't remember if i re-used the old droplinks or bought new. I can imagine i damaged them new or old, i'll be more careful this time lol.

 

[bugsymike]

The handbrake had been too loose, so i tightened it a fair amount for the MOT, possibly too much. I could have a look in there and see if anything is sticking/needs adjusting. I'll need to have a close look. I am wondering what that sticking is about, maybe i'll clean the shoes/drums and grease the cable. And check where both are against their stops. I'll probably take pictures and post them for input. I did replace these shoes a couple of years ago, it wasn't much fun



View attachment 479553

This is the only compound i have in the house, its not T-Cut but is it similar enough? I was wondering if actual sanding would be appropriate, seems very invasive and i'd prefer not to do that really.



I will do this, test with wheels on first, see what i learn, take wheels off, its hard to envision right now what the problem could be, i will re-read this post just before i'm in front of the car.



I'll order one off ebay imminently. I replaced the struts on this car some time ago, i can't remember if i re-used the old droplinks or bought new. I can imagine i damaged them new or old, i'll be more careful this time lol.

T Cut smells of amonia and is a bit like Brasso for metal polishing if you can find any these days. Most accessory shops have T Cut, but try your stuff first it may work. My local Mot station has a rechargeable polishing buffer and has often cleaned my headlamps for free, but I have known him for a long time.

 

[AnthonyH]

T Cut smells of amonia and is a bit like Brasso for metal polishing if you can find any these days. Most accessory shops have T Cut, but try your stuff first it may work. My local Mot station has a rechargeable polishing buffer and has often cleaned my headlamps for free, but I have known him for a long time.

The free use of a rechargeable polishing buffer sounds good lol.

I think i'm going to buy an adapter for my cordless screwdriver, i can dimly recall trying elbow grease on the headlamps ages ago and it didn't make any difference. Do i need something like in the link below?

Amazon.co.uk

 

[bugsymike]

The free use of a rechargeable polishing buffer sounds good lol.

I think i'm going to buy an adapter for my cordless screwdriver, i can dimly recall trying elbow grease on the headlamps ages ago and it didn't make any difference. Do i need something like in the link below?

Amazon.co.uk

Yes that sort will do it, though maybe a bit of overkill, you may end up polishing all your cars.

 

[AnthonyH]

Yes that sort will do it, though maybe a bit of overkill, you may end up polishing all your cars.

The headlights on my EVO are no better, i dread to see the MOT on that next June lol,

 

[AnthonyH]

I've ordered some of these to polish the headlights.

The cutting compound i already have might work, its supposed to have finer grit than T-Cut though, so if it doesn't work i'll get the T-Cut and try again.

A new droplink is on its way.