Handbrake and MOT

[mikexgough]

Having not needed to MOT the Bongo yet and don't have to for a while but I was wondering if anyone could tell me how the MOT station they went to tested their handbrake on a 4wd model?

As the weather is getting better I am going to change the Brake Pads (for my own peace of mind) and I am going to play with the handbrake (lubricate,adjust etc) and I was wondering how the handbrake was tested as the 4wd is permanent and its also automatic...

[You've Been Bongod]

i think for a 4wd they would put it on a 4wd roller

[mikexgough]

My testing station has a 2 wheel rolling road so I would say Tapley meter for the footbrake......but what about the handbrake...?

[dandywarhol]

Tapely for the handbrake too - only needs 15% efficiency

[mikexgough]

do they "knock" the transmission into N?..... I'm just curious as never had 4wd nor full auto before

[francophile1947]

Don't think so Mike, I believe they just yank it on.

[mikexgough]

I just wondered.......mine holds okay on D & N and has about 8 "clicks" but I will be taking a look see when I do the rear pads......I love it when you can delve into a vehicles soul ........

mmm I remember some 2cv drum brakes and setting up the handbrake.... .... not an easy job

[mikexgough]

well.........update.....

Done the front & rear pads and also took time at the rear end to check out the Handbrake....

Now being a 2cv nut for many years and messed with the 2cv drum and disc brake models ....handbrake mechanisms ..... I was a little paranoid.... to say the least but I was happy to dismantle and fettle.....

So I checked out where the adjustment was under the present handbrake lever position....turns out that the nearside was not working when the handbrake was on 8 clicks but the offside was locked up.

I then went to turn the "star" wheel adjuster and low and behold the offside turned and the nearside was soild (either way of trying to turn it) but the offside was working..... now not one to be beaten I decided to remove the nearside disc.
It resulted in the adjuster being solid stuck locked, so after I removed the mechanisn, released it and refitted , I did a dummy adjust to see if all was wel of course.
Then I refitted the disc and adjusted and all is well in world - new pads that now need a bed in and a proper working handbrake............

So my question now is........how the blo*dy hell did the handbrake manage to pass the last MOT before I purchased the Bongo?......

[francophile1947]

Well done
As for the last bit - a friendly garage

[dandywarhol]

Re. the brake tester - if the wheels not being tested are chocked then the VC will slip enough to get a reading on the rollers.

[mikexgough]

'tis a 4wd....no roller test at the testing station it had it's MOT......