Rover Hand Brake NCT Failure

andrewk08

Hi
Got my handbrake replaced a month back (Rover 600) at Discount Types in Blanchardstown. Last week, I got them to tighten it before my NCT.
Yesterday I failed the NCT because the handbrake wasn't tight enough and he said there was an imbalance (>50%).
At the garage, the mechanic had said to me that Rover brakes were very tricky and he had doubts over whether it would pass. Seemed like a cop out to me.
Does anyone know of an old Rover dealer (now they are no more) that would have a good reputation or a mechanic that could do it?
(PS i don't want to go back to argue the case with Discount, I have no failth that they'll get it right on the third go)

Thanks

mickdw

Sounds like a clown to me. Id say any indepenant garage should be able to sort this out.
Why would they even attempt the job when they had no idea what to do?

Darragh29

Sounds like the jobs wasn't done right OP. Firstly you need to look at what parts where changed. It's best practice now when replacing rear brake shoes, to replace rear wheel cylinders at the same time.

It those two tasks have been done sucessfully, then the only other question that needs to be answered is if both your handbrake cables are working as they should.

Post ALL your brake data from your NCT up here and I'll be able to tell you probably clearly enough, what the problem is...

If the rear brakes are passing on the foot pedal but failing on the handbrake part of the test, then you almost certainly have a handbrake cable problem, usually a seized or stretched handbrake cable....

Post ALL your braking data up here and we'll be able to advise you better...

andrewk08

Darragh,
Here goes, brake info:
First, I got front brake pad changed in Jan. Then by May there were vibrating when braking, so I got new disks and of course they had to change pad again. Also got new handbrake cables.


(Break Effort)
(Nearside)
Front Axle 2.92kN
Rear Axil 1.27 kN
Parking 0.58 kN (Highlighted yellow I assume for fail, but could be the imbalance column later that is the issue.)

(Offside)
Front Axle 2.83kN
Rear Axil 1.45 kN
Parking 1.24kN

(Quality)
(Nearside)
Front Axle 14%
Rear Axil 17%

(Offside)
Front Axle 14%
Rear Axil 16%


Imablance
Front Axle 3%
Rear Axil 12%
Parking 53% (Highlighted yellow) Presume that this is the fail.

Brake Performance (Car weight 1349Kg)
Brake effort 64%
Parking 14% (In Yellow, Fail)

Thanks

Darragh29

Your problem here OP is either:

The adjustment of the handbrake wear adjuster at the brake shoe assembly on the passenger side....

(you said this was already adjusted before the test)...

OR

A stretched or partially seized handbrake cable on the passender side...

I can see from your data that your brake shoes and wheel cylinders on the rear axle are all working fine, as the brake imbalance on the rear axle is a fairly healthy 12%.

I'd say check the handbrake cable on the passenger side, it's either seized or else stretched...

Your only problem here is that there is not enough braking force being appplied to the rear passenger wheel when you use the handbrake. There is enough force being applied to the wheel when the foot brake is being used, so we can pass the brake shoes and wheel cylinders as healthy on that basis...

andrewk08

Darragh. I can't until I get home (No scanner here).
Thanks

Darragh29

andrewk08 wrote: »

Darragh. I can't until I get home (No scanner here).
Thanks

Just read my post again OP, I had to edit it, I don't need that info now, I've outlined the problem for you above now, apologies for the confusion...

andrewk08

D. Thanks for that. I'll find a garage, hopefully a better one.

Darragh29

andrewk08 wrote: »

D. Thanks for that. I'll find a garage, hopefully a better one.

What you need to do OP is get a good independent garage with an NCT test lane. You need to have this fault cleared and verified as cleared before you go back for a re-test and only a garage with the necessary brake test equipment can do that for you. Just off my head, I think Coby Auto's up at the Red Cow has test lane equipment. There is no point in going to a garage that can't verify that the issue has been fullly resolved for you, even if it is just a handbrake cable replacement task. So when you're ringing around, just ask have they the test lane facility to check for brake imbalance after replacing the handbrake cable.

And don't let someone start telling you that you need brake shoes and wheel cylinders replaced as well because you don't! These components are all healthy as per your NCT data...

andrewk08

D, Excellent, Thanks

Darragh29

andrewk08 wrote: »

D, Excellent, Thanks

Your welcome, let us know how you get on...

andrewk08

Darragh
One last thing. Out of country for 1 month. Will be getting car fixed while away and getting NCT organised for return. So will post then (in case you think I didn't botter to reply). Back Aug 24. Cheers

andrewk08

Back from Holidays. My father got the car doe at the Red Cow place you recommended and it passed the NCT while I was away (now I just have to pay him!).

Many thanks for your help

Darragh29

Darragh29 wrote: »

What you need to do OP is get a good independent garage with an NCT test lane. You need to have this fault cleared and verified as cleared before you go back for a re-test and only a garage with the necessary brake test equipment can do that for you. Just off my head, I think Coby Auto's up at the Red Cow has test lane equipment. There is no point in going to a garage that can't verify that the issue has been fullly resolved for you, even if it is just a handbrake cable replacement task. So when you're ringing around, just ask have they the test lane facility to check for brake imbalance after replacing the handbrake cable.

Complete and utter cobblers, my Merc failed the NCT on the handbrake and I adjusted it myself. Most garages don't have this test lane you speak of but can still adjust brakes correctly. The Merc also failed on headlight alignment which I also sorted without a beam setter.