Brake problem

[pictishpunkgirl]

Our brakes just failed the MOT cos they were inadequate despite looking fine through the inspection hole. Recently i've noticed that one of them locks for the first few minutes & is then OK (in fact it locked so badly that it went out of control once). Any ideas what might be the problem?

many thanks chaps & chapesses.

Morag

PS. It's an L reg 2.5 Di non smiley LWB

[rover]

I think you need to get them there drums off that you didnt want to touch, give em a good clean out and adjust them properly(assuming they are not damp of course), I assume its not being caused by the load sensing valve cos the MOT people would have said if that was seized.


Rover.

[pictishpunkgirl]

Well, he actually said that the load sensing valve might be the problem because the van isn't laden so I suggested I put some bags of coal in the back. He didn't blame the valve but said the brakes would work better if it was laden. Does that make sense?

Thanks for the advice anyway, I think we'll have to bite the bullet & get on with the job! What exactly needs adjusting - springs, shoes..?

Morag

[jay]

the shoes need adjusting...but check the brake cylinders when u get the drums off in case they are leaking....u will proberble get a fair bit of dust inside the drums be careful you do not breath in the dust as it is harmful.they are easy to do...

[Nighthawk]

If the back brakes are locking up with the vehicle unladen the weight in the back might only mask the concern.
The LAV setting allows for the correct braking force in most load conditions. But cold or wet tyres have a big effect on their level of grip on the rollers.

It's surprising how many testers don't watch the arm kick when the brake is pressed. So it might be worth looking at too.


What exactly did he fail it on? and what model of Transit is it?

The foot brake %, must be over 50% and for a class 7 vehicle tester can pass the vehicle below that % if more than ½ the road wheels have locked during the test.

[pictishpunkgirl]

It's a Transit 190 LWB 2.5Di. I'll post the brake figures tomorrow when i've fished them out of the van to give some idea of how bad they failed, if that's OK.

[pictishpunkgirl]

Front axle brake reading was 536kg & 14% imbalance & back was 362kg & 0% imbalance (I think it was the back that failed) if that makes any sense. The tester said he thought they had just passed but his electronic read out told him otherwise. The figures probably don't mean anything to anyone but him but we'll do what we can to tidy the brakes up & hopefully get through next time. Thanks for the advice all.

Morag