MOT Advisory: Front Brake imbalance

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kungpow1975

New Member
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64
Location
Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
Hi all,

I have took the plunge and got myself another Discovery 1 v8 (early 98).
It only had a couple of advisories on the last MOT sheet so im going to get them sorted out before the next test in November.

the advisory is:

"Front brakes only just met the front brake imbalance requirements, it would appear that the braking system needs adjustment or repair [3 , 7 , A , 2d]"

how would I go about fixing this? would a fresh set of discs and pads sort it out or is it something more severe?

Thanks all,

Richard
 
I would take the wheels off and have a look first before ordering parts. Obviously check pads and disc condition but make sure pistons havent corroded and siezed in the calipers. Look at brake fluid, is it fresh or does it need replacing, is there any air in the hydraulic system?

Hope this helps.
 
kungpow1975 said:
Hi all,

I have took the plunge and got myself another Discovery 1 v8 (early 98).
It only had a couple of advisories on the last MOT sheet so im going to get them sorted out before the next test in November.

the advisory is:

"Front brakes only just met the front brake imbalance requirements, it would appear that the braking system needs adjustment or repair [3 , 7 , A , 2d]"

how would I go about fixing this? would a fresh set of discs and pads sort it out or is it something more severe?


Thanks all,

Richard
Click to expand...
Hi, to be honest, he shouldn't have been able to fail on that, as he must have carried out a roller brake test to do so, which is a big no no! If you carry out a decelerometer test (Tapley meter, as they should have done) you do not enter individual wheel readings, only a percentage efficiency of the service brake and the parking brake, therefore not being able to see an imbalance. All said and done, you were lucky nothing was damaged, even though damage caused during the test is the testers liability. Its good that you know the fault though, and a strip and clean/free caliper pistons is quite often all thats needed, you'll just have to make a decision on the discs and pads when its in bits!

Don't let them roller brake test it again!!:eek:
 
Worth looking at the flexi pipes if they are old, one might be ballooning and causing the brake imbalance, cheap to replace with braided and look good.
 
No Rangiedaz is right any car that is constant 4 wheel drive should NOT be tested on any brake rollers. If you can select 2 wd then it can be tested on rollers otherwise should be done on the road. You can wind up the diff's and/or the transfer box's.
 
ellodave said:
any car that is constant 4 wheel drive should NOT be tested on any brake rollers.
Click to expand...

Unless your test station has a roller setup specifically for 4wd cars, in which case they press a button and one side goes backwards whilst the wheel being tested goes forwards. As long as the two wheels go the same speed but in different directions the prop shaft attached to the axle won't be rotating, therefore no drive is transferred to the axle not being tested.

I asked my local garage about testing my land rover before I booked her in for the last MOT, and got the above as his reply. So go find yourself a garage with the correct rollers and you'll be ok. Just make sure you remind them;)
 
discool said:
The dual rollers that are used for the MOT purpose of testing brakes are ok for use on four wheel drive vehicles.
It seems that u don't understand the action of the rollers when the brakes are being tested.
Click to expand...
Being a tester myself, I think I do understand! And for the record (I will check this out to be sure) but last time I checked, contra-rotating rollers are not approved for use by vosa, and I have never seen them in a class IV testing station, nor were they mentioned at any time on my most recent refresher visit
 
ellodave said:
No Rangiedaz is right any car that is constant 4 wheel drive should NOT be tested on any brake rollers. If you can select 2 wd then it can be tested on rollers otherwise should be done on the road. You can wind up the diff's and/or the transfer box's.
Click to expand...
Bang right, if the vehicle can be tested on a rolling road, it tells you on the VTS device print out, and it DOES NOT when testing a permanent 4 wheel drive vehicle. Above all, the tester is liable for any damage caused while the vehicle is being tested, so why take the risk?
 
ellodave said:
Nice for someone to tell me im right for a change!! :)
Click to expand...

It must be :D if your an MOT tester then you must know then what some think about testers in the various vehicle forums. :(

The vehicles I have owned have never failed a test, so I don't have a grudge other than last year having an advisory for a chip on the windscreen thats been there for the last 10 years, we will see in a months time if it's mentioned again :).
 
discool said:
It must be :D if your an MOT tester then you must know then what some think about testers in the various vehicle forums. :(

The vehicles I have owned have never failed a test, so I don't have a grudge other than last year having an advisory for a chip on the windscreen thats been there for the last 10 years, we will see in a months time if it's mentioned again :).
Click to expand...

Im not a tester my brother is but we own and run a small garage together so we are careful we don't **** vosa off to much! :lol:

And advisory's are a testers friend! it covers there arse as "in the tester's opinion" its not a fail. Don't worry about advisory's to much just give's you a to do list before next year. :rolleyes:
 
discool said:
It must be :D if your an MOT tester then you must know then what some think about testers in the various vehicle forums. :(

The vehicles I have owned have never failed a test, so I don't have a grudge other than last year having an advisory for a chip on the windscreen thats been there for the last 10 years, we will see in a months time if it's mentioned again :).
Click to expand...
I've seen some less than favourable opinions about testers, yes! At the end of the day we're just doing a job, and if it passes, we're the best, and if it fails, we're ****ers! Same as any job really, cant always win!
Youve done well with the 100% pass rate, nice to see someone who maintains a vehicle properly, rather than the 'can you test my car today mate, I've just realised it ran out 2 weeks ago' brigade!!:D
 
I get annoyed when I see the MOT used as a fault finding exercise by some owners and then have a list of rejections.

I can understand an unknown and/or obscure item to the owner failing and also perhaps on the way to the test that's "sods law" but when there's a list tyres, brakes, steering, rust etc etc. and thats the vehicle that has been used on the road :blabla::blabla:

The 100% pass rate is due to giving the vehicle the once over before booking a test, I'm lucky being an enthusast I have been around "cars" for a while and so know what to look for, it also helps to have a well maintained vehicle, but owners that haven't can always use a professional to do a check for them can't they :).
 
Nowt ****es me off more than someone turning up for a test with lights or wipers not working..how hard is it to check for the basics?
 
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