P38 MOT handbrake testing

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There isn't a Mk2 or E Type Jag on the planet that will pass the MOT Tapley hand brake test. I used to just park them on the hill going onto the.garage car park. If it did not roll it passed.
 
There isn't a Mk2 or E Type Jag on the planet that will pass the MOT Tapley hand brake test. I used to just park them on the hill going onto the.garage car park. If it did not roll it passed.
Morning Tony,you feeling better? You forgot the Citroen CX.even the dealer "fitters" couldn't get them to work ,one i knew told me the quickest way was to put a 10 pence piece between the handbrake pad and the operating linkage. Speak soon.
 
My tester parks it on the incline at the exit of his garage after the test,if it holds it's passed.I've been using him for years from when I was in the trade so he knows I look after my car.
Until the MOTs were tightened and went all on the computer, my place used to fail it, if necessary, then give me a pass cert as well as they knew I'd do the work.
Don't happen now although I think he sometimes gives me advisories that maybe ought to be closer to a fail. Whatever I need to do gets done, usually really quickly, and TBH they don't usually fail on anything as I take good care of them and don't want the hassle.
 
I had a cx - a silver one, I recall it had adjustable hydromatic suspension IIRC.

total POS. I got rid of it and got a massive Peugeot somethingor another, an 805? Can’t remember, was huge like a whale and wallowy as hell :D
 
I had a cx - a silver one, I recall it had adjustable hydromatic suspension IIRC.

total POS. I got rid of it and got a massive Peugeot somethingor another, an 805? Can’t remember, was huge like a whale and wallowy as hell :D
I had an estate,2.5 diesel filled it up and went to pick my son up after his passing out parade 5 adults on the journey down,cruising at 70 ish..6 on the way back with all his gear after a couple of years in Junior Leaders. Called into the same garage after 360 miles and put in 9 gallons The guy at the garage remembered me filling up earlier and couldn't believe the mpg of such a huge car.Oleo pneumatic suspension, steering and brakes.Sold it to a guy that used it on the booze run to France, he said he could get a ton of wine in it.
 
I had an estate,2.5 diesel filled it up and went to pick my son up after his passing out parade 5 adults on the journey down,cruising at 70 ish..6 on the way back with all his gear after a couple of years in Junior Leaders. Called into the same garage after 360 miles and put in 9 gallons The guy at the garage remembered me filling up earlier and couldn't believe the mpg of such a huge car.Oleo pneumatic suspension, steering and brakes.Sold it to a guy that used it on the booze run to France, he said he could get a ton of wine in it.

i have no doubt!

Just googled it, it was a 505 I had :D
 
Bit more up to date ... BMW E39 handbrakes are notorious. Will usually hold on a slope, but if idling in 'drive' will struggle to, even on the flat.
Ask me how I know ;) Emergency brake? don't make me laugh, you'd be better off following the 'Fred Flintstone' procedure.
 
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Bit more up to date ... BMW E39 handbrakes are notorious. Will usually hold on a slope, but if idling in 'drive' will struggle to, even on the flat.
Ask me how I know ;) Emergency brake? don't make me laugh, you'd be better off following the 'Fred Flintstone' procedure.
E46's aren't much cop either. I've had three and the handbrakes on all of them were just barely an mot pass.
 
E46's aren't much cop either. I've had three and the handbrakes on all of them were just barely an mot pass.
The handbrake on my e36 was really good! Thought it was pretty much the same on the e46.
I did find it was a case of 'use it or lose it' though. If you didn't use it at low speeds occasionally to clean things up, it was hopeless
 
Bit more up to date ... BMW E39 handbrakes are notorious. Will usually hold on a slope, but if idling in 'drive' will struggle to, even on the flat.
Ask me how I know ;) Emergency brake? don't make me laugh, you'd be better off following the 'Fred Flintstone' procedure.
My daily is a E39 touring, can agree
 
That type of rear brake system is pretty good but they are never given the attention they need. Often the disks and pads are changed but rarely the shoes for the handbrake. They crack and come apart and the self adjuster on some models will sieze. A nice new set of shoes and accessories will put an end to that along with the correct adjustment. Also a stretched cable setup won't hold the handbrake effectively as it doesn't have the elastic grip in the cable. Suck eggs.. :p





I've already run away.....
 
That type of rear brake system is pretty good but they are never given the attention they need. Often the disks and pads are changed but rarely the shoes for the handbrake. They crack and come apart and the self adjuster on some models will sieze. A nice new set of shoes and accessories will put an end to that along with the correct adjustment. Also a stretched cable setup won't hold the handbrake effectively as it doesn't have the elastic grip in the cable. Suck eggs.. :p

Whilst I don't dispute what you are saying I've read many posts on the two main BM forums where peeps have carried out such remedial work on the handbrake mechanism only to find there's been no lasting improvement. I don't work on cars these day so what I really need is someone who knows all about E39's & can effect such work without charging BMW dealer prices … not easy these days.
nb. have you tried to find an auto-sparks recently, one whose actually prepared to get his hands dirty rather than give a diagnosis based on what his laptop comes up with ?
Sorry this is a LR forum & I'm off-topic, but anyone is welcome to PM me ;)
 
There isn't a Mk2 or E Type Jag on the planet that will pass the MOT Tapley hand brake test. I used to just park them on the hill going onto the.garage car park. If it did not roll it passed.
Love a nice E type, i'll never own one, but a mates Dad has one and i've driven it a few times, good fun...
Footwell is so tight though you have to well "I" have to drive in my socks or very thin shoes!
5bKjNtvl.jpg
 
Thats my "almost" 7 day à bloody week job. Repairing cars,
I know some systems are a nightmare and have ridiculous procedures..
I hope you do find someone to help with your own car. ;)
 
Love a nice E type, i'll never own one, but a mates Dad has one and i've driven it a few times, good fun...
Footwell is so tight though you have to well "I" have to drive in my socks or very thin shoes!
5bKjNtvl.jpg
In the late sixties had a red 3.8 convertible E Type, a garage business, a few grand in the bank, a house. Then I married the first wife. Two years later I had no E Type, no house, no money in bank and no business. Beware of things with boobs and fannies.:(:mad:
 
In the late sixties had a red 3.8 convertible E Type, a garage business, a few grand in the bank, a house. Then I married the first wife. Two years later I had no E Type, no house, no money in bank and no business. Beware of things with boobs and fannies.:(:mad:

isn’t the saying ‘if it flies, floats or ****s it will cost you money?’
 
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