QPV Handbrake - MOT failure. Advice please

[IanU]

Afternoon all, well I had my doubts and it didn't disappoint me
Failed MOT on handbrake/EPB gubbins. Established that the mechanism in the boot is activating on/off but is making bu$5er all difference at the wheel.
Am I correct in assuming that there is a 'thumbwheel' adjuster through the disc on these, or is that for older models. I don't have the time to sort it so I'm in the hands of the Halfords Auto Centre if it's an easy fix.
Is it pretty straightforward to diagnose cable/mechanism/shoe mechanicals as per any other fairly standard brake set up - OR is there a gotcha with the EPB controls?
If the cable will tension and release in the boot - is it just a question of troubleshooting down the cable until you find either no motion at the drum end - or no friction on the drum itself?
Cheers
Ian.

 

[Gazcw]

There is the adjuster accessed through the back plate. You can also lift the spare wheel well to view the epb mechanism to see if it is operating and lastly a check of the cables for breakage.

 

[IanU]

There is the adjuster accessed through the back plate. You can also lift the spare wheel well to view the epb mechanism to see if it is operating and lastly a check of the cables for breakage.

Thanks, yes the mechanism is definitely working in the boot. Difficult to check the rest on your own but at least I know where to start from.

 

[Gazcw]

Go for pad adjustment first I guess. Quickest for sure. They they say there was any braking? Could be adjustment or knackered shoes.

If old it may be worth swapping out to prevent delamination. I picked up a set for peanuts and as I never use the handbrake I wasn't to worried about performance.

 

[IanU]

Just to close this one off. Everything at the wheel end of the cable was properly seized. So they gave it a right good seeing to to free everything up and cleaned it all up and put back together. I'm reliably informed it'd pull up a herd of stampeding wilder beasts now.
One thing I've noticed is that the airducts underneath seem to throw all the **** passing under the car out through the back wheels (in the interest of cooling I presume) which will include most of the water thrown up by the front wheels passing under the car. Note to self 'grease everything whenever you're under the car'
I'd also like to just say that the guys at Bicester Halfords Autocentre were excellent (not everyday they get a Maser' in there I don't think). I know it's fairly basic mechanical principals, but I think they enjoyed the challenge of fixing it rather than throwing new parts at it - well done fellas.

 

[Wanderer]

Just to close this one off. Everything at the wheel end of the cable was properly seized. So they gave it a right good seeing to to free everything up and cleaned it all up and put back together. I'm reliably informed it'd pull up a herd of stampeding wilder beasts now.
One thing I've noticed is that the airducts underneath seem to throw all the **** passing under the car out through the back wheels (in the interest of cooling I presume) which will include most of the water thrown up by the front wheels passing under the car. Note to self 'grease everything whenever you're under the car'
I'd also like to just say that the guys at Bicester Halfords Autocentre were excellent (not everyday they get a Maser' in there I don't think). I know it's fairly basic mechanical principals, but I think they enjoyed the challenge of fixing it rather than throwing new parts at it - well done fellas.

Ahhh, Bicester...

 

[Gazcw]

Just to close this one off. Everything at the wheel end of the cable was properly seized. So they gave it a right good seeing to to free everything up and cleaned it all up and put back together. I'm reliably informed it'd pull up a herd of stampeding wilder beasts now.
One thing I've noticed is that the airducts underneath seem to throw all the **** passing under the car out through the back wheels (in the interest of cooling I presume) which will include most of the water thrown up by the front wheels passing under the car. Note to self 'grease everything whenever you're under the car'
I'd also like to just say that the guys at Bicester Halfords Autocentre were excellent (not everyday they get a Maser' in there I don't think). I know it's fairly basic mechanical principals, but I think they enjoyed the challenge of fixing it rather than throwing new parts at it - well done fellas.

Good news!

 

[Scaf]

The Halfords places get a very poor hearing generally and I doubt I would have considered them for the MOT let alone remedial work.
Great to hear that they did you proud and got you sorted.

 

[Ebenezer]

Do you know how they tested your brakes? Our cars have limited slip differentials which apparently do not like each side being tested indivisually on the rolling road. Therefore the way to do it is using some gizmo that measures the decelleration when you jam on the brakes. Unfortunatley this requires the gizmo and obviously is more time and hassle for the MOTer who cannot charge any more for their troubles....

I don't believe that this is pipe smoking but happy to be corrected

Eb

 

[Gazcw]

Do you know how they tested your brakes? Our cars have limited slip differentials which apparently do not like each side being tested indivisually on the rolling road. Therefore the way to do it is using some gizmo that measures the decelleration when you jam on the brakes. Unfortunatley this requires the gizmo and obviously is more time and hassle for the MOTer who cannot charge any more for their troubles....

I don't believe that this is pipe smoking but happy to be corrected

Eb

Or a suitable set up for lsd. My mot place does it on rollers designed for them.

 

[IanU]

Do you know how they tested your brakes? Our cars have limited slip differentials which apparently do not like each side being tested indivisually on the rolling road. Therefore the way to do it is using some gizmo that measures the decelleration when you jam on the brakes. Unfortunatley this requires the gizmo and obviously is more time and hassle for the MOTer who cannot charge any more for their troubles....

I don't believe that this is pipe smoking but happy to be corrected

Eb

Yep they did it on the rollers so assume it's able to cope with an LSD. The guy did show me the 'decelerometer' thingy they have which they need to use on some 4x4's for similar reasons. It's a small box with a digital gauge on it which they place in the passenger footwell to complete the test. Looks a bit like a gyro compass as it pivots in a cradle.
He did say that initially they were only getting about 38Kg of resistence which was most likely to be the torque back through the drivetrain. In gear this didn't even stop the car creeping at idle. After freeing it all up, it was up somewhere near 238Kg's

 

[Gazcw]

Yep they did it on the rollers so assume it's able to cope with an LSD. The guy did show me the 'decelerometer' thingy they have which they need to use on some 4x4's for similar reasons. It's a small box with a digital gauge on it which they place in the passenger footwell to complete the test. Looks a bit like a gyro compass as it pivots in a cradle.
He did say that initially they were only getting about 38Kg of resistence which was most likely to be the torque back through the drivetrain. In gear this didn't even stop the car creeping at idle. After freeing it all up, it was up somewhere near 238Kg's

That should be the last time it is used until next mot then!