Confessions of a Citroholic

[CitroJim]

This forum is so much more user friendly!!

And friendlier too I'll wager

[Mandrake]

The 307 is on 205 rather than 215 width tyres, but otherwise the same (55 / R16 / V) - they're nearly £50 cheaper each! How does that work??

The same way that 205/60/R15 is much more expensive than 205/55/R15 - supply and demand!

[RichardW]

New tyres on, MOT obtained. Still marginal on the handbrake! Perhaps it needs a new motor / primary cable. Or maybe not since they are >£700....

[CitroJim]

Good news on the MOT Richard It passed. That's all that matters

[Mandrake]

New tyres on, MOT obtained. Still marginal on the handbrake! Perhaps it needs a new motor / primary cable. Or maybe not since they are >£700....

I can just see the design room conversation.

"Hey, why don't we replace that cheap old fashioned handbrake lever that costs £30 to make with a nice new electric motor and controller that we can charge £700 for so that the owner can just press a button instead of pulling on an old fashioned lever".

"Lets do it!" Not everything new is better...

[CitroJim]

New tyres on, MOT obtained. Still marginal on the handbrake! Perhaps it needs a new motor / primary cable. Or maybe not since they are >£700....

I can just see the design room conversation.

"Hey, why don't we replace that cheap old fashioned handbrake lever that costs £30 to make with a nice new electric motor and controller that we can charge £700 for so that the owner can just press a button instead of pulling on an old fashioned lever".

"Lets do it!" Not everything new is better...

Many a true word spoken in jest Simon and I believe you are 100% correct in what you say

[RichardW]

I was wrong, new motor is £795....

Looks like the primary cable is separate though, and can be had on e-bay for £20 - doesn't look too hard to change, so probably worth a shot over the summer. Just ordered new front discs and pads for both cars - got to do the 307 next weekend before it goes for MOT. On Mon 13th

[CitroJim]

got to do the 307 next weekend before it goes for MOT. On Mon 13th

Better than Friday the 13th Richard!

I'm sure all will be fine but all the very best with it anyway

[RichardW]

Got to get the new front brakes on the 307, but as it is currently snowing on and off and hovering just above freezing, I'm not that inclined to do it!!

[CitroJim]

Got to get the new front brakes on the 307, but as it is currently snowing on and off and hovering just above freezing, I'm not that inclined to do it!!

It's more or less the same here Richard so I don't blame you! I'm just back from a parkrun... Now warming up!!!

[Zelandeth]

I'm reminded of the MOT handbrake test my old local had for my father's 93 Fiat Panda 1000. They used to take it out, park it on the (nasty!) hill out back of the workshop, and if it held, it passed. Guy said quite simply that if he adjusted it so it would pass on the rollers that we'd be back in tomorrow for a new handbrake cable, and a week later for new shoes after they cooked themselves by dragging.

Never had the slightest trouble with the brakes in the real world, but I think I the highest we ever saw on the rollers was about 10%.

[van ordinaire]

I might be getting out of my depth here BUT, in my experience, autos with self adjusting handbrakes invariably fail MoT's - because the last time it was used was a year ago. From that I learnt the need to adjust self-adjusters.

I've never understood how they test the emergency brake on my Cadillac, it's pedal operated - with no release! It releases automatically when you turn on the ignition & move the shifter out of Park, clearly not something you could do with it in Neutral, on the rollers.

[CitroJim]

I'm reminded of the MOT handbrake test my old local had for my father's 93 Fiat Panda 1000. They used to take it out, park it on the (nasty!) hill out back of the workshop, and if it held, it passed.

I do love the application of a bit of good old-fashioned pragmatism in such situations as you illustrate above

I'm sure our favourite MOT tester does this too Zel

[RichardW]

Weather is 'better' today - just occasional flurries of snow / hail! - so the job is done. Obs:

1. They were well into fail territory, with the discs looking very sad and very little material left on some of the pads. I've seen worse, but only just! (they have been squealing of late - so much so that people would look round when I was braking!!)
2. Bought Ferrodo pads and they came with new stainless slider/clip thingies, which is good. There were new bolts too, but only 2 whereas this set up needs 4! Old ones refitted
3. Job is much easier when it has all been apart not that long ago, and copper slip applied to bolts and the back of the discs
4. I wish I had discovered examination gloves earlier in my mechanicing life!
5. I am seriously contemplating getting them both re-tested in the summer to minimise work in the winter!

I also had to repair the bonnet catch pull. It has always been a bit floppy on this car, but then this time it wouldn't work at all. Thought it was broken, but inspection showed the lever had just popped out of the housing. Removal of the trim at the bottom of the door, and the carpet under the dash, allowed access with the water pump pliers to give a judicious squeeze and it popped back in. Nice!

Edit - especially as the lever is only available complete with the cable, at £35. I bet that's a giggle to fit.....

[CitroJim]

Excellent Richard Good work..

I definitely agree with observation 3 and 4... On the subject of 4 I cannot now work without them; it makes such a difference, it makes clean-up much easier and is kinder to your skin too..

5. Now that's an excellent idea! Both mine are in early autumn which is ideal...