MOT Failure - Handbrake Efficiency 11%

[dandare1980]

Thanks Jim,

I'm booked in with the father-in-law to help me with the matrix the weekend before Christmas.

He's got a garage with a heater so at least I won't be freezing outside!

Dan.

[citronut]

thats good to hear Dan,
does that mean your going to share what you saved between the FCF members that helped you,

regards malcolm

[dandare1980]

Well, that's a reasonable request I guess.........

Perhaps when I'm feeling a little "richer" (which will be no time soon as recently lost my job!) .

I've been pleasantly surprised at how helpful and prompt the replies are amongst forum members here.

Everyone seems genuinely polite and willing to help, something which is becoming a rarity these days!

Dan

[CitroJim]

I'm booked in with the father-in-law to help me with the matrix the weekend before Christmas.

That's great Dan I'll be thinking of you as I'm likely to be doing the same job along with a complete heater box on my HDi Xantia ... Only difference is mine will be done out of doors Still better to be cold for a while whilst doing the job rather than cold all the winter...

I've been pleasantly surprised at how helpful and prompt the replies are amongst forum members here. Everyone seems genuinely polite and willing to help, something which is becoming a rarity these days!

What you've seen Dan is quite normal on this forum Citroen owners are a brilliant bunch of people and always happy to help. Next season come to a few of our rallies (some are quite local to you) and you can then see we're about the same in person as we are on here...

[dandare1980]

Thanks Jim, I'd love to meet up with the gang at your next meet.

Will try and keep my diary free

[Chris570]

Perhaps when I'm feeling a little "richer" (which will be no time soon as recently lost my job!) .

I've been pleasantly surprised at how helpful and prompt the replies are amongst forum members here.

Everyone seems genuinely polite and willing to help, something which is becoming a rarity these days!

Dan

I'm sorry to hear about your job, hopefully you'll find something better soon at least the xsara is cheap to run

You're right though, this lot are a good bunch of people

[dandare1980]

Thanks Chris,

I'm still very grateful for your help with the Lexia code reading on my ABS, I would have been going in blind without it!

Dan

[Chris570]

think nothing of it

[dandare1980]

Well, I don't like to drag up old posts but just been through the MOT station and hey presto it's failed on the rear handbrake again (plus other bits).

This time it scored an annoying 15% efficiency, just off the pass limit.

I'm starting to think it's ultimately down to the adjuster mechanism in the rear callipers not functioning properly, but I'm not prepared to shell out the dosh on new ones just to fix the handbrake when, as it's an automatic, it can mostly cope without due to the "Park" gear position.

I'm thankfully back in work now and recently became the proud father of a daughter, so no longer have the time to play around with it.

As I don't want to fuss about this time with rubbing the discs/pads down with emery paper, I might just buy and fit a new axle set (just over £20 at Euro Car Parts with another of their "MidMonth31" deals). Will set it up again as I did before and hope it pushes through that final 1%.

Guess this will now be a regular theme each MOT.........

Dan.

[mirafioriman]

Try sticking some weight in the boot, driving and giving the brakes some serious action, and also work the handbrake a few times while driving along. Hopefully that will get you the required 1%. It's so close I'm sure if the tester had tried the handbrake a couple of times it would have got 16% or over.

Another thing to do is to use the handbrake in the last few months before the MOT is due. As it's an auto they never get used and do tend to be prone to seizing or becoming 'lazy'.

[dandare1980]

We generally do apply the handbrake when stopped in traffic and parked, but on an auto it seems disproportionate to spend money trying to get it to work like it did off the production line

Aware of this problem from last time I worked the handbrake at least 10 times whilst driving to the MOT station.

I guess the tester could have worked it a few times to get it through. Last time I left it with the centre console off so they could get to the handbrake adjuster bolt. Not sure whether this allowed him to nip it up a little tighter?

Tried the heavy boot trick last time with 6 x 60cm x 60cm large concrete slabs in the back, but didn't seem as effective as using emery paper to take the build up of rust etc. off the discs.

I guess I'll try a combination of things. Didn't have the time to prepare the car as in previous years!

Dan.

[addo]

I have in more recent times, become aware of pistons binding in the caliper bores by virtue of corrosion between the piston seal proper and the dust boot. This will greatly affect both brake and handbrake! Like the 306, Xsara rears are not the easiest to bleed up after refurbing or replacement though.

[dandare1980]

It's a shame I don't know how the rear brakes performed on the test when under the pressure of the pedal, like you say it could be a common problem, just more evident with the handbrake because of the weaker forces applied by the little arm the cable attaches too.

[citroenxm]

Completely, well slightly off topic, but Im amazed they fitted the HDi 110 with auto box in the Xsara.. What a daam shame the Xantia just missed this setup.. The xantia had to make do with the older XUD Turbo. I think a HDi auto would make a wonderfull Xantia.

Anyway, good luck with your brake work, I really dislike working on Disk/Drum rear brakes..

[dandare1980]

As automatics go it's quite a good setup, in the lightweight Xsara we get between 45 and 50 mpg, which for an auto is truly superb.