[align=center][b][u][size=3]Disc/Drum type brake system applicable to some Vauxhall/Rover type vehicles[/size][/u][/b][/align]
Having noticed this problem going to be described on many vehicles over the years and even VOSA pointing this problem out in their Matters of Testing some time back is amazing how the Reasons for Rejections have not been updated to compensate in the light of experience.
The above vehicles can and do suffer from park brake release mechanisms not releasing properly and therefore permitting brake bind after the park brake has been released, VOSA pointed to this problem when they discovered a motorist driving his Vectra where the rear brake drums/discs had shattered due to brake bind, but what does the manual say we should do?
Method of Inspection (3.7A.7a) says;
With one set of rollers revolving at a time and keeping the button pressed in on the park brake lever, apply the park brake until maximum effort is achieved or wheel locks or slips on the roller.
Reason for Rejection (3.7A.7a) says;
Little or no braking effort is recorded from the parking brake on any wheel, indicating clearly that the brake is not functioning correctly.
So when I observe that the brake does not release and indicates readings like 50Kgf with the park brake lever fully released, if this was present on the service brake using (3.7A.5a) to show if a significant brake effort was present without the brake applied, it would fail and be considered “dangerous”, yet the park brake is a “Pass and Advise” for the same type of fault?
What do you guys think.
David:D
