So quite a heavy beast.
I take it you had to go to a commercial type testing station, class 5?
That weight of vehicle unless a camper has to be kept off road overnight.
I always kept to a max of 3.5 tonne for my vans.
General New Brakes
- Thread starter Code Breaker
- Start date
Currently reading:
General New Brakes
I take it you had to go to a commercial type testing station, class 5?
That weight of vehicle unless a camper has to be kept off road overnight.
I always kept to a max of 3.5 tonne for my vans.
Code Breaker
Member
Yes my first commercial after 25 years, learning as I go, yes parked up on my driveway, yes I have to take it to a commercial mot tester down road, looking to convert to a camper.
A bit to heavy unladen to get "downrated" to 3.5 tonne.
A bit of a learning curve then
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Check the servo is fully operational. Maybe change the vacuum pipe and check the vacuum pump is working properly. Car MOT is certainly 16%. Im not sure what this means as the handbrake on our last MOT was not much more according to the test but will easily lock both wheels. As the rear brakes were specifically serviced by the testing garage the day before it seemed odd it was so poor on the test. All corners low suggests servo or master cylinder may be a cause?
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
As long as they are genuine parts. Its so difficult not to get done these days even with places as well known as GSF. They should be OK ,though I had a lot of trouble with a door lock from them that were not decent and not suitable for RHD cars. They are not bomb proof.
Once the wheels lock/skid then no more braking effort can be read on the meters, however if you put two or three passengers in the same vehicle , then that hand brake reading would be higher, so in effect a higher % brake reading of efficiency.
So arguably if a braking system can lock the wheels of a 1 tonne car, if the same braking system could lock the wheels on a much heavy car then a higher brake meter reading would show.
However if the weight of the heavy vehicle is entered into the efficiency highest reading before locking/skidding the wheels then % would change also.
Obviously the servo operation is important, however I was taught at college that all the servo does is reduce pedal effort, so a strong man pressing the brake pedal could stop the car with no servo as well as a weak man with a servo.
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Thankyou for the explanation. I feel better about the low reading now,Once the wheels lock/skid then no more braking effort can be read on the meters, however if you put two or three passengers in the same vehicle , then that hand brake reading would be higher, so in effect a higher % brake reading of efficiency.
So arguably if a braking system can lock the wheels of a 1 tonne car, if the same braking system could lock the wheels on a much heavy car then a higher brake meter reading would show.
However if the weight of the heavy vehicle is entered into the efficiency highest reading before locking/skidding the wheels then % would change also.
Obviously the servo operation is important, however I was taught at college that all the servo does is reduce pedal effort, so a strong man pressing the brake pedal could stop the car with no servo as well as a weak man with a servo.
You might say tha about a servo, but I wouldnt stop anything much without the servo these days. Has the tester got a wooden let though?? If the servo lacks and he just aint pushing hard enough. If hes 10 ton weakling like me......
EDIT
My total milage driven is nealry 1.9million miles. My right leg is still 50% larger in circumference than my left 10 years after retirement, from being either used to make the throttle pedal make a dent in the the floor boards or the brakes being used ato the max. Funny thinking about braking. Its a fact that company cars stop in 1/3 the distance of privately owned cars. Still makes me smile when I think about an admin lady using my Vectra one day and coming back pronouncing that my Vectra was way the fastest freeest revving car in the fleet. Must be the smooth driving style I employed.....
Last edited:
Back in the late 1960s I and a fellow apprentice mechanic at the time both had tuned up Ford 105E Anglias with the same standard braking system with no servo, he fitted a servo and could reach down and press the foot brake with his hand to stop the car (after he had pulled his face off the windscreen)
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
In the days before such niceties you had so much more feel. I often wish you could go back to those times. Who really needs a servo on a car the size of a Panda. I assume its all tied up to the mandatory ABS etc we now endure. Sorry enjoy. Ditto power steering.Back in the late 1960s I and a fellow apprentice mechanic at the time both had tuned up Ford 105E Anglias with the same standard braking system with no servo, he fitted a servo and could reach down and press the foot brake with his hand to stop the car (after he had pulled his face off the windscreen)
Code Breaker
Member
How do you check the vacuum pump and servo? there's no DTC's recorded other than P035F which I was told to ignore
I did this and it is as is in video
I did this and it is as is in video
Last edited:
Strangely enough that is basically what I advised another Forum member a few days ago.
Code Breaker
Member
Thanks for the replies folks, I'm a bit under the weather at moment and will get back to the brakes over next few days and will update.
Where are you all located? Im in East London.
Where are you all located? Im in East London.
Only 250 miles away.
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Norfolk on high
