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MOT failed on parking brake
Hi,
First of all, I know, I know. Never go to Kwik Fit. Alas, I did. I'm kind of in the middle of nowhere and it was the only one in reasonable distance. They diagnosed a problem I had with the hand brake in the winter for free and they were right, and I got Hyundai to fix it under the guarantee, so I guess I kinda trusted them after that.
Anyway. My MOT failed because "offside rear parking brake recording little to no effect". The Kwik Fit guy said that the cable has "frozen solid". He's quoted me between £120-£150 to replace it (he couldn't check specifically because I had it done on a bank holiday and suppliers were closed). My question is, would I have felt it if the parking brake is that bad? Or can that kind of problem creep up on you? My parking brake failed (caliper had to be replaced) in the winter and that was only affecting one wheel, but I noticed it. Even on the tiniest of inclines, my car was sliding. It didn't feel right when I pulled on the actual hand brake, either.
This time I can't feel any difference at all. On the way back I stopped on the steepest hill I could find and it didn't move at all, not even when the car was given a slight push.
I'm asking how likely it is to have that problem without noticing it because I'm trying to decide whether it's worth the risk of paying for an additional quote. They're quoting me £120-£150, but if they're RIGHT, it's going to cost me £50 to diagnose elsewhere, than another MOT at £30, then the cost of fixing it. I'm not sure whether to cut my losses or fight it but risk losing more.
First of all, I know, I know. Never go to Kwik Fit. Alas, I did. I'm kind of in the middle of nowhere and it was the only one in reasonable distance. They diagnosed a problem I had with the hand brake in the winter for free and they were right, and I got Hyundai to fix it under the guarantee, so I guess I kinda trusted them after that.
Anyway. My MOT failed because "offside rear parking brake recording little to no effect". The Kwik Fit guy said that the cable has "frozen solid". He's quoted me between £120-£150 to replace it (he couldn't check specifically because I had it done on a bank holiday and suppliers were closed). My question is, would I have felt it if the parking brake is that bad? Or can that kind of problem creep up on you? My parking brake failed (caliper had to be replaced) in the winter and that was only affecting one wheel, but I noticed it. Even on the tiniest of inclines, my car was sliding. It didn't feel right when I pulled on the actual hand brake, either.
This time I can't feel any difference at all. On the way back I stopped on the steepest hill I could find and it didn't move at all, not even when the car was given a slight push.
I'm asking how likely it is to have that problem without noticing it because I'm trying to decide whether it's worth the risk of paying for an additional quote. They're quoting me £120-£150, but if they're RIGHT, it's going to cost me £50 to diagnose elsewhere, than another MOT at £30, then the cost of fixing it. I'm not sure whether to cut my losses or fight it but risk losing more.
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Comments
If the calliper is reported as being seized the rear disc should show signs of surface rust, and you ought to have noticed unequal braking with maybe a slight pull to the opposite side.
Why not pop back to Kwikfit and ask them to show you it not working?
The only way to be certain is to carry out a brake force imbalance test on a rolling road, or to strip the mechanism down and inspect the components (not recommended unless understand how a car's braking systems work).
If you don't trust Kwik Fit I'd suggest finding someone you can trust. Small independent garages are often cheaper than the fast fit centers (even for tyres), and as they rely heavily on regular repeat customers they tend to be more reliable and treat customers better.
Local councils MOT testers are often open to the public and as they do not do repairs there is no incentive for them fail good cars. The downside is that if they do fail it you have to find somewhere else to repair it.
I had it fixed at a country garage, took about an hour and cost very little. You shouldn't have to pay anyone to diagnose the problem, just take it to them and tell them there's a problem with the handbrake cable and it needs freeing up. You don't need any new parts so I'm not sure where they're getting £150 from.
http://www.halfordsautocentres.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CarServicingDisplayView?storeId=11602&langId=-1&catalogId=19253&categoryId=276256#.U1Z9gfn-onM
To add to that....the handbrake may feel unusually slack and then tight the last notch or two.
From my own experience with these rear calipers they do stick and cause problems with the handbrake....It's very unusual that the cable is seized, but still possible.
Again, from my own experience, the right hand side is the most common for sticking....you could get yourself a torch and get someone to work the handbrake on and off and look behind the wheels to see if the cable is pulling the brake on and releasing it.
You may see that one of the pivots is not returning to its resting position which means that as you pull the handbrake on, the cable is not being pulled because it is already in the "on" position.
It's also possible that the brake pads have seized solid in their carrier.
I could give you a detailed method of freeing up the caliper if that is what the problem is.
Sometimes they do seize, but as one side works fine then it will hold fine on a hill.
Handbrake calipers are the worst thing ever, minidrums inside the disc are better but cost more.
The only modern Peugeot I know of that has the handbrake by the drivers right hand is the Peugeot Expert van 2004 to 2007.
The OP has a Hyundai.
Agreed, minidrums are better, but not best!
As the caliper and disc has to be removed for the checking of the shoes and lubricating of the mechanism maintenance is often ignored.
But still best out of drums, discs and minidrums, and those horrible handbrake calipers
The irony is they advertise themselves as 'safer' than independent garages because they're a chain but that logic just makes no sense in the real world.
Genuine local mechanics want to protect their reputation, wheras Kwik-Fit, as a chain, is far too big to give a shit.
I always wait for it to be done, and they call me at the end to point out any problems while it's still up on the hoist.
They charge the full fee, but there is no extra charge for a re-test.
Quite a lot of places are doing offers on MOT these days, but I'd rather put some trust in fully trained and experienced mechanics than up-graded tyre fitters.
Three cheers for Kwik Fit !.......... Hip Hip...........;-)
Oh, I know
It appears that the problem is related to the caliper then?
Do you live in Holland? ;-)
I drive automatics and never ever use the handbrake
What about a 'hill start';-)?
Not even when parked?