Rear Brakes and MOT

[Grayone]

I have had my car in for some minor work to the brakes and an MOT. The front discs and pads replaced, Goodridge hoses and a 'B' service. However the garage can't get the beast through the MOT due to insufficient braking on the rear. Discs were somewhat rusty through lack of use past 12 months but handbrake works fine. Any advice much appreciated as the weather appears to be taking a turn for the better.

[novacaine]

If your handbrake is working ok but your braking at the rear is insufficient, I think that would imply that there is something wrong with the hydraulic side of the rear breaking system.

I would start with looking at the brake compensator (bias) valves

[Rusty Wishbone]

A few questions:

Are the rear brakes fairly even in their braking performance?
Did the front brakes pass well, or only just?
What is brake feel like? Can the brake pedal be pushed right to the bottom?

The areas I am wondering about are the brake proportioning valves, whether better pads would improve things, whether there is air in the system, and whether the rear calipers need rebuilding.

[Grayone]

Panic over... Rear brakes OK. Apparently just needed a bit of 'left foot' braking due to being unused for 18 months. Serves me right for being miserly in the winter months, oh and having to deal with 93 year old parents, so not using the car! Now it has a ticket and it WILL stay on the road!

Thanks for all the advice.

[novacaine]

Nice and simple then, I'm glad it has been sorted for you

[epipete]

I wish I had 93 yr old parents!

[Grayone]

You could have mine, parents that is. No not seriously but the stress that comes with sorting them independently, one into a nursing home and one still in his own home does bring its stresses.

As for the car, which is what this site is all about - I have learnt my lesson. I must keep it on the road and use it rather than let it fester, and if possible find space in the garage. Tomorrow I pick the car up, go and get the VED then go for a blast. But as an eternal pessimist, worry all the time that the cambelt will snap! Next job