Had the GF's trusty 2006 1.4 DSi in for the MOT today and it failed, mostly on the brakes, plus a grocery list of advisories which generally amount to nothing at all really, mainly greased up brake pipes
The rear brakes were dragging - I may have over tweaked the handbrake cable yesterday but the handbrake was only giving 12% max, on the test and it needs 15% supposedly to pass?
The tester advised that the handbrake mechanism was stiff and was not returning or moving across the full range - I've no idea if this is accurate but I can easily agree the handbrake was very poor indeed - wish it had drums like the previous Jazz, which never had any brake issues that I recall.
On that basis, I've ordered two rear calipers and a new front O/S caliper. It cost £115 for all three delivered, so that's a pretty decent price, in my opinion.
No point in messing around with sticky calipers and Scottish winters, as I've found that to be an exercise in futility.
I'd already replaced the very sticky front N/S caliper on Wednesday. so that's a full set of new calipers, all round, for the re-test.
There was mention of the rearward brake pipe as a failure and it sounds like it's not that last portion of the brake line (I know that it's in pristine condition) into the caliper but a section that goes up and over something, I think I know which part that is but it's been a while since I was last under the car - probably last year?
Does anybody have a diagram of the brake line system, so that I know which section of pipe it is and how long it might be? I see that you can order brake likes ready made on eBay these days but was thinking I might just ask a local place to make one up. I'd be happy to make the lines up myself but it's usually pretty cheap to get one made.
The other item, was a worn track rod end but fortunately there was one in a box of new spares from the old car. (If anybody needs a set of shoes for the drums or the front O/S drop link, just let me know, as they are just gathering dust)