Hi,
Took my old '97 C180 in for its MOT on Saturday, to Halfrauds, which I now totally regret
Fully expected it to pass as it was driving fine, and had checked the things a non-mechanic person (me) would look at so was hoping for it just to go through
Went to pick it up in the afternoon and it had failed, predominantly on the brakes (but also some underside suspension mounting corrosion and headlamp alignment which I wasn't aware of)
On the brakes we have:
* Front to rear brake pipe excessively corroded
* Service brake efficiency below requirements
* (rear brake application) Brake pedel creeps down under servo assistance and touches the floor
On driving away the parking brake light was on (low brake fluid I later realise) and the normal service brake is very poor (it does work but it needs to go nearly all the way down before it takes effect).
Managed to get back home safely and noted that brake fluid was on the min line.
Topped up to max and went for a drive round the block after pumping the brake pedal a lot before going but it made no difference. If anything it's actually a little worse.
The next day the fluid was down about 5mm but this might just be due to settling? It's not gone down any further today. There's no obvious leaks under the car.
Whatever Halfords have done either on purpose, or just through normal MOT testing has b*ggered the brakes so now need to try and get rectified ASAP (and sort out the rest of the items so I can get my MOT)
There is no resistance on the pedal when pumping either with the engine on or off and it never gets hard
. What does that mean?
I will take it to a mechanic to hae a look at, and may even bob it down to Ian at 124works if it wasn't so out of the way but wondered if anyone had any ideas on what it might be in case it ends up at a non-merc specialist who hopefully won't try and fleece me...?
Thanks in advance,
Alex
PS - Halfords - never again, even with their half price MOT offer
Took my old '97 C180 in for its MOT on Saturday, to Halfrauds, which I now totally regret
Fully expected it to pass as it was driving fine, and had checked the things a non-mechanic person (me) would look at so was hoping for it just to go through
Went to pick it up in the afternoon and it had failed, predominantly on the brakes (but also some underside suspension mounting corrosion and headlamp alignment which I wasn't aware of)
On the brakes we have:
* Front to rear brake pipe excessively corroded
* Service brake efficiency below requirements
* (rear brake application) Brake pedel creeps down under servo assistance and touches the floor
On driving away the parking brake light was on (low brake fluid I later realise) and the normal service brake is very poor (it does work but it needs to go nearly all the way down before it takes effect).
Managed to get back home safely and noted that brake fluid was on the min line.
Topped up to max and went for a drive round the block after pumping the brake pedal a lot before going but it made no difference. If anything it's actually a little worse.
The next day the fluid was down about 5mm but this might just be due to settling? It's not gone down any further today. There's no obvious leaks under the car.
Whatever Halfords have done either on purpose, or just through normal MOT testing has b*ggered the brakes so now need to try and get rectified ASAP (and sort out the rest of the items so I can get my MOT)
There is no resistance on the pedal when pumping either with the engine on or off and it never gets hard
. What does that mean?I will take it to a mechanic to hae a look at, and may even bob it down to Ian at 124works if it wasn't so out of the way but wondered if anyone had any ideas on what it might be in case it ends up at a non-merc specialist who hopefully won't try and fleece me...?
Thanks in advance,
Alex
PS - Halfords - never again, even with their half price MOT offer
