The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

when you have done that bleed all the brakes so there is new fluid in the system, old fuid absorbs moisture will will effect braking and check the brake hoses are in good condition and not bulging under pressure.

Also, brake pedal should not go to the floor under any circumstances. That will be an MOT fail on its own even if the brakes are effective*. If it does then there's either a lot of air in the system somewhere, a leak (followed quickly by empty resevoir and lots of air in the system), a flexi hose giving way, or the back shoes need adjusting. The last seems to be the most popular reason since makers introduced auto adjusters on everything.

Tighten them till the drums lock then back them off just enough to allow free rotation. Do not back off until there's no contact at all when you spin the wheel because that will be too far unless yoru drums are 100% perfectly true, which they won't be. Slight "swishing" from the pads is fine. That shouldn't mean more than about 2 or 3 clicks of the adjuster at most.





* There are a couple of exceptions but they tend to be diesels with big vacuum pumps and are all modern and (in theory) noted on the MOT system

Yup, i checked all those things. The hoses are new, the back brakes are adjusted and we bled them through a few times.

I have however found the problem. We stripped out the front callipers, and the seals were in poor condition, and full of crap. We still have to test them tonight, but we're going to check the master cylinder & back brakes as well.

Front brakes are now done, however I stripped one of the nuts putting the wheel back on (it was already partially damaged). Does anyone have a spare nut they can post to me 1st class? - I'll reimburse any costs . Only I need it before saturday...

James, pop over and pinch one of my spares if you like. I'm about Tomorrow and Friday.
If the nut's bust, are you sure the stud is ok?

The stud is absolutely fine. I'll be OK for the moment, as the wheel nuts from a Mini fit fine. Look like I'll have to get a new set of wheel nuts at some point soon (Dad wants the nut back, as it came from the trailer)

The new Seals have made a bit of a difference to the brakes, the pedal is a bit harder, but I'm still not sure if it is right

I've also checked the master cylinder and the seals are OK. Is 5/8" the right bore size

james_r_lucas wrote:The new Seals have made a bit of a difference to the brakes, the pedal is a bit harder, but I'm still not sure if it is right

Have you got standard flexi hoses? If so stick an arm in the wheel arch and grasp the flexi as hard as you can in a fist while an assistant presses the brake pedal, repeat down the length of the pipe. You'll feel it if there is any swelling. In my experience changing to braided lines always delivers a spectacular change in pedal feel no matter how new the standard flexis were.

Yes, they are standard flexi hoses. I'm thinking about using braided ones soon, but is just want to get it through the MOT first [-o< [-o< [-o<

I'll try that at some point, as long as my "little" brother is around

Wheel nuts are not a requirement for the mot, just make sure the wheel trim is on secure so the tester cant see the missing wheel nut (i didnt really just type that)

I have spares but wont be able to post till after the weekend.

5/8 is the right bore size, you wouldnt be able to tell the difference if you had the wrong sized bore master unless you had driven the car with both fitted and then the difference would be hardly noticable anyway.

WooHooo

MOT passed

One advisory for Steering column bush

Great news, James

Only one problem - I don't have a tax disc at the moment.

I went into the post offcie to pick up the tax disc, and they tried charging m £120 something quid for it !!! - because it doesn't say "Historical Vehicle" on the V5. So i've been told I either have to post off the V5, Insurance certificate and MOT certificate to DVLA, or go and visit one of their branches. I think I'll do the latter, if i take the train to college I can do it then, plus work will be paying for the train then

Stupid DVLA, clever FWD. Well done!

Ken

james_r_lucas wrote:Only one problem - I don't have a tax disc at the moment.

I went into the post offcie to pick up the tax disc, and they tried charging m £120 something quid for it !!! - because it doesn't say "Historical Vehicle" on the V5. So i've been told I either have to post off the V5, Insurance certificate and MOT certificate to DVLA, or go and visit one of their branches. I think I'll do the latter, if i take the train to college I can do it then, plus work will be paying for the train then

To change the taxation class you usually have to go to the main area HQ. But then they should do it there and then without having to post everything off!

top result, well except the tax disc bit.