E30 Zone

I have two small problems with my iS.

1) The brake pad warning light comes on intermittently?

2) The handbrake sometimes doesn't pull up on one side?

Does anyone know if these are MOT failures?

Thanks.

MrBroon wrote:Does anyone know if these are MOT failures?

I've been told the second one is, mine had the same problem

What was the fix if you don't mind me asking?

james

sounds like the handbrake shoes need tightening. this is done by turning the star shaped adjuster inside the disc, which is only accesable through the wheel bolt hole near the tophalf of the hub. i forgot which way you rotate it now as i havent done it for ages.

tools you need are wd40, a torch and a long flatblade screwdriver.

could also be the handbrake cable that need tightening.

MrBroon wrote:What was the fix if you don't mind me asking?

It's likely it's just as Jon described, I didn't ask as the garage did it and didn't put it on the bill

Perhaps as it was such an easy job!

Thanks guys, off out now to have a go.

Well took off the wheels and I couldn't find what you described, when I looked through the bolts there was nothing there that I could use a screwdriver to adjust, what should I have been looking for?

I had a go with the sensor but no matter what I jiggled it wouldn't go off.

Nevermind I'll let you know how the garage fixed it on Thursday night.

Cheers.

2 adjust the rear shoes ,u need 2 turn drum till 1 of the bolt holes is near top,shine ur torch through it and u c the adjuster between the shoes at the top.u click the adjuster 1 way and it will take up the handbrake.its hard 2c ,esp when covered in brake dust!mite help 2 blow through hole .it is a mot failure if its not working 1 side or the balance between the 2 is alot.the brake warning light ,i would just take the bulb out!!!

Ah, that explains it, I've got discs all round on the iS. I'd thought of the bulb idea, but thanks for mentioning it.

For the pad light, ignore the cowboys who tell you to take the bulb out, and do a search for " 220 ohm resistor" on this forum.
If your garage has "adjusted" your handbrake, and didn't charge for it, I would suspect they've just tightened the handbrake cables. This will ruin your handbrake shoes, and the handbrake's efficiency will reduce to the point where it becomes dangerous (but still good enough for MOT).
The handbrake cables should only need adjusting when new and possibly after a settling in period. Handbrake adjustment must be done in the hub.
If this is what your garage has done, then I suggest you find another one that doesn't employ chimps. If by some chance they have done the job properly, then, my apologies.

The handbrake pulling to one side isn't an MOT fail if the brake is working efficiently, mine passed and was advised it needed adjusting but wasn't dangerous. All sorted now though