Well, my Broomy Plus failed it's MOT today.

Is due this Friday, but took it in a few days early, just in case any problems arose and sure enough.....

1) Nearside trackrod end. excessive play.

2) Handbrake imbalanced!! Lucky to have a handbrake that works on a Coupe!! 90 one side, 150 the other. I said it was set up that way on purpose for handbrake turns at specific tight bends, but the tester wasn't having it.

Anyway, that's it; no advisories or any other issues, so parts on order from Alternative Autos for less than £45 including VAT and carriage. This includes a pair of handbrake cables which may not need changing, but just in case.

Will let the testing station do the work as the MOT was free. It's a company called Drive In Auto Centre in Newton Abbot and every time you visit and spend money, tyres, batteries etc., you get a stamp on a loyalty card. 5 X stamps equals a free MOT test, so it only seems fair that they earn an hours labour from me. Plus I'm not feeling like getting under the car.

I always use them for straightforward stuff that I can't do by the roadside and use Joe at FCSS for more serious stuff. A guy called Marcus who works there, owns an Alfa 156 2.5 V6 and I always trust him cause he's an enthusiast.

So, all in all, I'm happy. Two simple jobs and she's good for another year. Will need a service soon though.

WooHoo, got parts today, so will have fresh MOT Monday.

Have you greased up the rear compensator and also put some weight in the boot because this will help I've found. If there doing cables get him to just give the compensator a going over because it will probably be stiff/seized anyway.

Not sure what Mrs Pigman will think of this idea, but she may co-operate if she thinks it will help sell the car.

Good to read it's just the usual it's failed on Pete and nothing serious

Thanks Joe and thanks Knight7660 for your suggestion on compensator. I'm struggling to see why the compensator would affect the handbrake balance.

Footbrake is fine with no imbalance reported, just handbrake and if compensator was seized or sticking, surely it would only affect front/rear brake balance and not left/right handbrake balance.

Have tried searching forum for answers on handbrake imbalance and so far can't find anything directly relevant.

Is it just a matter of making an adjustment to the tension of the cable giving the lower result, or am I being stupid?

The compensator shouldn't affect handbrake balance, but its worth looking at while you're down there.

You cant adjust the tension on the individual cables. They are both operated in parallel from the handbrake lever.

If one caliper cable has significantly stretched compared to the other you would get a difference in brake effect. Have a look at how far the lever moves on each caliper when you put the brake on. It should be about the same on each side.

You could also wind in both caliper pistons and set up the handbrake from there.

Have fun

Thanks lost55, but I don't intend to get under the car. Too cold and miserable by the side of the road and I live on a hill. Will get Marcus at Drive In Auto Centre in Newton Abbot to do it. You may know them. He's an Alfa enthusiast, but not a Coupe specialist and seeing as I got a free MOT test, thanks to their loyalty system, I'm happy to let him do the work.

I just don't want him to take too long, because that will cost, so have bought new cables just in case and want to be able to point him to quickest way to get good handbrake balance. Sounds like maybe best to get him to change cables?

If in doubt change everything! Coupe paranoia time

Think he just needs to get it on a ramp and inspect cables and operation and take it from there.

I haven't used them, I try and do as much of my own work as I can, but he sounds like a good guy.

Don't know how you're only going to cope with one coupe though If you sell the broomy will it come with the sunglasses as well?

Cheers

I must have been wearing the Roy Orbison lookalikes when I met you. As it happens they're prescription varifocals, so doubtful they'd be any good to any potential buyer.

But....for the right price?

As for coping with only one Coupé......well, it's either one Coupé and one wife, or two Coupés and no wife!

Prescription varifocal sunglasses.....you must have really good eyesight to see through those

I hope Mrs P appreciates the sacrifice you're making for her.

Both your cars look really good so it'll be interesting to see what price level you go for when you list them.

Cheers

The compensator can definitely cause rear brake left / right balance issues. I don't know why, but I had an MOT failure for the same reason. I just changed the compensator so I cannot say if greasing / freeing it up will work or not, but worth a try.

Merci French-Coupé.

Get plenty of weight in the boot and brake nice and hard a few times - I always do this before an MOT, just to give the compensator a little work out!

Happy. All done.

T, any chance of changing Subject to 'Nana Plus MOT Passed.

Done

Congratulations

You're a star T, as ever and thanks Joe, glad I got you to do engine mount.

Are you getting near to having a credit rating again with Mrs Pigman then?

Seems to be improving, but will only be right (or as right as is possible) once I either sell the Broomy Plus or the Inky VT6.

I seem to be dragging my heels for some reason. Really need to clean, polish and valet both cars, then take them somewhere nice for some fresh photos. Then it's the hassle of providing all that detail that seems to go into the ads on here. Though, the detail is helpful and appreciated, so I guess, with heavy heart, that I should get on with it.

Much harder to get credit rating with wife than with the bank though.

p.s. She'd make a great BumbleBee Mk II.

Judging by your quote you have to be referring to Mrs Pigman, which is confusing!

No, I meant the 'Nana Plus. Mrs Pigman would have to be a queen bee!

You also have to send me your details in order to get sellers permissions first too, which I may refuse so you can't sell any.
Sorry Mrs Pigman

Great news!

Guess what's for supper, bacon