Massive MOT failure - thanks for the help, singing off for few months!

[Steve_B]

Had some very bad news when I took the old girl for an MOT, was quoted a grand for repairs. Can anyone advise me on what to do for the list here and what parts/tools I will need. Or, if anyone in the london/home counties area fancies some cash in hand work this weekend we could sort someithng out. Here goes:

1. Nearside rear brake cable has restricted free movement - caliper is seized they said, they want to replace it but can it be freed.

2. Rear bias brake valve seized - might be able to free it up but not looking likely.

3. Nearside front lower suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint. Guess the whole hub has to come off to get to this

4. Nearside front macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment - one of the bearings I was told

5. Parking brake efficiency below requirements - due to number 1 I think

6. Service brake imbalanced on a steered axle - due to the problem I put in a previous post I think about the rusty bleed nipple.

That's it. All stuff I haven't really touched before, my experience and collection of tools will not cover some of this stuff I think. Sorry about the length of this as well, but any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Steve


-- She has now passed her MOT, only thing I didn't manage to do was loosen the bolts for front caliper, broke a few tools trying though  so garage did that. Bill went down to 65 quid instead of a grand, with about 150 on parts so top result there I think.

I'm going travelling for a few months now, car will be off road for the time. Just wanted to say thanks for all the help I've got from here, this is a  site.

Back in a few months!

Steve

[Judderi]

That little lot isnt gonna cost you much at all to fix.

1. New caliper

2. This should free up. If not just replace it.

3. New ball joint. Dead easy to do and no you dont have to take the whole hub off.

4. Never heard of a macpherson other than elle. But im guessing they mean the front suspension has play at the top. This will just be the top mount needing replacing.

5. New caliper

6. New caliper

All in all yes you need a few tools. Socket set. Brake pipe spanners. Strut top tool. Spring compressors. And about 1 days work hopefully. Certainly not 1k teritory!

[...joe]

they're having a laugh trying to charge you a grand!!

1: replacement caliper if needed is £50-ish,
2:brake bias valve is about £45 from gsf,
3: bottom ball joint will take half hour and cost about a tenner for the part,
4: top mount i assume? around a tenner each,
5: due to number one,
6: not sure. you could do it all yourself in under a day unless you get some unforseen problem. if i was near you i'd help you out! you'll also need a brake fluid flush/bleed if you're changing the bias valve.

[Judderi]

I hate garages!

[Steve_B]

Where's best to get replacement calipers from? Or is there a way to free up seized ones?

[Judderi]

http://www.vwspares.co.uk/

[Gambit]

get them from a scrappy, or you can free them up - i done a wee guide oinks ago about it though its not in the maintenance section

basically you just knock the handrake mechanism pin on the caliper out about an inch rub round that inch with a bit of wet n dry till rust free. splash loads of wd-40, and grease all round it and knock it back in

if your getting replacement caliper then get late mk3 94 onwards items as these do not seize like mk2 items

[Judderi]

Good advice. See if you can dig out that how to and move it to the maintainence section.

[Steve_B]

Anyone know a good way of getting front caliper bolts out. They're done by allen key, and I really don't think they'll come off just using the key.

[bustersballs]

You hate garages??!! I run a garage and sell a fair few used parts, but hey-ho,attitude like that gets you nothing. Admitted a grand is f-ing ridiculous, round this way £300-£350 would do it so Christ knows what their labour rate is, but don't tar us all with the same brush just cos some-ones tried to have your pants down.