MOT for Freelander - 2 wheel brake tester ? (AGAIN !)

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Joe_H

Joe_H

Well-Known Member
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1,486
Location
Brit in Northern Portugal
Hi all, I know this has been discussed before - and on searching there doesn't seem to be any definite answer (or, not one I can find).

What I would like advice on is the following.
During an MOT brake test on a freelander, is it perfectly acceptable to use a standard 2 wheel brake roller tester ?.
Here in Portugal - they seem to think it is (for the IPO (MOT) - (but over here - ANYthing is acceptable lol :) ................. and, no responsibility is ever taken by anyone for any fault... - but again I digress .......... tum te tum te tum o_O
That is probably due to the local 're conditioner' of VCU's producing units that need race track revs to engage. !:rolleyes:

Seriously though. I can see nothing in the user manual - my local Land Rover garage (Albeit a multi Marque 'dealer') says no problems.
I can find no actual advice or definitive answer - only what appear to be anecdotal offerings.
Is there anyone who has actual documented details on the why's and wherefore's of testing for this aspect ?
I would though that Land Rover would have produced guidance on this aspect ? (Maybe they have ?)

I am aware of the supposed contra-rotating testers etc - but still.. surely ? LR themselves would have pointed out the necessity of a certain methodology ?
Interested in your thoughts or reference to some documented as opposed to anecdotal information.
Thanks guys, and sorry for bringing up a subject that has been discussed before (but in my opinion - never really answered)
:confused:
Cheers and Beers (especially for Skinny Mike's micro-dog on the beermat) :D
Joe
 
I had a freelander for 9 years, the hand brake test was always done on a standard two wheel roller tester, it never caused me any problems.
It had 74000 on the clock when I bought it, I had to change the VCU around 85000 and when I sold it, it had done 149000 miles. So no, I don't think the standard two wheel roller tester is a problem.
 
here in France the MOT test station uses additional rollers for the non tested wheels

Maybe the speed of the brake test is low enough not to thicken the VCU fluid even with full slip...............???
 
not exactly

2 wheels are on the rotating friction rolls set into the ground and the other 2 wheels are put onto mobile steel rollers (which weigh a ton !!!)

got me ???
 
digby said:
not exactly

2 wheels are on the rotating friction rolls set into the ground and the other 2 wheels are put onto mobile steel rollers (which weigh a ton !!!)

got me ???
Click to expand...
Hi mate, yes, that is a 4 wheel tester as the rear wheels are allowed to rotate - the tester - tests the front and allows the rear to freewheel - and visa versa - that IS a 4 wheel test system. !
Joe
 
OK - guess so

i though you meant that all 4 wheels were driven by the brake test system at the same time .............

with this system the tester tests 1 axle at a time but the non tested axle is free to rotate on the steel rollers
 
digby said:
OK - guess so

i though you meant that all 4 wheels were driven by the brake test system at the same time .............

with this system the tester tests 1 axle at a time but the non tested axle is free to rotate on the steel rollers
Click to expand...
Exactly - that is a 4wd tester mate. as opposed to the opposite axle being fixed on the ground
 
The guys at the mot center I use have a 4 wheel tester. But they test:
Front, rears left to rotate
Rear, fronts left to rotate
Front, rear locked on rollers
Rear, fronts locked on rollers
Never done the vcu any damage, and I'm happy that they are methodical in their testing and only ever do it this way when a 4x4 is in for a test.
2 wheel drive is dealt with,
Front, rear locked on roller
Rear, front locked on roller
I've used these guys for 23 years!! And tested 11 different cars with them. Always the same test.
And not one failed test and only 2 advisories in all that time:):):)
Aren't I the smart arse!
Mike
 
Mine went through its warrant today - passed with flying colours - must the the expertise of the day-to-day mechanic that works on it :)

I digress, I think they tested the bakes with a road test - she'll be right.
 
Took the Starlet along for its warrant as well - went to hand the keys over, but remembered the high brake light was out - so dismantled it, wiggled some wires (did I say I'm an expert mechanic) so it came on and gave the bloke the keys telling him I didn't have time to fix the clicking CV. Passed with flying colours. 1 advisory - "you've got metal showing on right front tyre, get it replaced". I followed son driving Starlet home, bloody high brake light gone already!
 
You can't test a Freelander with its VCU connected with a conventional single axle roller, unless the other axle is on additional rollers or is lifted clear of the floor.
The Freelander should have all brake tests carried out on a road test with a decelerometer fitted to the passenger seat.
You couldn't put my V6 Freelander on a 2 wheel roller as it shuts off, showing an overload on the display. I know this is the case because I tried it myself out of curiosity.
The same overload is also detected if a single wheel test is tried on the rear axle of something like a Nissan Terrano with a limited slip diff.
Not even a D3 with an electronic centre diff can be tested on a single roller brake tester rig. That's a road test, decelerometer on seat test too.
 
Good old Tapley meter - brings back memories of MOTing Model Y Fords and Moggie Series Es in the dark with the tester peering as the tapley while we applied a little surreptitious handbrake
 
GrumpyGel said:
Mine went through its warrant today - passed with flying colours - must the the expertise of the day-to-day mechanic that works on it :)

I digress, I think they tested the bakes with a road test - she'll be right.
Click to expand...
Hi GG, I thought your truck was 2WD due to IRD issues mate ? so I do not see how you could have had an issue ?
Joe :confused:
 
Skinny Mike said:
The guys at the mot center I use have a 4 wheel tester. But they test:
Front, rears left to rotate
Rear, fronts left to rotate
Front, rear locked on rollers
Rear, fronts locked on rollers
Never done the vcu any damage, and I'm happy that they are methodical in their testing and only ever do it this way when a 4x4 is in for a test.
2 wheel drive is dealt with,
Front, rear locked on roller
Rear, front locked on roller
I've used these guys for 23 years!! And tested 11 different cars with them. Always the same test.
And not one failed test and only 2 advisories in all that time:):):)
Aren't I the smart arse!
Mike
Click to expand...
Hi Mike,
I am slightly baffled so please help me out here - :eek::oops::rolleyes:
Ok, soooooo. at any point in the test(s) - why were the front or rears EVER 'locked on the rollers' as you put it ? - it does not make sense to me ? - what is the point of a second axle free roller unit otherwise ?
Also, what do you mean by "2 wheel drive is dealt with," ---- ??
I am looking for 4WD reasons not 2WD ?
Cheers Mike
Joe
 
Nodge68 said:
You can't test a Freelander with its VCU connected with a conventional single axle roller, unless the other axle is on additional rollers or is lifted clear of the floor.
The Freelander should have all brake tests carried out on a road test with a decelerometer fitted to the passenger seat.
You couldn't put my V6 Freelander on a 2 wheel roller as it shuts off, showing an overload on the display. I know this is the case because I tried it myself out of curiosity.
The same overload is also detected if a single wheel test is tried on the rear axle of something like a Nissan Terrano with a limited slip diff.
Not even a D3 with an electronic centre diff can be tested on a single roller brake tester rig. That's a road test, decelerometer on seat test too.
Click to expand...
Nodge, I really think that - in so far as I can ascertain (I am awaiting permission to quote some of my 'answers to appropriate questions') - that this is absolutely the correct answer.
I have also contacted Land Rover themselves and am awaiting a definitive decisions. I have information from a trainer of MOT testers in the UK also - who agree with you 100%.
I would go as far as to say that possibly one of the major failures of transmissions in the Freelander (with the information I have so far), is probably the failure of MOT testing station to appropriately test the braking systems leading to damage of the transmission components - not failure in an immediate sense - but in a 'beyond tolerance' strain being placed on the IRD (Including front diff) and also the rear diff - leading to premature failure. This may in fact turn out to be one of the greatest reasons for FL transmission failure.
I eagerly await a response -if ever received - from Land Rover - and permission to quote responses from many other well known and well respected sources as opposed to anecdotal responses
Joe.
 
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