pete1987RRC
Well-Known Member
most mot stations take it out for a run with the deceleration thingy...
We use a two wheel brake tester at work. I've questioned if it is likely to do damage, but was assured it is fine and considering how regularly these vehicles get sent for RBT (at minimum, twice a year), if it was a problem I imagine it'd materialise by now.
I can only quote Land rovers view on two wheeled testers. Their instructions for using one are quite explicit. Rolling roads were not about when i did tests, the Tapley meter use was standard. I have had several Land rovers over the last few year and none have ever been brake tested on the rolling road at any of the different testing stations i have used. The one you have maybe an all singing and dancing version, normally they are not in the vast majority of cases.
Wazzajnr
Well-Known Member
Well, I never thought this would generate such a response, I thought I'd get a couple of answers and that would be it.
Anyway, here is my take on it.
On the P38, as I understand it, it is a limited slip centre diff, therefore, it will allow some slip, especially at the low speed that brake testers work. Because of this, I'd be surprised if it damaged an otherwise healthy car. However, that said, there will certainly be SOME load applied to the static side of the drivetrain and I suspect this is the reason for not using it.
Obviously, if it was a fully locked centre diff it would do lots of nasty things. I think land-rover are simply being cautious as there is potential for damage.
It is also written in the testers manual that 4x4 vehicles don't have to be tested on rolling brake tester and can be tested with the decelerometer.
I'm more concerned about the torsional load on the propshaft when they do the parking brake test!
Anyway, here is my take on it.
On the P38, as I understand it, it is a limited slip centre diff, therefore, it will allow some slip, especially at the low speed that brake testers work. Because of this, I'd be surprised if it damaged an otherwise healthy car. However, that said, there will certainly be SOME load applied to the static side of the drivetrain and I suspect this is the reason for not using it.
Obviously, if it was a fully locked centre diff it would do lots of nasty things. I think land-rover are simply being cautious as there is potential for damage.
It is also written in the testers manual that 4x4 vehicles don't have to be tested on rolling brake tester and can be tested with the decelerometer.
I'm more concerned about the torsional load on the propshaft when they do the parking brake test!
Ham fisted testers have been known to snap half shafts testing the transmission brake. On old Jags that could never pass the hand brake test using the Tapley meter, i used to park them on an slight, hill if the car did not move it passed.
Sense at last.
Oh they are far from all singing all dancing. This is MoD equipment, so over priced crap. I can only assume using an RBT is a legacy from the days when Land Rovers had selectable 4 drive, we have a Turnkey BrakeSafe which is used for brake testing trailers or when the RBT is down but never anything else. I wouldn't use a RBT on my own vehicle if it has perma 4drive, but trying to get change to happen in this place is like trying to get blood out of stone. Which is a pain as the Turnkey is much more convenient to use.
