Mot Fail - Wishbones / Handbrake.

[Guest midlife-pug]

My 205 GTI failed its MOT the other day on excessive play on both wishbone balljoints and little or no effort from the handbrake.

 

Having purchased 2 new wishbones I then set about removing old ones. The O/S wishbone came off no probs at all, however as with all things Peugeot, the N/S proved a tad more reluctant.

Managed to remove the pinch bolt and front bolt to subframe however the rear nut will not budge. Soaked it with WD40 with little effect.

I can get a 18mm socket onto the bolt but due to limited access can only get a spanner onto the nut which is now starting to round off. I even tried moving the ARB to improve access.

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated however I dont have access to anything involving heating it and as you all know its a bit of a mare getting at the nut.

 

Additionally, whilst speaking to the tester about the handbrake he suggested changing the pads but I think there's probably more to it than that. The handbrake currently holds the car fine whilst stationary however does very little when you pull it on when moving.

The handbrake itself is fairly stiff and doesn't pull up very far.

Any ideas how to remedy this and what might be at fault.

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

Its usually only possible to get a spanner on the rear wishbone nut, if its got to the point its impossible to hold now you might have to resort to dropping the subframe down for better access to that side but thats only 7 bolts so nothing to bad.

 

Removing the subframe completely is a bit more work as it involves either removing the steering rack from the sbframe or undoing the track rod ends & lower column along with the gearchange quadrant & pivot that are bolted to it.

 

As for the handbrake, try cycling the piston in & out of the body a couple of times & check the sliders are free for the caliper to move. If the car isn't used much the rear calipers can become lasy so its worth giving them at least one decent emergency stop test every week when possible imo.

 

Check the adjustment, it should be fully engaged between 7 & 9 notches along with 5mm free cable after the handbrake lever on each caliper. All measured with the rear wheels off the ground.

 

Graham.

[Guest midlife-pug]

Thanks for that Graham.

 

Will have another go at the nut tomorrow and try dropping the subframe a bit. I can get the bolt and nut to turn from the bolt side so with any luck it'll break free with a little more effort.

 

The car hasn't been far lately as I've been tinkering as usual so will take your advice with the handbrake and see if that improves it.