Failed Brake Balancer Test :/
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Martinsburg WV
Failed Brake Balancer Test :/
Im here in Germany and my '88(L98/4+3) failed inspection when the put her on the brake balancer. Now my parking brake works fine as it does hold the car until around 1500rpm. THe numbers I got from the balance are 280 for both fronts and ?30(cant read what the first number is-maybe a 1) for both rears. They listed those numbers under "footbrake" on the inspection paper and under "handbrake" they wrote No Power and 50 for LH and 50 for RH. Any one have any idea what this is indicative of as far as what specifically could be the problem with my parking brake?
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St. Jude Donor '12
We don't have those tests here in the states as far as I know.
You'll have to ask or look up the law for what the minumum values are.
May just need a more agressive pad and a brake fluid flush.
Good Luck!
You'll have to ask or look up the law for what the minumum values are.
May just need a more agressive pad and a brake fluid flush.
Good Luck!
Le Mans Master
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From: Tampa Florida
To me that sounds like they are messing with you. Next time you go back for a re test slide (or leave it out in the open inside the car) the guy some cash within your paper work before you get started - I bet you sail right through. It may sound incorrect but it is pretty much totally legal to do a maximum of a $50 (USD or the equivalent there of) "grease payment"...some personel in various countries expect it.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Martinsburg WV
To me that sounds like they are messing with you. Next time you go back for a re test slide (or leave it out in the open inside the car) the guy some cash within your paper work before you get started - I bet you sail right through. It may sound incorrect but it is pretty much totally legal to do a maximum of a $50 (USD or the equivalent there of) "grease payment"...some personel in various countries expect it.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Austin Texas
Cleaning and lubricating the emergency brake cables and components will go a long way to making the system work better.
On my '91, it will literally stall the engine if you release the clutch with the parking brakes applied...moving nowhere.
On my '91, it will literally stall the engine if you release the clutch with the parking brakes applied...moving nowhere.
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Have you done a fluid flush? Are there any issues with the ABS system? If the line pressures are significantly different between front and rear, it may indicate some sort of problem with the ABS system.
Also, what condition are the rear flexible brake hoses in? It may be that one or both of the rear rubber hoses may be starting to degrade. But it won't affect parking brake performance.
The parking brake is controlled by cables only and uses the rear calipers to hold the car. Each caliper has an arm the cables attach to. But if the parking brake holds the car up to 1500 RPM, is it the German standard that can't be met??
It could also be that the rear calipers are worn or the pistons are not easily moving in the bores.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
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To me that sounds like they are messing with you. Next time you go back for a re test slide (or leave it out in the open inside the car) the guy some cash within your paper work before you get started - I bet you sail right through. It may sound incorrect but it is pretty much totally legal to do a maximum of a $50 (USD or the equivalent there of) "grease payment"...some personel in various countries expect it.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
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Im here in Germany and my '88(L98/4+3) failed inspection when the put her on the brake balancer. Now my parking brake works fine as it does hold the car until around 1500rpm. THe numbers I got from the balance are 280 for both fronts and ?30(cant read what the first number is-maybe a 1) for both rears. They listed those numbers under "footbrake" on the inspection paper and under "handbrake" they wrote No Power and 50 for LH and 50 for RH. Any one have any idea what this is indicative of as far as what specifically could be the problem with my parking brake?
Summit and other companies ship parts just about daily to Europe so getting new parts should not be a problem.
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From: Tampa Florida
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To me that sounds like they are messing with you. Next time you go back for a re test slide (or leave it out in the open inside the car) the guy some cash within your paper work before you get started - I bet you sail right through. It may sound incorrect but it is pretty much totally legal to do a maximum of a $50 (USD or the equivalent there of) "grease payment"...some personel in various countries expect it.
Grease money? waacha talking about? Some lawless city in the states or Mexico?
Le Mans Master
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From: Tampa Florida
Some of this may help.
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 105 excerpt ( http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_20...cfr571.105.htm ):
"Parking brakes must hold a vehicle in forward and reverse directions on a 30% grade for five minutes."
I know your not in England but here is some "Roller brake test info/terms that popped up in a search:
http://www.ukmot.com/3-7.asp
I only skimmed this but perhaps you can get them to disqualify this brake testing....some examples are given.
Ramstein: http://www.ramstein.af.mil/library/f...t.asp?id=17109
"4. Brake inspection
Braking effort from any wheel less than 70% of maximum effort recorded from another wheel on the same axle or during road testing, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight line"
http://www.letsgo-europe.com/Germany...cting_car.html
"In some cases where a car does not pass inspection, but the faults found are not life threatening, you will be able to register your vehicle and receive your plates contingent on you having paid for (and have the receipt for) replacement parts and installation of those parts for your vehicle. It is up to the inspector as to whether this will be acceptable."
Importing a car into Germany FAQs:
http://www.mapsupport.com/thedatabas...prtgvehger.htm
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 105 excerpt ( http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_20...cfr571.105.htm ):
"Parking brakes must hold a vehicle in forward and reverse directions on a 30% grade for five minutes."
I know your not in England but here is some "Roller brake test info/terms that popped up in a search:
http://www.ukmot.com/3-7.asp
I only skimmed this but perhaps you can get them to disqualify this brake testing....some examples are given.
Ramstein: http://www.ramstein.af.mil/library/f...t.asp?id=17109
"4. Brake inspection
Braking effort from any wheel less than 70% of maximum effort recorded from another wheel on the same axle or during road testing, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight line"
http://www.letsgo-europe.com/Germany...cting_car.html
"In some cases where a car does not pass inspection, but the faults found are not life threatening, you will be able to register your vehicle and receive your plates contingent on you having paid for (and have the receipt for) replacement parts and installation of those parts for your vehicle. It is up to the inspector as to whether this will be acceptable."
Importing a car into Germany FAQs:
http://www.mapsupport.com/thedatabas...prtgvehger.htm
Last edited by engle1147; Nov 10, 2011 at 11:48 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,551
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From: Jenks OK
It sounds like it might be more of a problem with the balance between front and rear braking as that's what I normally think of when someone talks about balancing brakes. Are you sure their complaint is with the handbrake?
Suckin' gas, haulin' ass.
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Newport News Virginia
I would do all the PM that has been mentioned. You may be looking at a partially frozen caliper though.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Martinsburg WV
From what I have read, vehicles that belong to US servicemen and are shipped to Europe have to EU license plate and they have to conform to that country's laws. In the past, the military issued their own plates with a "USA" designation on them. I remember we had to pass a safety inspection but it wasn't much more than the basic stuff.
Have you done a fluid flush? Are there any issues with the ABS system? If the line pressures are significantly different between front and rear, it may indicate some sort of problem with the ABS system.
Also, what condition are the rear flexible brake hoses in? It may be that one or both of the rear rubber hoses may be starting to degrade. But it won't affect parking brake performance.
The parking brake is controlled by cables only and uses the rear calipers to hold the car. Each caliper has an arm the cables attach to. But if the parking brake holds the car up to 1500 RPM, is it the German standard that can't be met??
It could also be that the rear calipers are worn or the pistons are not easily moving in the bores.
Have you done a fluid flush? Are there any issues with the ABS system? If the line pressures are significantly different between front and rear, it may indicate some sort of problem with the ABS system.
Also, what condition are the rear flexible brake hoses in? It may be that one or both of the rear rubber hoses may be starting to degrade. But it won't affect parking brake performance.
The parking brake is controlled by cables only and uses the rear calipers to hold the car. Each caliper has an arm the cables attach to. But if the parking brake holds the car up to 1500 RPM, is it the German standard that can't be met??
It could also be that the rear calipers are worn or the pistons are not easily moving in the bores.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 15
From: Martinsburg WV
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 15
From: Martinsburg WV
My regular brakes are fine-never had any abs problems either
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
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From: Martinsburg WV
Alright just to keep you all posted-Ive already got everything needed to do the front C5 upgrade including new rotors and Hawk pads. Also have stainless lines. Just ordered a complete brake cable set. Hopefully my calipers dont need to be replaced.
Last edited by armybyrd; Nov 12, 2011 at 02:28 AM.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Martinsburg WV
I just checked with Summit and they do ship to APO-its just their auctions on ebay that always say no APO for some reason.