Special Notice 8-2013

It's so good I printed it twice, once for me & once for the SM. It seems that brake imbalance is almost extinct, with the emphasis moved to uneven application & release.

I had an S reg Mercedes Sprinter van in for a retest yesterday. It had previously failed on about 9 things and had about 10 advisories. One of the fails was a 50% imbalance on the front. I told the presenter I belived it could be due to the OSF caliper sticking.

On retest I was told all fails had been correctly rectified and the presenter had said the caliper was stripped an freed off. Logged on the retest. Up on the ramp all going well, brake test last. Failed again on front imbalance of 41%. 3 wheels locked (inc. both fronts) and overall efficiency was well over 50%. He was told to come back on the 15th for his pass certificate.

..... just like we used to, only we call it uneven application now 

That might keep Europe happy.

There again, hopefully it won't. 

In that case Gaz , the balance is fine, one locked at 250, and the other was pretty close when it locked. The other went on to lock around 400 proving nothing about the brake balance, but demonstrating that one tyre grips better than the other.

When will VOSA understand that you can't judge balance unless both wheels are turning together. This new SN recommends spinning the wheels one at a time if you can't get a reading spinning as a pair.


I have an appeal going against me now on brake balance! Spinning together my RBT trips when the offside wheel locks at 310, and the nearside is on 200, Presenter went to the main dealers who recently fitted pads to knackered discs where they spun the wheels individually and locked both out at about 330. They sent him back to us, I failed it again so he went back to them. They say the brakes are perfect and sent him back to us for a V17.

I'm glad I've applied for a job that takes me away from testing, with a bit of luck I'll hang on to my smartcard till then.

I have to agree with pete on that

I agree with you phaetonott. It's not an accurate result but rules is rules. I'm sure you will be fine in your appeal. You followed the MOI even though you front agree with it. I've not met a test yet that does but I know a few who still do the test the way it was before the big change.

Good luck with your appeal and I hope you continue to use these forums whatever happens in your career.

Thanks for the support guys, I'll still be involved, all going according to plan, but maybe need a change of category.

Don't you dare leave the forum even if you leave the testing trade. We'd all miss your cheerful tales of your happy-go-lucky view of life and your refreshing view of day-to-day dealings with your customers.

Or am I thinking of another member? 

The Grumpy Old Farts member group will be ready when you are 

I've only applied for a promotion, will keep hold of the smart card and do as many of the retests as practical, QC-ing our own work and saving the guy with the fastrack waiting for the real tester. Maybe a couple of days testing a month to cover holidays.