Rough bearing - how to define?

That sounds like the vibration should be quite definite then. Is hand rotation of the wheel sufficient?

 

The manual instructs "listen for any sound....."

Had a closer look this morning and I can't see anything wrong with the bearing.



I've ordered a bearing but fitting it is a fair amount of work, and might hit other snags with dismantling of course. Don't want to have to if it isn't necessary.

They also gave an advisory of slight play on the balljoint. I can't detect any play at all when rocking the wheel on the ground, dead straight ahead. I know balljoint play can be hard to spot sometimes, but I think they're having me on with this as well. It's a bolted balljoint so I could take it off for a definite answer. I've a new one on order anyway so I'll wait till that comes.

Will take a look at the rear brakes later today.

If you have trust issues with the garage that you used to test your car then that is a shame, I would advise you to get a second opinion from a different vehicle testing station before commencing any work yourself.
all of the issues that you have mentioned should not be attempted to be rectified without some level of expertise and the right equipment to do the job as you may find yourself in a worse situation and going around in circles to get a desired result.
regards HT

The testing station is one I've used in the past without issues. I'm a reasonably experienced mechanic and do most of my own maintenance. I'm capable of doing all the work required, but it does amount to quite a lot, and I don't think it's all necessary. I get the impression they thought I would give them the job and decided to 'upsell' it with a few extra items just for good measure. There are reports online of this organisation having done this in the past (no names no pack drill...)

I've had a closer look at the brake issue and there is an imbalance, it's easily detectable by hand turning of the tyre with a weight on the brake pedal.  Since there is nothing detectable wrong at the weaker wheel (the adjuster is definitely working and the handbrake is powerful) and not much else in the hydraulic circuit (non ABS) I can only assume the problem is with the compensator valve. In fact, both rear brakes seem a bit weaker than I would expect, but one more so than the other.  Wiring the compensator to the full load position doesn't restore brake balance or power either, which tends to make me think the pistons are stuck.
I've decided to bite the bullet and order a valve anyway. Maybe should have done so in the first place. Sometimes being a cheapskate just causes more grief.

So, the tester was right about this item. 

Issue I see with the new system is that once a test has been done there is basically no way you can have an independent opinion. The previous test results are available to the public, let alone to testers. So, a subsequent tester may just decide to cover himself by repeating the previous statements. In the old days you could submit a vehicle without having show a previous certificate if you didn't want to (and were not worried about losing a few days)

When it comes down to it, I can probably save myself some grief by just doing all the demanded work and resubmitting it. It goes against my sense of justice to do that, but for the sake of the time it will take, probably not worth arguing over. (Although, the fact that most people take that approach is how they keep getting away with it.. )

Anyway, thanks for advice.




























































































[/quote]

It's quite possible that there's no real "fault" with the rear brakes, they have just been affected by the recent damp weather that has genuinely caused an issue with there performance.
Vt 17 have changed there name & are now called complaint forms I think.

The DVSA stance on publishing this data seem to be that since it doesn't include any personal name or address, it's OK. However, when you consider that a high proportion of vehicles spend most of their time sitting in front of the owner's house, that would seem to be a false argument. My understanding of the DPA and upcoming GDPR (Or UK equivalent) is that anything which identifies an individual 'by inference' is covered.

Since I don't maintain vehicles commercially I don't mind being called a cowboy, in fact I've got the Stetson to prove it. It could be of greatest concern for a vehicle mechanic whose job or employment prospects could be affected if it was made to seem that he had been driving an unsafe vehicle.

It does, but with some only rotating by hand without letting go, as I was instructed on my refreshers, and others whizzing it round trying to simulate a vehicle travelling at 30mph, you will get vastly different results. That's why I say no helpful definition.

I hate getting involved in internet diagnosis but it's very unlikely to be anything wrong with either the master cylinder or load sensing valve, much more likely to be either sticking shoes/pads wheel cylinder/caliper or even just damp/ wet friction material/s