Brake pipe question

jaynemaria

HI, hope this is the right place to ask this question and if anyone can help.

My cars going in the garage on Friday for its MOT, its a suzuki wagon r+ 2003 and has done 25000 miles. I have just dug out the advisory notes for the last MOT and it says

measurements
Brakes advisory RBT front brake imbalance 12%

Advisory items

Nearside seat belt slightly fluffing
Nearside rear brake pipe slightly corroded
offside rear brake pipe slightly corroded

Front brakes only just met the front brake imbalance requirements, it would appear that the braking system require adjustment or repair.

I am going on the assumtion that although the brakes are fine, it may well fail, the car has done 2100 miles since last MOT, but has anyone any idea of the rough prices these things are, after the MOT last time (long story) I am always worried about being ripped off.

Thanks in advance

skiddlydiddly

The garage will usually make the pipes up themselves.The piping and fittings themselves aren't too expensive its just a bit fiddly to do.I've made them up myself before(using a special tool to get the bends right without kinking and flaring for the fittings) and found it strangely satisfying.
My car failed its last mot on 2 rear corroded pipes and the garage quoted me £45 each to do them.I guess about £5-10 was materials and the rest labour.

steveo3002

all cars can have a slight mis balance 12% isnt awefull

the rust could be the slightest of pits so i wouldnt worry...shouldve greased the pipes to keep them nice

anewman

It isn't unknown for garages to put brake pipes as an advisory one year and not mention them the next. What fails a brake pipe is "excessive corrosion" and what is excessive is down to the opinion of the tester. As mentioned above a little wire brush of the brake pipes followed by a good coating of grease should see them through no issue.

I'd be concerned about the brake imbalance. I had a brake imbalance that was MOT passable and under emergency braking conditions about a week later, it was *NOT* fun and I got it sorted out straight away then (I was intending to sort it anyway but this spurred me on). In my case it was the slider pins had seized on one side leading to the brakes locking on that side. With the low mileage of your car I suspect either this or knackered brake discs to be the cause. If you have alloys you should be able to see the discs behind the wheels, If you can feel a very noticeable ridge on the end (NOT after driving) or there is apparent rust/pitting the discs may need replacing.

All the things you mention aren't the end of the world and won't cost much to sort. Worst case scenario 3 new brake pipes, new brake discs and slider pins relubed - under £300 I'd hope.

mikey72

£100 for the brake pipes, £50 to £100 for the imbalance.
I had an advisory for brake pipes, probably 8 months later one burst, so if you're keeping it it's worth doing,
I cured an imbalance by a new set of pads, and cleaning the dirt out of the front calipers.

Paul_the_Painter

Previous owner of my car was advised of brake balance issue. She didn't use the car regularly, but had purchased a new set of calipers for the next MoT.

I just drove the car for a fortnight - ahem - enthusiastically. A week before MoT ran out, no comment on brake balance at all at MoT time.

A good clean (with brake cleaner) can also work wonders

cyclonebri1

If the corrosion comes off with a light rub with emery, it's not a serious issue. I find waxoyl ideal to spray back over.

housesitter

Scrub with a wire brush then paint with high zinc content paint and then final coat of paint when dry.
Cover surrounding area to protect against over spray.
If you are unsure then suggest you get help (not from the MOT guy) to judge how bad they are.

cyclonebri1

housesitter wrote: »

Scrub with a wire brush then paint with high zinc content paint and then final coat of paint when dry.
Cover surrounding area to protect against over spray.
If you are unsure then suggest you get help (not from the MOT guy) to judge how bad they are.

Several folks have said wire brush, it's not the best and can damage other underbody protection. Abrasive cloth every time.
Why would you be worried about over spray under the bottom of a car, the more coats the merrier?, no?

Strider590

housesitter wrote: »

Scrub with a wire brush then paint with high zinc content paint and then final coat of paint when dry.
Cover surrounding area to protect against over spray.
If you are unsure then suggest you get help (not from the MOT guy) to judge how bad they are.

Ugh, just get a paint brush and whack a load of black hammerite everywhere. Once that stuffs on, it'll never rust again.

cyclonebri1

Strider590 wrote: »

Ugh, just get a paint brush and whack a load of black hammerite everywhere. Once that stuffs on, it'll never rust again.

If you believe that I give up :rotfl:as in :wall::wall::wall:

Look, wire brush in situ and you get possibly a shiny (underside) to the pipe. Pull it from it's clip and wrap around it with emery and you get a good pipe:T, or if it's knackerd a leak, go figure, it's quite easy.