iainfm

Hi, Thanks for all the replies and tips. I had another look at the brakes again today. After bleeding the rear slaves, and with the help of the Mrs, I was able to wiggle the wedges down a bit further than the spring alone would manage. It's still not brilliant, but at least there's some spare adjustment in it now. Cheers, Iain

Hi, I'm at my wit's end with the handbrake on the Mrs' 2001 estate. I've changed almost everything, and it's still rubbish! I changed the cables and shoes today. The old cables were ok-ish, but the handbrake lever was pretty seized on one of the old shoes. After refitting, I've had to wind the adjuster all the way in at the handbrake end, and the performance is still ropey. So far, I've changed: Drums ~ 2 years ago, but still good Shoes and cables today Slave cylinders about a month ago The springs and keepers at the same time as the drums The self-adjuster wedges are dropping when the brake pedal is pressed, but the handbrake is really long, and doesn't feel like it's doing an awful lot. It will hold the car, but only at full adjustment, and about 3/4 of its travel. The only thing I can think of is there's wear on the solid bar at the top of the shoe set, but I'm clutching at straws. Any suggestions, please? Cheers, Iain

Thanks for the replies. I'll have a look round and see where I can get it done :) Cheers, Iain

Hi, The Mrs' 2001 (Y) Fabia Comfort has (or had) two keys - one with a little flashlight built in, and one without. No remote unlocking etc. The one with the light has gone missing, and I'd like to get the spare copied in case it never turns up. Does anyone know if this can be done at a key place (eg Timpsons), or is it likely to have an immobiliser chip in it? Cheers, Iain

Cool, thanks!

Hi, Got a split n/s outer driveshaft boot. Can they be changed in situ, ie by separating the driveshaft from the CV joint? The Haynes says to remove the driveshaft completely, but I'd rather not. Alternative is to get a new nut and fit the new boot over the CV joint - the one I've got is the stretchy type. Cheers, Iain

Hi, No, not had chance since - combination of other things getting in the way! I'd be interested to see your pressure readings though. I could compare and contrast I have noticed the front disks are getting a bit corroded though, so suspect the calipers aren't what they used to be. No ABS on this one. Cheers, Iain

Had a look at the car last night. It's taken a fairly hard whack to the rear, but held up admirably. The rear slam panel had been pushed forwards a bit, as well as the wheel well floor, which was causing the tailgate to fail to latch. I managed to knock that back with special tool number 1. Turns out boyo is a mechanic, so he's offered to look at the car, repair it (he's already ordered a crash bar for it), and put it into his body shop to get the dent sorted. So, if he's good to his word, that's a decent result for all I think. Some pics below. Full size originals here. Cheers, Iain

Thanks for the part number, and the offer of one I'll check it out and let you know. I need to take it for an estimate first anyway, for insurance purposes. Re the injury - I've said to get it looked at just on the off-chance that it gets worse. If nothing else to put it on (medical) record that an ailment was registered today. Not expecting to claim for it, but if the worst happens there will be evidence that it started today. Totally agree with the dishonesty of false claims.

Hi, thanks for the replies. Will know more later, but I don't think the rear quarter panels are kinked. Happy to use the big hammer / second hand parts approach (have done so before). Is the crash bar common with the hatchback and/or any VW/Seat cars (for hunting scrapyard purposes)? Is it part number 6Q0813146 in the parts catalogue? I've notified the insurance company. As it happens, the perp is also with them. They're saying this makes it a lot simpler, but I have a feeling it will make them disinclined to get us the best possible deal, particularly if it comes to injury claims (sore head and neck; probably not worth claiming for anyway). Cheers, Iain

Hi, The mrs got rear-ended this morning in her 2001 estate. Fairly low speed, but enough to bend the bonnet of the offending vehicle. I've not seen it yet, so this is all second hand info, but she's reporting that there's a dent in the tailgate, and the bumper isn't sitting right at the sides. Also the boot isn't closing like it should and sometimes won't open. Given the age and value of the car, insurance would write it off. Does anyone have any experience of the kind of damage a collision like this would cause, and whether it's repairable? eg Is there a rear cross-member that bolts on (or similar)? I'll have a look tonight, get it inspected properly, and have a chat with the yoot about how he wants to proceed. Might leave the lecture about stopping distances for another day. :( Cheers, Iain

Thanks, will check next opportunity

Hi, Checked the vacuum pump this morning, and it seems to be find. It's creating enough of a vacuum to stick my finger to it quite hard. Replaced clip-on clip with a jubilee. Brake fluid ok, and rears are adjusted. Is it safe to disconnect the vacuum pipe at the servo, in case it's a blocked pipe or the non-return valve is faulty? Other than that, it's either the servo (which looks fiddly to get out) or it's just normal for a car of that era. Cheers, Iain

PPS I forgot the important bit - it's a 1.9 SDI, hence the vacuum pump.

Ok, so from the vacuum pump there's one pipe that goes around the back of the engine into the servo. There's a 90deg rubber bend that's clipped to the vacuum pump, which is a bit loose. I'll find/get a jubilee clip to replace it with tomorrow. The rubber part of the pipe is a bit perished, but I don't think it's split/leaking. While the pipe's off I'll try testing the vacuum. There's a bit of engine oil showing at the vacuum pump. Could that be an indication the pump itself is past it? The pipe into the servo is a bit wiggly too, but again there doesn't seem to be a leak. Thanks, Iain PS I tried starting the engine with the brake held down, and it didn't drop at all, so something's wrong somewhere.

Thanks guys, I'll check these things out.

Possibly a bit of crud between the disc and hub, but suspect they've not fitted the bearing correctly. As above, the correct tool is required.

Thanks, I'll test that next chance I get

Hi, The brakes on our 2001 Fabia have always been a bit rubbish (well, in the 18 months we've had it). I was going to put new front discs and pads on the other day, but they're really in quite good nick. The calipers look ok too, and I recently changed the rears (drums, shoes, springs and cylinders). The car stops ok, and passed its MOT recently, but the pedal seems to take a lot of effort to press, as if not all vacuum assistance is there. Is there any way or thing I could check? I've not tried holding the pedal down while starting the car (yet). Should it drop slightly when the engine starts if the vacuum is good? Cheers, Iain

Great, as I thought! Discs are in good condition, and it flew through its MOT a few weeks ago, bar a broken road spring. Not at all bad for a 15-year old car which hasn't had the easiest of lives! : Thanks, Iain

Hi, The front disc guard didn't survive removal when I did the wheel bearing the other day (there wasn't much left of it to save anyway). Not having a spare to hand, I just re-assembled without it. Is there any pressing need to replace it? I can't really think what purpose they serve. They might prevent a bit of spray or dirt getting onto the disc, but it is a major problem? Cheers, Iain

Fair enough

Got this done today. Not too bad a job, really, once all the right tools had arrived. I know bearings are prone to going, but I'm a bit suspicious that this one went so soon after having the spring on the same corner replaced. Could anything the garage did have affected it? The car's done nearly 100,000 miles, and it was the old-type nut that was on it (not replaced during said spring change, tut tut), so if it's the original one it's done pretty well!

Yeah, I was thinking that. I've only used them for a spring, which they seem to have done ok. Nothing like doing it yourself, so you know what you've bodged you've done it properly. Puller/fitting kits on ebay for the price of an hour's labour, so swinging back towards doing it myself.

Cool, thanks for that. I'm in Dumbarton, but if I can't borrow/hire one I'll probably get my local place to do it. Cheers, Iain