Isuzu Trooper Owners Club UK™

Rhanagar · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 11:41 Post subject: Big day tomorrow ...

... will the Mk.1 handbrake pass its MOT. Going out in a while to do the pre-MOT adjustment, and double check what I know just in case I spot anything. First time its been in for an MOT since I got her and have patched up a few bits and pieces in preparation. Never had a car that has passed first time. Always something its failed on.
_________________
1990 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.I 2.8TD Manual Lotus Edition
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto Lotus Edition

Deceased
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto LS

Google · Sponsor

Rhanagar · Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 10:29 Post subject:

Well she is in ... just waiting for the results!
_________________
1990 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.I 2.8TD Manual Lotus Edition
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto Lotus Edition

Deceased
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto LS

The Laird · Guest

I don't mind MoTs. If they find something I missed that's OK.
Provided they are not failing it for the work or something silly, like headlamp aim low.
The place my wife goes to will replace a bulb and only charge for the cost of the bulb, then pass it.
Where I took the Trooper, they told me that they are suposed to hold it at maximum rpm untill the emissions
stabilise to take a reading! "But we don't rev them like that"! Very Happy

Rhanagar · Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 11:41 Post subject:

Apparently they are still "working" on it ... makes me think it fell apart as they drove it into the bay Very Happy

Headlamp aim seems to be a big fail point on a lot of cars these days. I had it on my old Cavalier two tests in a row by the same guys. They even asked me who did it the last time and looked embarrased when I said it was them. The other nervous point I have is that its a new MOT station to me as my usuual place was fully booked.

I was quite thorough when checking it and think I found everything. Not much to go wrong and my rust diviner (read hammer) found nothing, went through old advisories and did everything on there apart from an elusive coolant leak which I cannot find anywhere, and a mysterious patch of rust on the body that was noteworthy but missing.
_________________
1990 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.I 2.8TD Manual Lotus Edition
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto Lotus Edition

Deceased
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto LS

ubs69 · Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 12:06 Post subject:

bet your coolant leak is thermostat gasket, mine had disappearing coolant with no visible trace. Reasealed the thermostat job done

Rhanagar · Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 15:45 Post subject:

Well it was a fail Sad

001 Rear (both) Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement
002 Rear (both) Brake disk(s) excessively pitted
003 Parking brake lever has no reserve travel

Advisories:

001 Steering system has a slight free play detected at steering wheel

Funnily enough the brake efficiency of the handbrake was very good apparently. He wasn't too bothered about item 3 but put it on there as there were other problems that could be related. I took it on the chin as the disks need changing due to the pitting and no way would I let it pass (thought it was borderline anyway) but I did ask about the free movement bit. He basically said that the wheels were binding, which they could be, but it was difficult to tell as she does have an LSD which of course will mean that when you manually turn the wheel it will spin everything up to the gearbox. Anyways new disks ordered ( £32.99 inclusive from http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/ ) and an afternoon will be spent pulling everything apart and cleaning. He was quite impressed with her overall and flew through the emissions test (screw you EGR valves and your un-necessary installation. You can sit there in the garage and stay redundant)

As for the coolant leak it could be anything, but he didn't find it, and the advisory of the slight rear body corrosion on the last MOT seems to have disappeared as well. I couldn't find it either.

Could of been better ... could of been a lot worse.
_________________
1990 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.I 2.8TD Manual Lotus Edition
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto Lotus Edition

Deceased
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto LS

badendesigns · Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 16:45 Post subject:

All in all I would say that's pretty good. Cheap to sort out and only an afternoons work.

Well done you!!!!! thumbleft

_________________
99/00 Frontera B 3.2 V6

79 XS1100

82 XS1100 midnight

87 454 LTD

Lovin it!!!!!

Wear sunscreen

LTM 000103

Rhanagar · Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 17:46 Post subject:

As said ... it could of been a lot lot worse. Will start the stripdown tomorrow ready for the parts to arrive. Might as well start early and take my time. Will make sure its a proper job then.
_________________
1990 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.I 2.8TD Manual Lotus Edition
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto Lotus Edition

Deceased
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto LS

The Laird · Guest

Item 3 is the cable adjustment. Mine goes out every 2 months! Confused

Malcolm · Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 5:09 Post subject:

Just on the advisory, (slight free play) a lot of MOT testing stations nowadays are unfamiliar with the old type of steering box sytem (most cars have racks) which has inherent free play built into it as part of its design. On the bright side if it is exesive they are adjustable. Laughing

_________________
Never let a meal go by----Empty sacks dont stand up!!!

Philp · Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 9:54 Post subject:

Yep, mine has had it the last three tests and its not exessive for a steering box system. Its just mot testers being used to rack and pinion steering.
_________________
Phil

96 or is it a 98 Isuzu Bighorn Lotus

Rhanagar · Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 11:49 Post subject:

To be honest I am not at all concerned about the steering. My Frontera (same system) was exactly the same and even the tester said that it was minimal but put it on to be safe. Going out in a bit to start the caliper strip down. Might as well do a proper job and get them immaculate. He told me that there were no leaks and such like. I just think the sliders need cleaning and copper slippng to be honest then adjusting so the handbrake does its thing for the next few days.
_________________
1990 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.I 2.8TD Manual Lotus Edition
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto Lotus Edition

Deceased
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto LS

Philp · Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 17:14 Post subject:

Seriously, don't use copper grease on the sliders, I have always used it in the past and the brakes always end up getting stiff as its not a great lubricant, great at stopping stuff seizing but it was never intended to be used as a lube plus it can swell rubber parts. This time I got some proper silicon brake grease and the difference is night and day, you only need a tiny amount too.
_________________
Phil

96 or is it a 98 Isuzu Bighorn Lotus

Rhanagar · Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 17:30 Post subject:

To be honest I have never had an issue with copperslip, and have loads in the garage. It should do after a good clean-up. However will keep an eye on it and if it does prove an issue will take your advice and invest in some silicone stuff as you say.
_________________
1990 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.I 2.8TD Manual Lotus Edition
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto Lotus Edition

Deceased
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto LS

Rhanagar · Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 14:45 Post subject:

Of course the entire thing could be possibly down to the calipers siezed themselves and not working at all. I guess about 0.5mm movement in them max. Wonder how the thing actually had any braking force what-so-ever. Turning a simple job of replacing the disks into a nightmare.
_________________
1990 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.I 2.8TD Manual Lotus Edition
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto Lotus Edition

Deceased
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto LS