Hand Brake on Burstner 748 - What Should I Expect? (1 Viewer)

Mar 12, 2012
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The Burstner is a heavy vehicle and I'm not sure how effective the handbrake should be on such a heavy vehicle. Personally, I don't think it's effective enough.

So, as the title says, how effective should I expect the handbrake to be?

As the 748 is twin rear axle, what wheels does the handbrake operate on? Are there any common issues to look out for?

My 748 is due an MOT late this month and I'd like to prepare it as best I can myself.

Cheers Funsters ::bigsmile:

John
 

Geo

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Jul 29, 2007
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Your hand brake will have to meet the same criteria as your every day car in term of performance specialist MoT equipment is reqd to obtain these figures,

If your parking brake seems poor to you, it probably is
usual reason for poor rear brakes is lack of servicing, many main agent garages do not see brake strip clean and adjust as part of their menu driven services, rather as a seperate job that has to be requested
I suggest removing all 4 rear wheels, clean out dust, check for fluid leaks to rear brake cylinders, re set brake shoes and or pads, self adjusting systems can not be relied upon to correctly adjust pads or shoes, do it "Properly" not by just winding up the slack in the cable (For what its worth, doing that achieves nothing in terms of improving performance)
But it does feel better:Doh:

Geo
 

pappajohn

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i believe the brake must meet at least a 16% efficiency.

that, allegedly, equates to holding on a 1 in 6.25 slope.

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Chris

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May 5, 2010
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The handbrake on my Burstner is nothing special either. Regularly serviced but I don't know if they check these things properly.

On steepish hills I am constantly holding it on the clutch if I have to stop.
 

rainbow chasers

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Oct 30, 2009
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Handbrakes on the tags are known for being bad - the older tag you have, the worse it is! Absolute hell to get an older through an MOT!

Newer ones are better, as the manufacturer made the axles, whereas the earlier ones were indespension units.

There is a 'fix' which involves oversize pistons - but to be honest, the result isn't really that much different! Get new system come MOT time and enjoy them working for a week or so.
You can try a new cable if your lever is coming up particularly high - but try and save part buying until the MOT is due as you may have to do it all again then!

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pappajohn

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RV handbrakes, foot operated and located on the gearbox, are noted for being rubbish.

But mine locked up and lifted the RV out of the brake rollers at last years MOT.

this year i told him, 3 to 4 thousand quid if it rips the back off the gearbox and he wasn't testing it on rollers again, so he asked if it worked....."yes" I replied.

he said "that'll do for me....it's passed." :Eeek::thumb:
 

maz

Jan 26, 2011
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Have now had two tag axle vans - both with rubbish handbrakes as supplied. However, massive improvement after taking them into the local truck garage where the mechanics actually understand what they're doing. Can highly recommend P&W Commercials near High Wycombe 01494 714714. Very reasonable charges too. :thumb:

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dave newell

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Oct 31, 2008
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"On steepish hills I am constantly holding it on the clutch if I have to stop."

That's a recipe for a buggered clutch in short order. Firstly get your parking brake sorted, its not rocket science but as Geo says many garages don't do it as a standard part of service. Second, if your handbrake really won't hold your vehicle on a steep hill then use the footbrake not the clutch and engine.

D.
 

aba

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i find if mine wont hold on a hill i have little chance of getting the traction to set off again :Doh:
 
OP
OP
StitchUp
Mar 12, 2012
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Well, I took my Burstner for its MOT fully expecting it to fail on the hand brake which, in my opinion is dismal! It passed first time :ROFLMAO:

After the MOT I had the garage replace all the brake pads on the 6 wheels, free-off and grease up the linkages where necessary and grease the axles (I've been told it's a good thing to do). The Burstner was delivered back to me yesterday with a cautionary note to bed the brakes in as they're not very effective just now!

4 hours labour @ £40ph including delivery back to my home.

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MikeandCarolyn

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Mar 18, 2008
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Well, I took my Burstner for its MOT fully expecting it to fail on the hand brake which, in my opinion is dismal! It passed first time :ROFLMAO:

After the MOT I had the garage replace all the brake pads on the 6 wheels, free-off and grease up the linkages where necessary and grease the axles (I've been told it's a good thing to do). The Burstner was delivered back to me yesterday with a cautionary note to bed the brakes in as they're not very effective just now!

4 hours labour @ £40ph including delivery back to my home.

Where was that ?::bigsmile: I use Automaster in Brynsadler.
Mike.
 
Last edited:
Nov 6, 2008
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The handbrake on my Burstner is nothing special either. Regularly serviced but I don't know if they check these things properly.

On steepish hills I am constantly holding it on the clutch if I have to stop.

Ouch!!!!!!!!!!! That is one sure way to get rid of your clutch. If you ever had to replace a clutch, you would never 'ride' one again. I do not think people really understand what damage is done holding a vehicle on the clutch.

Craig
 

pappajohn

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to my mind the H/brake test on the MOT is completely out of order.

the hand brakes primary use is as a parking brake, not a stopping brake yet it is tested on moving rollers.

it should be tested on stationary rollers to start then wind up the rollers torque until the wheels start to turn, or its lifted out the rollers, then use that reading as a pass or fail point.

its secondary use is as an emergency stopping brake, but if it will hold at the correct static load it should also slow a vehicle down.
 

aba

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if i remember correctly the rollers show if the handbrake drums are oval as the tester doesn't just rive it on to full.

i feel this is more relevant now as modern handbrakes tend to use separate shoes and drums to the footbrake
 

pappajohn

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if i remember correctly the rollers show if the handbrake drums are oval as the tester doesn't just rive it on to full.

i feel this is more relevant now as modern handbrakes tend to use separate shoes and drums to the footbrake
agreed, but it is still an emergency/parking brake...not a service brake.

whether it is oval or round shouldn't make any difference...its primary role is to stop vehicle moving when stationary

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Last edited:

haganap

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You should be able to do this in ne big burstner now then :thumb:

[ame="http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RzK19ppcB2E"]Skoda Felicia handbrake turn - YouTube[/ame]
 

JockandRita

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I must be the exception to the rule, as I am very happy with my handbrake performance.......as was the last MOT tester. :winky:
He tested the intermediate axle first, and as it was so effective according to the gauge, he didn't bother testing the rear axle. :whatthe:

Annually, my brakes are serviced as Geo describes above, and the axles are greased at the same time too. The MH (on a 99 Ducato) has done 103K (kilometers) and is still on the original front pads and rear shoes. :thumb:

Cheers,

Jock.
 

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