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Berlingo van rear brake compensator adjustment?

Hi all,

Daughters, ex's 98 Berlingo has just failed the MOT because of 'poor rear brake efficiency'.

We had previously replaced the rear brake shoes, cylinders and flexi hoses and the handbrake works well so I'm thinking it's the rear load sensor compensator thingy?

So, we can see how you might adjust it but don't know how you would

*calibrate* it (and he's not got the HBOL with him).

It is a matter of ensuring the arm is aligned with something or should he put a bag of cement in the back? ;-)

We have read of weak compensator springs on other makes / models so I'm guessing it could be that?

Cheers, T i m

Reply to
T i m
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If this doesn't help, someone there will know:

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Chris

Reply to
Chris Whelan

I think this might answer my question Chris (a link from your link):

"All that's required is for both rear wheels to be grounded and no extra load in vehicle. Make sure the load sensor 'arm' moves freely back and forth, use wd40 for lubricant. I then just fitted spring and threaded nut about halfway down rod, then put wheel back on and lowered van and removed jack. Crawl under rear of van and continue threading the nut until up against sensor 'arm'. The final position for the arm is to be just touching the sensor unit with no play back or forth. Job done."

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(Post #16) And it might also offer an alternative source (and possibly quicker) for the spring if it's beyond use.

Thanks again.

Cheers, T i m

Reply to
T i m

By the way of a follow up ... my mate in the garage did all the things that also (knowingly) needed doing (track rod end / anti-roll bar ball joint) for the MOT and removed the rear drums and indeed found them still good, free and dry from when we replaced them a while back. Further investigation of the brake compensator found the arm locked up, that when freed and lubed, returned the rear brakes to functional. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

Reply to
T i m

On vehicles with compensator arms, it is one of the things that should get a squirt of grease at least once a year.

Reply to
MrCheerful

Noted.

Cheers, T i m

Reply to
T i m

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