Binding brake - MOT fail?

[ccr32]

Afternoon all.

I know that a binding brake will fail a bike MOT test, though was wondering how bad it has to be?

My front brakes have started dragging a bit, more than what I would consider to be normal (a bit of noise from the pads 'zinging' against the discs when you spin the wheel) to the point where the wheel stops relatively quickly when spun. It doesn't require any significant force to turn the wheel though, so doesn't affect normal operation.

Would this fail the MOT?

I have tried cleaning up the calipers/pistons in situ, though it's still not great and a caliper strip-down will be required to get any better results, though was hoping to dodge having to do this before the bike needs to be tested.

Thanks.

[ccr32]

Purity14 said:

Does it have floating discs? Have you cleaned/freed up the bobbins? - it might be sitting wonky.

Err, I think it does... but I don't think this is the sole cause - taking the calipers off last night, they were gripping the disc a bit (but not tightly).

Good point though about the bobbins - I'll get some brake cleaner in and around them too.

[ccr32]

moanthebairns said:

don't they need to spin the wheel to check the bearing, if a binding brake stops them being allowed to do this isn't it a fail.

I have no idea, though that makes sense - as I say, you could spin the wheel at the moment, but it will stop pretty quickly. The rear however (for instance) will keep spinning a while longer with the same amount of force applied...

[ccr32]

I will get barely one full rotation when spinning the wheel, if that... so there's my answer I guess.

Have ordered a seal kit now anyway so will pull them off, take them apart, clean up and re-bleed. Will pay some attention to the bobbins on the discs too at the same time - may as well do a proper job!

Thanks for the help all.