V8 Vantage Brakes binding?

[jagjoe]

Took the car for its MOT today and it failed due to the rear brakes binding, apparently. It has been stood for a while and moving off it graunched and squealed quite a bit. Ran it about for 10 miles or so and everything seemed fine. After failing its MOT i removed the offside rear wheel and with the handbrake released and in neutral the wheel was was indeed tight to turn. Removed the rear brake pads and still tight. Removed the handbrake caliper (1 pin was too tight to remove) and the wheel is still tight! Too tight to turn by hand, without the wheel on. Is this due to the diff/ transaxle friction or do I have a hub problem? I have not touched the near side yet. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

[Manx V8V]

You will get drag from the differential.

Easier said than done but try it with both rear wheels off the ground if you can.

[jagjoe]

I will try getting both wheels off the ground tomorrow. Many thanks.

[jagjoe]

Both wheels have been off the ground , pads out and still a bit stiff to turn. Feels like the transmission being turned over has been mistaken for the brakes binding. I am bringing it to Bridgemill motors next week for them to look at and a service plus MOT.

[Manx V8V]

Yes sounds like it needs further investigation.

[john ryan]

Two points. 1. It will be difficult to turn one wheel because of the lsd. 2. Your mot man needs to know it has an lsd if he is testing the rear brakes individually.

[8Tech]

john ryan said:

Two points. 1. It will be difficult to turn one wheel because of the lsd. 2. Your mot man needs to know it has an lsd if he is testing the rear brakes individually.

+1, very difficult to turn one wheel if the other is held stationary, ie, its still on the floor.

[jagjoe]

I think the MOT tester was a bit confused with the car or wasn't having a good day. Told me initially the lights wouldn't work on one side, asked to see and they all worked although he still put on the fail sheet the near side main beam was out. After explaining the car had been unused for several months he was adamant that the brakes were binding. Local mechanic took the wheels off, pads out and said it was the transmission being turned and not the brakes binding. I called Bridgemill motors and have booked a service, brakes check and MOT. With work commitments I am hardly using the car so may have to sell it. I have no garage space and I seem to spend hours cleaning it and minutes driving it unfortunately. It is a shame as I have wanted an Aston since getting the Corgi DB5 in the sixties through to seeing the V8 'Oscar India' at the motor show, maybe I will keep it a bit longer!

[Calinours]

What came of this in the end?