Were my rear brakes replaced last year?
Were my rear brakes replaced last year?
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Discussion

canam-phil

Original Poster:

497 posts

279 months

Wednesday 8th April 2009
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On a 2000 Ford Focus. I had the handbrake adjusted by a reputable(?) establishment who found other work required. Work was done and new rear cylinders and linings and brakes bled were itemised on the invoice.

Less than 3000 miles later the car fails MOT for rear brakes poor performance.

Instead of having the garage who did the MOT do the job, I had a go myself having done the same type of work many times before - I thought I would save some money and do it myself.

So, took apart and became suspicious that the brakes had not been touched 12 months ago as evidenced by..

1 brake linings quite thin. Brake lining wear on rear is generally very light as all mileage was motorway (steady 50 mph stuff as it was being run by a student on limited funds!)
2 no signs that the lining retainer springs etc had been removed for years.
3 bolts holding cylinders in place are very rusty
4 brake bleed nipples corroded and definitely not 12 months old.
5 some numbers on the linings that seem to be maufacture date of 2002

I have taken photos and reassembled and wonder who I could go to for a definitive report before approaching the garage with the evidence and report.

Any ideas?

beatthedealer

2 posts

199 months

Monday 4th May 2009
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Hiya mate,
Your local trading standards authority would be more than happy to help you out, providing you have some invoices for the work which they claim to have done. If you had the work done less than 6 months ago, it is up to the garage to prove they did do it.Not for you to prove they didn't. Everyone knows rear shoes on a focus will last at least a couple of years.

beatthedealer

2 posts

199 months

Monday 4th May 2009
quotequote all
Hiya mate,
Your local trading standards authority would be more than happy to help you out, providing you have some invoices for the work which they claim to have done. If you had the work done less than 6 months ago, it is up to the garage to prove they did do it.Not for you to prove they didn't. Everyone knows rear shoes on a focus will last at least a couple of years.

fatjon

2,298 posts

233 months

Thursday 7th May 2009
quotequote all
After 12 months an 3000 miles the shoes should be pretty much like new and the cylinders and bleed nipples should also be in pretty much perfect condition. It seems you have been had and it's not uncommon. Don't take it, call trading standards, next time it could be someone on a slab after a major accident and you can prevent it.