Rattle from Handbrake area.

[GRD]

I couldn't go to the Clackets Run yesterday so lent the car to my son-in-law to take his Dad instead. They had a great day and thanks to Bob Heritage for organising it and the assembled members for making them feel welcome.

The car behaved impeccably all day but about half a mile from home they stopped to top up petrol and when they set off there was a nasty rattle from the hand-brake area.
The noise is consistent with something touching the prop-shaft. I also found that the seat-belt buckles unit is now very loose. It wasn't previously - I got a clear MOT in early June. As it's in the same area I'm guessing the two are linked. Problem is I can't see or feel what's happening under there due to the prop-shaft and exhausts in the way.

Before I spend money with my friendly local garage has anybody had a similar experience or a suggestion of what the cause is?

Any advice gratefully received

Gordon

[KOY 23]

Hi Gordon.

Thought you looked younger and was about to ask your secret.

Your diagnosis sounds spot on, the h/b cable is a bit loose, try driving with it applied 1 click. Cant see a connection with seat belts, just tighten them.

[GDPR]

Hi Gordon

John is spot on - used to suffer the same on mine, pulling the handbrake 1 click stopped it until I got around to adjusting the cable

Shame you missed Brands yesterday - it was a good craic as always, and 29 Stags turned up - a good showing

[Steve JP]

Just in case it's not the handbrake, check the fuel line. I had a similar issue a few years back which turned out to be a broken plastic pipe clip causing the fuel line to droop just enough to be touched by the prop shaft UJ , easily solved with a meaty cable tie. A temporary repair that is still there!

[KOY 23]

Just in case it's not the handbrake, check the fuel line. I had a similar issue a few years back which turned out to be a broken plastic pipe clip causing the fuel line to droop just enough to be touched by the prop shaft UJ , easily solved with a meaty cable tie. A temporary repair that is still there!

You must have a blind MOT tester.

[richardthestag]

why? I have an LPG feed that is secured in places under the rear wheel arch with cable ties and a petrol line that is secured to the chassis rail with cable tie. Been like that for years.

I used cable ties where I could not fit a correct pipe clip and screw through metal to hold it all in place. to my mind a cable tie around the chassis is just as secure

[GRD]

Thanks guys, looks like it probably is the handbrake. just managed to back it out of the garage with H/B fully on and same noise. Will jack her up in a minute and have a look but I think that will be the source of the problem as h/b is not working at all.

My first car was a 100e Ford and the handbrake went on that. Got it through two MOTs with a couple of Jubilee clips holding it in place. Worked OK for the test day and drove it without for the rest of the time. I always parked it in gear and I got to be good at hill starts! Wouldn't be so irresponsible nowadays of course. (Now.... where did I put those jubilee clips...!)

Gordon

[Steve JP]

You must have a blind MOT tester.

It was my local garage/MOT tester that effected the repair for me once I'd had the car transported to him for diagnosis. He showed me the problem on his MOT lift and proceeded with the cable tie fix for a fiver. It's a very meaty cable tie, not your average DIY electrical type.

[KOY 23]

Prior to me fitting new fuel lines, my MOT tester advised that securing fuel lines with cable ties was a failure.

[Richard G]

You must have a blind MOT tester.

My roller blinds were fitted by a blind man!

[DJT]

Prior to me fitting new fuel lines, my MOT tester advised that securing fuel lines with cable ties was a failure.

It won't matter if our authorities get their way as our cars will all be exempt from the MOT.......

[marshman]

You must have a blind MOT tester.

The MoT Testers Manual does not say "How" a fuel line may or may not be secured, it simply states "Check the security of all fuel systemcomponents". Reason for failure .. "A fuel system component insecure".

Many if not all modern cars have plastic/rubber clips and what are effectively cable ties securing fuel lines, coolant hoses etc. somewhere along their run. I know my VW Passat has. Also I know a Peugeot 106/Citroen AX has the fuel filter underneath the car secured with a large factory fitted cable tie as are the fuel lines along the top of the tank and where they run inside the car. They are simple and effective so cannot see that there is a problem.

A bigger problem with fuel lines is the carp rubber hoses that you can get these days that don't last a year before starting to crack.

Roger

[Steve JP]

Iv'e just spoken to my local mechanic/MOT tester who has confirmed the fix he did was within the guidelines of the MOT manual in that the fuel pipe is secured in a safe manner. My car WOULD have failed the MOT had he not used the cable tie.

Also thank you Roger for your confirmation of my understanding of the issue concerning the security of fuel lines.