Golf failed it's MOT on the compensator being seized along with a few other small things which I've fixed. I took the spring off and the compensator appears to move totally freely. So it's definitely not "seized". Firstly I'm wondering if it's just not adjusted correctly. The car is lowered on coilovers but not particularly low. It's roughly the same height as your average rear on lowerings springs. But also I'm wondering how freely it should move? It takes no effort to move it. Should it default to a specific position when there's no pressure applied to it? Really appreciate some help on this I only have a few more days until the retest. Thanks
So it sounds like if it's not seized and moves freely it shouldn't have been failed. I spoke to the tester straight after the MOT and he said it failed because it was seized. Maybe just mistaken? He was an older guy so can't imagine he's never worked on one of these
there are internal springs behind the lever, so it should spring fully open (closed) if you manually push the lever all the way. If the lever arm is just flopping about the springs have failed/rusted away and your valve is probably shot too. to adjust it the factory way you need a set of pressure gauges hooked inline with the rear brakes. I set it so the slack is just taken out of the spring on level ground, does the job.
Yes it's just flopping about when no tension on it so sounds like it knackered. They let it through the MOT but I guess it needs to be replaced for the brakes to be safe.
you might get away with just doing the springs if you can find some that fit, pop the boot off and you can see em. make sure the valve itself moves mfree at least though. I thought about it but just binned it and bought a new aluminium one instead, was doign all the rest of the brakes anyway so not like it saved me any effort bleeding it or whatever
Resurrecting this rather than a new one as my valve seems to be acting the same as the OPs - with the car on the ground if I push the lever up it moves but doesn't "return" to anything. Basically wherever I leave the lever, it stays there. Assume this means it's fooked? Ta
yep, it should spring back by itself if you push it. the little return springs can rot away under the rubber boot, possibly replaceable but depends on the condition of the unit whether its worth it
Thought as much, thanks. Just ordered one as probably not worth the hassle of poking about inside my one, it looks like it's been on there a good few years
Good call. I extensively dismantled and tried to rebuild/repair one of these and it turned out to be impossible.
Compensator valve came today. Am I right in saying you bleed the brakes with it like this - cable tied up meaning the valve is fully open? Thanks
My axle is off for an overhaul. I noticed there is an adjustment that can be made here within yellow circle that would make spring tighter or looser. If the car is lowered like mine has been, then I guess the compensator needs set up like Rubjonnys guage suggestion, I will just do what he says "I set it so the slack is just taken out of the spring on level ground, does the job."
I've not looked at mine yet but plan to set it up as per RJ suggestion. I assume that circled nut is loosened and slid to tighten or loosen the spring?
yeah unless you have/can be arsed with plumbing in pressure gauges inline with the rear brakes just take the slack out. you can dial in a little more rear braking if you like
