What Have You Done to Your Cougar Today?

Thats a shame but not to bad. I dont expect to go in and not get a handbrake fail now, just adjust them at the calipers so you have to hammer the caliper on before you go and you should be good ;)

I wouldnt worry too much about the rust advisory, if it hasnt failed on it then its probally still at the stage where some kurust and paint will see it right
 
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))


One of the many things that the Cougar has in common with her Rover Tomcat/Tracer/GTi distant cousins, is poor performance of the handbrake. Even with brand-new pads and disks. Both are a poor design, and I say that because it shouldn't be easy to get them wrong.

Aside from ensuring that the cables all move freely, make sure you follow Tony's (Topcat1127's) setup procedure meticulously. I do now, and Tiger has never been a worry in that area since; nor has Jinxy.

TL;DS: Wind the pistons all the way in, then wind them back out as far as you can while still being able to get the pads and calipers back over the disks, (Dan had posted something similar above). This will obviously get harder as a "lip" forms, but you can make your life easier with a grinder if necessary...


Nearside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Welcome to hell. This advisory hasn't been the thing that takes your car off the road, but it's telling you something extremely important - you need to act now and I bet if you get under there with a toffee hammer and an honest whack, you're going to find out that she... needs some honest work.

So, I know you know your cars, so I'll say this for anyone else watching: I didn't take that corrosion seriously enough in time because the warning wasn't strong enough. Your MOT guy doesn't want to take your car away from you, but he's calling out your chassis because if you get T-boned in a decrepit car, you're dead.
 





Welcome to hell. This advisory hasn't been the thing that takes your car off the road, but it's telling you something extremely important - you need to act now and I bet if you get under there with a toffee hammer and an honest whack, you're going to find out that she... needs some honest work.

So, I know you know your cars, so I'll say this for anyone else watching: I didn't take that corrosion seriously enough in time because the warning wasn't strong enough. Your MOT guy doesn't want to take your car away from you, but he's calling out your chassis because if you get T-boned in a decrepit car, you're dead.

Couldn't agree more mate - we've both been there let's face it:LOL:
 
Been in for jobs, refurbed alty, rear pads & discs, brake fluid & coolant change. Next on the list is suspension.
 
Couldn't agree more mate - we've both been there let's face it:LOL:

True, true. Like I said, I imagine that Dabooka knows that this is a warning shot across his bow.

But me? I was too optimistic and a year later I relied on Tony's generosity, (and desire to practice, and maybe his sheer curiosity) to keep Tiger on the road.

Off-topic: Anyone else think it's hilarious that I persist in keeping this scrapper car alive and refusing to let her go?
 
Thats the way I look at it, the depreciation alone on a new car would be more than the running costs of the Cougar

Thing is Dan I'm kind of a hypocrite because the Mondeo isn't paid for, but I don't begrudge it that because I both need and want that kind of vehicle. If things went pear shaped and I had to sell the Cougar I bought it at such a good price that even with what I've spent on it so far I'd still get that back, and anyway it might go up in value one day:LOL:

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Off-topic: Anyone else think it's hilarious that I persist in keeping this scrapper car alive and refusing to let her go?

It's not down to you at all, Tiger decides what happens:LOL:

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Been in for jobs, refurbed alty, rear pads & discs, brake fluid & coolant change. Next on the list is suspension.

Nice one mate. A birthday present to yourself?(y)
 
Finished off cutting and drilling out the bolts from the drivers seat so I can remove it and fit the better condition one in. Had a look under the seat and the loom in the car has a grey 4 pin connector, new seat has a 6 pin connector. Spent a while trawling through through all the previous posts regarding this issue now totally confused, time for a beer. :beer: