NCT Manual. - National Car Testing Service

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NATIONAL CAR TEST (NCT) MANUAL 2012
MECHANICAL BRAKE HAND LEVER
(where fitted)
Method of Testing
SEE NOTES BELOW
1. Examine the condition of the brake lever and its position.
2. With the brake lever in the “off” position:
(a) note the amount of side play in the lever pivot by moving the lever from side to side.
(b) check the condition of the ratchet and pawl mechanism pivots.
(c) check the safety guard.
3. Apply the brake lever slowly and check the effective operation of the pawl mechanism by listening for definite and regular
clicks as the pawl moves over the ratchet teeth.
4. When the brake is fully applied:
(a) knock the top and each side of the lever by hand and check that the lever is held in the ‘on’ position.
(b) check that the lever is not at the end of its permitted travel and that there is no fouling of adjacent parts.
NOTES
1. Before carrying out this inspection, chock the road wheels.
2. In some cases it is not possible to check these items completely from inside the vehicle, but only to
obtain an indication of their condition. If a defect is suspected which cannot be verified from inside the
vehicle the inspection must be continued from a position underneath the vehicle.
ITEM
Lever/Lever Mounting
Ratchet and Pawl Mechanism
(where fitted)
REASONS FOR FAILURE
1 Missing, fractured, badly worn or corroded,
insecure or mounting unsatisfactory.
2 Travel is excessive or movement is obstructed.
3 Missing, insecure, damaged or sticking.
4 Definite and regular clicks are not heard, indicating worn mechanism.
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