Well, after visiting my beast at the MOT station I was pleased to find that a bit of welding and a brake compensator is all she needed to pass another ticket.
I was roughly quoted £300 for the part so I legged it to my local Renault dealer who found a new part for £98. Bargain. I've seen a few on 'Flea-bay' but as the parts come from a vehicle like mine over a decade old me thinks- 'no thanks' a new one will do nicely.
I did a bit of research into both the history of my van (I've only owned it for 3 months) to find the vehicle has not had a brake compensator on it for many years and has passed every MOT for years without it.
So I'm asking anyone who knows out there: what great thing does the brake compensator do that the van has happily lived without for years? And what harm is it in not having one?? please....anyone??
The van is run as a domestic vehicle, has never carried much weight or towed anything big, so what does that part mean to my brakes? I'm worried that putting on the new part will mean further problems down the line - I'm thinking more pressure on the servo, brake lines etc.
I've also looked at newer models (2 of my mates have 03 and 05 plate ones) and neither of them have the compensator, I've personally never seen one before and wish to know more about the usefulness of the part.
Thanks all.
I was roughly quoted £300 for the part so I legged it to my local Renault dealer who found a new part for £98. Bargain. I've seen a few on 'Flea-bay' but as the parts come from a vehicle like mine over a decade old me thinks- 'no thanks' a new one will do nicely.
I did a bit of research into both the history of my van (I've only owned it for 3 months) to find the vehicle has not had a brake compensator on it for many years and has passed every MOT for years without it.
So I'm asking anyone who knows out there: what great thing does the brake compensator do that the van has happily lived without for years? And what harm is it in not having one?? please....anyone??
The van is run as a domestic vehicle, has never carried much weight or towed anything big, so what does that part mean to my brakes? I'm worried that putting on the new part will mean further problems down the line - I'm thinking more pressure on the servo, brake lines etc.
I've also looked at newer models (2 of my mates have 03 and 05 plate ones) and neither of them have the compensator, I've personally never seen one before and wish to know more about the usefulness of the part.
Thanks all.