What a MOT failure list

Tomsk

Member
I bought a nice Dolphin grey 1.4 petrol with Bose and working oss off a member who was emigrating. I am very happy with the purchase as I will be keeping this for myself. just thought i'd share a few points on my way and get a few tips.
Well to start these were the disks and drums that were on it.
IMG_2837.JPGIMG_2838.JPGIMG_2839.JPG
So replaced with new shiny ones
IMG_2840.JPGIMG_2841.JPG

So took it for an Mot today and here is the result :(
IMG_2836.JPG
Anyway I have ordered new struts and springs with top mounts as well as new drop links, but I have a question about the ball joint, the car has solid wishbones so a replacement is necessary as cannot split the joint. Do i need to order both sides is it essential or just do the one side ??.
I have read a few posts about replacement and doesn't seem nice job. so any new tips would be really appreciated.
 
Yes solid arm means you need a new arm as they are not splittable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
If it’s just the one control arm with the ball joint failure it depends on your budget. But I don’t think you will have any issues just replacing the one. But for peace of mind and to avoid having to do the same on the other side in the not so distance future it maybe worth doing both.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Believe you should do both sides; and make a wheel-alignment afterwards.

Just did this with my Touran; and what a nightmare. The bolts holding the wishbone to the subframe/traverse break/shear off, and was required to replace that part of the subframe (stretchbolts in a subframe of aluminium is a very bad combination) You can also experience that the tip of the bolt is so corroded that it destroys the threads on its way out.

Be aware (I will never replace wishbones again)
 
Last edited:
the discs & drums on my 52-reg 1.4i were much worse than above with a full MOT valid for another 6 months at the time of purchase - shagged pads and chunks of rust on the disk back sides the size and thickness of 50p pieces missing and making it vibrate horribly at 30mph, vague brakes, wobbly suspension, no discernable handbrake effect. New brakes, top strut bearings, springs, shocks, drop links, ARB bushes and bolts all round was the minimum needed, but once that was done, the basic quality of the rest of the car was obvious. With new maintenance parts they are some of the best wee cars that you can buy - and at £346 paid (there were £4 in change under the seats!) it was a cracking starting point. Hope yours turns out just as good as mine has!
 
Yes the brakes are much better now and the handbrake isn't vertical anymore :).
Don't mind as once suspension done I will have the Mot so have a year to correct the rest plus what else i find.
 
Believe you should do both sides; and make a wheel-alignment afterwards.

Just did this with my Touran; and what a nightmare. The bolts holding the wishbone to the subframe/traverse break/shear off, and was required to replace that part of the subframe (stretchbolts in a subframe of aluminium is a very bad combination) You can also experience that the tip of the bolt is so corroded that it destroys the threads on its way out.

Be aware (I will never replace wishbones again)

Some good accurate advice and warnings here.

Budget for having to replace or helicoil the consoles. I think some members have done this job with the consoles in place on the car? If you do the job the way I did it and remove the subframe remember to peg the console position.
If your budget only covers one side that will not be a problem for the MOT. However doing both will save you doing the job again in a couple of years.
It is important to adjust the tracking but put a few miles on first. My suspension setlled in and had to be adjusted twice. National Tyre are doing wheel alignment at 50% off until the end of this year. You need a coupon from their website.
 
Last edited:
Thanks,
Going to try and take it out on car first :eek:. Will start later then gives me a few days to correct the mess I make :).. will have to use mrs car for work mon,tue. Fingers crossed all will be well.
 
Had Grand daughter today so gearing up for the morning:). going to try get wishbone off on car first if easy will order for both sides if a b****r will only get one. going to strip it ready, take all struts, springs and drop links off.
 
Well took the struts springs and drop links off today, all a pain in the neck as all the bolts and nuts needed dremeling off. but that is done now should be easy to put fresh back on, but did fall at the wishbone, it is mostly off just got to get a puller from work tomorrow.
IMG_2851.JPG
I cut the end off so as to keep it straight.
The good news is the other side has already been done:).
I did'nt want to remove consoles as going by the way the nuts were corroded on everything else, was bound to snap some and then need to find consoles.
All parts should be here on Wednesday so will hopefully have good news.
 
Back
Top