MOT Fail List

[highlandmist]

Just had the Defender down to the MOT test centre and there's a few things that need to be addressed.

1. Remove, check bulb etc.

2 Surely there's an adjustment screw or two ?

3,4,5. Now this is where it gets interesting for me as it's an area I haven't done anything to apart from replace the power steering pump.

Is this just a case of replacing the ball joints, not too sure about this.

6+7 Order this bulkhead outrigger and get my new mate Charlie ( he of spring seat fame ) to weld it all up nice.

8 New bush ? Are they standard size for all shocks? New shocks ? If so will do both sides.

Any helpful comments much appreciated. The tester says its in good nick for a 1993 and that I'm obviously a Land Rover enthusiast. Got a head cold right now but that brightened me up a bit.

[Mean Green]

1. Yes

2. Yes - if you look straight on at the headlight you will see 2 screws. one at the top and one at the side, best thing to do is park on a flat surface about 10ft from a wall and put lights on, the beam should be roughly level from both lights so you can adjust the offside to bring it into line.

3/4/5. Really depends on how bad the play is (Does the MOT tester really know Land Rovers?- I had all sorts of problems with a tester who insisted on my changing all sorts of steering parts, he eventually accepted that the play was built in from new and it was just a "Land Rover thing") - you say you have changed the steering box, how long ago? As for TRE's I change them almost every year for MOT.

6+7 - Cant really tell without pics - does it really need new outriggers or would a patch be enough?

8 - Change the shocks and yes do both sides - probably worth doing fronts too, they are not that expensive.

[highlandmist]

I would say the outrigger definitely needs replacing. I see there's a drop arm ball joint kit for the PAS drop arm and I'll get new TRE's although there's left hand thread and RHT shown on the paddock lists.

Not sure what LR experience the guy has but I'm quite limited in my neck of the woods and he comes recommended by other drivers of inferior vehicles

Just wondering what other areas I could replace to limit the play.

[steve200TDi]

The track rod ends are both right and left handed and so the best way is to remove the track rods to see what you need. It either going to be 2 rights and 1 left or visa versa but I can never remember! Also before doing that measure the length of the drag link with the track rods on so you can get it roughly in the right place when you refit with new ones.

You could also look at the two universal joints between the steering box and steering wheel as there could be play there?

Steve

[cackshifter]

if you get a ball joint kit, be careful as there is a lot of rubbish out there; the last one I had was 'OEM' (but supplied by Britpart - yes I know, but they did a much cheaper one, which I think was the 'chocolate' one) and actually fitted properly. Re TREs, these seem quite good, being a) cheap b) greasable, c) known brand http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVER-DEFENDER-TRACK-ROD-END-DRAG-LINK-3-BALL-JOINT-SET-QH-/260887988797?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cbe22ca3d

[Tanuki]

I'd suggest that if you fix [4] and [5] then [3] might also be found to have gone away.

[landroversforever]

2. I thought that adjusting the lights was one of the things they are allowed to change during the test?

[Diablo]

The place I take both our cars adjusts them during the test

[Retroanaconda]

They are allowed to adjust them, but they don't have any obligation to. Depends on the tester and if he knows how/can be arsed.

[CwazyWabbit]

Also depends if the adjuster works, the adjuster on one of mine is on it's last legs but the MOT man managed to get it to work after a bit of fiddling. He's a decent bloke and I imagine many would have just failed it and told me to get a new light.