MOT Advisory Help

[Alex Himself]

Hi,

I have just had my car serviced and the mechanic highlighted some areas which may need looking at in the near future and some may pop up on the MOT, which is due in 4 months.

• N/S/F & O/S/F lower swivels very worn.
• Front lower arm bushes worn.

I am not sure what 'swivels' are but i'm guessing the above 2 items would be rectified if I had the front wishbones replaced and drop links whilst i'm at it. I have noticed that sometime my steering feels light and i'm guessing again, that this could be the wishbone bushes or swivels. Also, is anti roll bar another name for the drop links?

• Rear brake back plates in very poor condition.

Are these essential and an MOT fail if there are in 'very poor condition'? I can't find any tutorials on replacing these.

If you could help with any of this it would be much appreciated.

Regards

[micheal balbrig]

All items should be rectified to keep your car in a safe condition
The swivels are probably the ball joints and they can pop out if badly worn !!
Anti roll bar is different to drop links
If the rear brake back plate carries the brake cylinder it should also be replaced
All essential for safety,as mechanic highlighted

[Rob69]

Hi
all front end needs rectifying pre mot, rear backplates likely as well, looks like your mechanic does a decent service!

[Doctle Odd]

The drop links are attached to the anti roll bar and the wishbones.

[Alex Himself]

Thanks for the quick replies. Anti roll bars bushes and clamps look pretty easy to replace too, if not a little awkwardly tucked away.

[Alex Himself]

Thanks Rob. Yes I have used the garage a couple of times now and highly rate them.

Are the rear back plates easy enough to DIY, or cheap enough for a mechanic to do?

[Rob69]

Thinking youve got drum brakes on your car, biggest problem might be getting the brake pipe out of the cylinders without rounding off or twisting the pipe, and the plate mounting bolts out. use plus gas or something for a few days prior. Maybe worth considering new shoes while its all in bits as well.
Ok to diy if it all comes to bits, problem arises when you get stuck with a broken brake pipe at home.

[Alan G H]

Change the front suspension lower arms to sort the swivels (ball joints) and bushes, BUT buy genuine or good quality ones (Lemforder are good), or you will be doing them again next year.
If your car has disc brakes on the rear, then the brake back plates they are talking about are probably only the dust covers, they are about a tenner a side from TPS, but you will have to take the rear hub off to fit them, and the bolt heads are likely to be very rusted. It's not a very easy job, but these dust covers should not fail the MOT, even if they are missing.
Of course, if your car has drum brakes on the rear, then the back plates are much more important, and may need changing.

[Alex Himself]

Thanks for the reply Alan. The back brakes are discs so for now i'll be getting the wishbones, ARB bushes and drop links done.