After a lengthy period of unemployment, I have at last managed to find a job. Unfortunately, it's some distance away, so a long commute. It's between 50-60 miles, depending on route. I figure it's at the outer limit of commutable distance. So, start on Monday, and I'm really chuffed.
Then I remembered I'd had a tax renewal reminder this month. Soddit, that means the MOT too.
Well, I took it to a local place, and it sailed through with a couple of advisories, neither of which were a big surprise to me. but the guy did say, next time it could get pricey.
The two things were
a) Offside inner track rod and ball joint has slight play. He said something about it being the one inside the gaiter, and he didn't know if you could buy just the joint, or would need a whole power steering rack
and
b) Floors corroding. I think this is quite bad and widespread. He was talking about jacking points, and how the inner and outer skins are spot-welded along the edge. Or summat.
So, no immediate issue, but looking further ahead... I'm reluctant to get rid, because
a) I like it
b) I've spent a fair bit on it already, including new clutch, cambelt, and head gasket
c) It's still v. low mileage (<40k on T plate)
As I've just started work Im hoping I'll have a few bob to spend in the summer. So, any thoughts, guys, please, on the cost? Can you buy that joint without a whole new rack? if so, I guess that might not be such a big or costly job. But what about the floor panels? Can you buy the panels? Any idea what sort of money I'd be talking about, ballpark? Or maybe even someone has panels they want to sell?
Any thoughts much appreciated, guys, thanks. Car is a T-reg Mk I Sporting, BTW, and I'm based in Wiltshire.
well first things first, the inner rack joint is not a failure, advise only.
only way it can fail on it is if the steering wheel moves a certain distance and the wheels dont.
the floor pan, it will just need undersealing if its passed, get it on a ramp, wire brush any loose old underseal/rust off, and cover the whole lot in underseal, will cost about a tenner, get it done now though, any longer and it may need welding.
i have had the same problem at the same place on the floor.
Thought about just selling up after i spoke to the guy but he said to take the seats and carpet out myself and remove the tar-like parts on the floor to save on labour charges.
Once the carpets were out i was worried but went to a local welder who is going to do the welding for £90 and underseal it for another £20. While i am at it i will clean up and paint the inside.
I cant find anywhere to buy a new part to weld in but they shape the metal to be a good fit. Someone might know if you can buy them anywhere?
Thanks guys. If I could get welding and undersealing done for £110 I'd be delighted! I'll take the carpets out and do a bit of an inspection later. And that's good to hear about the joint, ta, beau.
Congrats on getting her through - I wouldn't worry too much about those issues, compared to some they are relatively minor.
Well done on getting it through.
My car went through the MoT with NO advisories and the mechanic commented on how clean it was. Mine must have super-doper sailed through then
you dont by new sections but rather cut the shape needed from sheet metal. also if you really want to go all out fiberglass over the new sections just for extra surport.Originally Posted by GT-Tam
The inner joint on the rack can be replaced. Not expensive either. Could do it yourself quite easily however access can be a pain with rack/engine in situ.
if its passed it wont need welding, if it needed welding it would have failed, just underseal it asap.
Mine was not a fail for the mot but i was advised to have it looked at, but when you start lifting the carpets both sides need work.
Well worth a look if you plan to keep the car for a few years.
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