MOT failure - options and advice

vaio

jitters wrote: »

This is my main worry,

in '08 I spent £619 fixing brakes, suspension, roll bars, wishbones
in '09 (to date) £380 discs and pads, brake shoes, front springs, NSR wheel bearing and it is still has problems with the brakes! In '08-early '09 I was still receiving my stipend but now I'm not and costs like these are becomming a little crippling.

If you've had brake shoes this year then the MOT brake problem is likely to be an adjustment issue rather than something expensive. Otherwise I tend to agree with the others, change both shocks, the rusty pipe will need new fluid anyway and, assuming the car is reliable, then keep it

goldspanners

as most others have said replace the shockers and get under the car and clean up the rusty brake pipe with a wire brush then give it a coat of black paint,unless when you start cleaning off the rust it starts to look a bit thin then get it replaced.
the brake shoes will need a slight adjustment,but as this is an advisory it doesnt matter at the moment regarding your MOT. but if you find you need the brake pipe ask the garage to give the back shoes a quick adjust up for you,they may do this FOC.

as you have spent so much recently on other things i would be keeping this car. what happens if you sell this and buy the other one and then it needs all the same stuff replacing shortly?

better the devil you know.

jeannieblue

I agree with the better the devil you know attitude. But I disagree with the idiots that recommend changing both of the shock absorbers when only one of them is a fail.. That is really stupid and not MSE at all. Plus it is a very very old fashioned idea to change 'both'... :rolleyes:

Get the shock done and the brake pipe at a good price (try and find a good local independent). Slowly work through the advisory's - which are not dangerous etc., otherwise the car would have failed on them. Get a good mechanic to recommend which you should do first etc. No rush. No panic. Chill...

a11waysindebt

jeannieblue wrote: »

I agree with the better the devil you know attitude. But I disagree with the idiots that recommend changing both of the shock absorbers when only one of them is a fail.. That is really stupid and not MSE at all. Plus it is a very very old fashioned idea to change 'both'... :rolleyes:

Get the shock done and the brake pipe at a good price (try and find a good local independent). Slowly work through the advisory's - which are not dangerous etc., otherwise the car would have failed on them. Get a good mechanic to recommend which you should do first etc. No rush. No panic. Chill...

Would you change only 1 side of the brakes if they were worn. Its false economy.

steveo3002

well the op says theyre tight on funds ...the car will pass its mot and be usuable with one new shocker , so thats the best option in this case

id agree when you can afford it ...chances are the other side is on its way out too

jeannieblue

a11waysindebt wrote: »

Would you change only 1 side of the brakes if they were worn. Its false economy.

That is a plain stupid argument - and you know it, brakes have to be balanced... If one shock is perfectly fine and not leaking, why on earth would you change it? It is not like a spring - which you might consider changing both sides if one has gone. False economy??? OP will pay half the price that you want them to pay! I call that money saving and true common sense.

Give us your technical reason as to why this would save the OP money? And your technical reason as to why both should be changed...

Think you are living in a time gone by, or are employed by Kwik Fit.

jeannieblue

steveo3002 wrote: »

well the op says theyre tight on funds ...the car will pass its mot and be usuable with one new shocker , so thats the best option in this case

id agree when you can afford it ...chances are the other side is on its way out too

That well may be the case - so change that one when it needs it, could be a year or so down the line...

jitters

Hi again! Thanks for all the replies.

Yes, the car was taken to an local independent garage. I'll be on the phone tomorrow having a ring-a-round to get some more quotes.

I'm going to have a serious think. Shocks are generally replaced in pairs (i thought) as they tend to wear at similar rates and if I just replaced the one the combined effect of the new and old will affect the driving (experience). Besides, if the car is jacked up it makes sense to do the other - labor etc.

So, I really need to have a think. If i want to keep the car I'd do both, but if i decide to sell i could quite easily just get the one done and keep my costs low.

I've the problem of not having a driveway and an car paked on the road with no MOT (it cant be moved) so getting under the car isn't particulary easy - but if the extent of the corrosion is mnimal and a quick rub with a wire brush could sort it - i'll have a go tomorrow.

The 'other' car is an old Pug 306 which i'm informed is also a good runner and has been serviced every year. Its MOT is due in march. I understand and agree with the "better the devil you know" sentiment but when do you call time?

Once again, thanks for all the input - i feel like i'm between a rock and a hard place at the moment.

a11waysindebt

jeannieblue wrote: »

That is a plain stupid argument - and you know it, brakes have to be balanced... If one shock is perfectly fine and not leaking, why on earth would you change it? It is not like a spring - which you might consider changing both sides if one has gone. False economy??? OP will pay half the price that you want them to pay! I call that money saving and true common sense.

Give us your technical reason as to why this would save the OP money? And your technical reason as to why both should be changed...

Think you are living in a time gone by, or are employed by Kwik Fit.

Work for quick fit no.:rotfl:

I did however used to run a garage some moons ago.;)

Firstly I wouldn't guarantee the single unit for any period of time.

The outside of the unit might look ok, but how long before the unit fails.

How long has it been on the car for ?

Money saving it might be, This is a safety issue. From what I can remember the shocker is a combined spring unit, not just a normal unit.

Brake pipes again, paint them over :eek: I'd rather fit a new one.

There is life saving or money saving. Your not only playing with your only life but also other peoples.

goldspanners

jeannieblue wrote: »

But I disagree with the idiots that recommend changing both of the shock absorbers when only one of them is a fail.. That is really stupid and not MSE at all. Plus it is a very very old fashioned idea to change 'both'... :rolleyes:

suspension plays as big a part in braking characterisitcs as your brakes do.