Advice with MOT Advisory Items

DzF

I'm not very good when it comes to car repairs etc. so was just wondering if anybody could give me a bit of advice please, with what is probably a basic question.

I recently got an MOT done for my Ford Focus Estate 2005 (Petrol), which passed, but had the following advisories (along with both Front Tyres getting fairly low):

"Nearside front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement" and
"Offside front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement".

I want to get my Front Tyres changed asap, but before doing so, I didn't know if getting suspension arm bushes replaced at a slightly later date would alter the tracking for example that I will get done with the new tyres.

If somebody could let me know if I'm best to get suspension bushes done first, or if it makes no difference at all which order I get the two jobs done, that would be much appreciated.

Also, could anyone give me a rough idea of how much I should be looking to pay to get two suspension bushes fitted on my type of car?

Thanks

mcjordi

i would personally get the lower arms done first.. ( could do just the suspension rubbers but you may as well replace the whole arm )
then tyres
then tracking as it "should" be checked/adjusted with any new parts fitted such as wishbones/arms
although it really depends on condition of the current tyres
not be overly expensive on a focus

edit ecp give arms at £37 each, around an hour/2 hours labour should be looking at approx £120-150 dependant on cost of labour

AdrianC

Tracking will definitely need checking with new arms.

You wouldn't normally get it checked with new tyres, though - so I wonder if the old ones have worn unevenly? If so, that could well be caused by the bushes failing.

DzF

Thank you both for the advice, that's very helpful. I'll go ahead and get the suspension arms done first then, followed shortly by the new tyres.

I only mentioned the tracking as it has been recommened to me the last two or three times I've had new tyres (different car though), so I just presumed from then onwards it was best to get this done with every new pair of tyres, but it sounds like this may not be necessary each time then.

Motormad

Personally I would get a second opinion on the bushes as often the bonding to the metal is slightly loose at the edge although it is making no difference to the strength of the bush.If the tester found excess movement he would have failed it,hence the advisory,but it's up to you.

arcon5

Unless your tyres are wearing evenly i'd get new tyres and not worry for a few months. Just a case of the rubber has perished slightly over time for the wishbone is probably still solid. Unless you feel anything in the steering wheel or unusual wear?

Richard53

DzF wrote: »

"Nearside front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement" and
"Offside front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement".

That wording says to me they are not dangerous, only showing signs of deterioration, and need to be monitored. There is no excessive movement, so they are not in a dangerous condition.


Personally, I would leave it for a couple of months (depending on your mileage) and have it looked at again. It may last until and beyond the next MoT. It may not. Get the tyres done now, and then have the tracking checked.


That's all assuming the tyre wear is not abnormal. If it is, get the suspension sorted first, or you are throwing money away.

DzF

Thanks for the additional responses and help.

Just to clarify, the car drives perfectly normal to me, I don't notice any vibration or pull or anything like that. The tyres have worn evenly from what I can see, it's just that they are getting low and could do with changing very soon.

I'll have a think over the weekend and decide what to do then, as from what's been said here, with my car driving normally, with even wear on the tyres, I could get what appears to be the most important safety thing done first, which is the tyres. Then later on get a second opinion on the suspension bushes and go from there with replacing the bushes or as mentioned above, a new arm with bushes.

Thanks again for the help.