Mot pass but advisories ?

I would replace the trackrod end and ignore the other bits.

"Matthew.Ridges" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

The key detail - an advisory is something that's passed the MOT.

BUT - it's something that the tester isn't too happy about. No more than that. Think of it as a "word to the wise".

Front strut - the vertical bit that goes from the wheel to the inner wing. It's attached at the top with a joint which allows some movement, to accomodate suspension travel, as well - obviously - as allowing the strut to rotate for the steering.

Sounds like it's getting a bit knackered and allowing a bit too much movement. Worst case is that the strut top can fail completely on some cars, allowing the strut to go upwards through the bonnet.

Not a huge job, usually, depending on what car. Suspension alignment might need checking afterwards, again - depending.

The ferrule is the metal end on the flexible hose. It's got some surface corrosion. Wire brush and a smear of grease.

So the trackrod end is still tight, but the rubber cover is split - which will allow road grot and water in, rapidly increasing wear. Get the TRE changed - tracking will need setting up afterwards.

As others have said; get the track rod end done at some point before water and dirt cause it to develop play. When it's worn, it will put the tracking out, and cost you in terms of increased tyre wear, so it makes financial sense also.

Advisories are usually issued at a bit of "arse-covering"; a lot of the MOT is subjective, and if your car is stopped by VOSA as you leave the test centre, the tester doesn't want them to find things that have not even been mentioned.

Chris

What car? Some just do this, but it'll get noisy before it's an issue.

grease it.

Change it

I had this on my wife's Rover 200. Inside the bonnet on top of the strut there is a nut and metal cap that clamps to the bush. On ours it was possible to grip the cap and twist it - so we removed the nut and inserted a washer between it and the cap and no more movement. It's passed the MOT 3 times since then and is holding good.

I thought it was an odd advisorie, I did the track rod, end, ball joint about 7 months ago. I think I'll have to pop the wheel off and see. I did a brake check not long ago and all was in order.

Alhough I popped back in later on to ask as I was passing the main chap the boss, said hes a little nit picky with those advisories and said he would just leave take it with a pinch of salt quietly to me.

Excellent stuff Adrian that was really helpful. I've only covered a few basic tasks and am a bit of an ethusiast but something are a bit double dutch :)

MK4 golf 2001 .. ahhh so I'll keep my ears open and listen out if it gets to that point and go from there.

Yeah I read above a light clean and grease sorts that. So I'll get on to that when I get a chance.

Thats the odd thing I changed it 7 months ago, the whole lost the track road, end, ball joint. Although I've got strange wear on the the offending side, the inner should side has worn down more than any other side, I got that tyre changed before the MOT. It was a straight forward job, I did it by the book, and also had the tracking done. I wonder if it got a split and is damaged now somehow causing this which the MOT tester spotted.

Run your fingernail round it & you'll find if it's split.

Did you get a wheel alignment after you changed the joint?

Adrian has brought this to us :

If the joint is still dry and clean, you can just buy a new cover for a few pence and takes less time.

They're not difficult to split, if the inner shoulder's wearing then it's toeing out too much whilst driving, check the inner wishbone bushes, they go soft a long time before they split.