8 replies to this topic

[Abzero]

My recent MOT failure was for "Suspension rod ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt", also he also mentioned all 4 of these (which I assume are the ball joints on the swivle hub) were covered in grease.

 

So today, I got under the car and cleaned the up to have a look, and to my untrained eye they look fine.

 

This is the one which failed the car: https://imgur.com/c50oUzs

 

These are the others,

https://imgur.com/sUxgDfK

https://imgur.com/BHXK2GV

https://imgur.com/EGI5mlu

 

While i'm here should I just make sure they are greased and clean for the MOT, or since the covers are pretty cheap replace them? The one that "failed" looks a bit rougher than the others.

 

thanks!

[nicklouse]

Mmm what do you have on the other end of the lower suspension arms?

 

as that is not a rod ball joint. It is just a ball joint.

 

and they don’t look torn/split.

[whistler]

It might mean the covers for the trumpet ball joint where it sits in the top suspension arm.

[GraemeC]

I'd be with Whistler on this one, sounds more like the knuckle joints to me.

[Spider]

It may also be that the MOT guy was unfamiliar with Mini Ball Joints, having a Rubber that only sits over the joint as most other cars have a boot that completely seals the joint. It maybe the Knuckle Joints Boots, but as he referred to ' all 4 ' I think he was referring to the Ball Joints. Check your Knuckle Joints all the same.

[Abzero]

Had a look. I think the knuckle joints are fine (please let me know otherwise!):

 

https://imgur.com/IissHQy

https://imgur.com/C2zJEta

 

The lower arm bushes, don't look great:

 

https://imgur.com/OvsIjG7

https://imgur.com/5gJC8U3

 

 

So I'm thinking I should replace those anyway, and take an opportunity to tart up the area. Any recommendations of primer + paint for painting suspension parts?

[fokko]

Seems a bit unclear from your description as mentioned by others. Why don't you go back to the MOT garage and ask them? Your swivel hub joints seem very greasy, but the reason for that can also be a CV joint boot that is leaking...

[cal844]

Bottom arm bushes need replaced BUT he didn't fail the car for these so just drive the car. You need to go back and ask the tester which dust covers he was meaning, if he states that it's the ball joint or knuckle joints point out that those are standard fitment and not a failure

[Abzero]

Thanks for all your replies, its really appreciated.

 

The failure was from 6 months ago, with winter (and a lack of garage) plus other things getting priority the job has waited till now. I'm not sure where all that grease has come from, but I suspect it might be someones idea of rust proofing since its kind of everywhere. If they fail again, i'll ask them to point out exactly what the problem is.