16 replies to this topic

[Tubby1987]

Earlier today I had 4 new tyres fitted ready for the dreaded Mot (in 2 days) and while the guy at wilco was doing the tyres, he told me there was play in the nearside radius arm. He grabbed it and started really pulling it, but to me didn't look to move much, only very slightly if you looked close enough.

 

Any info on this from anyone on here? Should it move if you use all your strength to rag it?

 

They also said the front nearside wheel bearing was on its way out, but I've not heard any unfamiliar noises etc.

 

 

[KernowCooper]

Have you greased the radius arms ? a MOT inspector is going to pull it 12-6oclock and 3-9oclock and if its got excessive play then it would be a fail, same with the play in the front, are you sure its not a ball joint ?

[alex-95]

I would get it jacked up yourself. for the radius arm hold the wheel and push and pull it, there shouldn't be any play. for the wheel bearing hold the wheel at 6 and 12 oclock and try and rock it and then do the same for 3 and 9

[Cooperman]

If there is any significant movement in the rear rad. arm it will be an MoT failure. Try filling it with more grease, then jack it up and try for yourself.

As for front wheel bearings, jack it up, hole the wheel at 12 o'clock/6 o'clock and see how much play there is. The top/bottom of the tyre should not move more than 1 mm or so. If it does either the bearing is on the way out or, more likely, the centre hub nut requires a bit more torque.

You just need to check this yourself.

[Tubby1987]

Thanks everyone I'll do these checks before I take it to the station, I had no problems last year with any of these things, no advisories etc and I've only covered 2000 miles if that this year! Just made me wonder if they were fishing for work!

 

Could be a ball joint KernowCooper as I had to replace one on the last Mot but to the offside.

 

Cheers

[Guess-Works.com]

When was the last time you went round the car with a grease gun ?

[Tubby1987]

To be honest I haven't, I bought the car last year so just been doing bits here n there

[MINIMADrt]

Jack the front end up spin the wheel by hand and listen to it.

Is it rumberling not always play with a bearing.

And obviously still do the other thing people have mentioned

[Tubby1987]

Will do that mate cheers

[jime17]

As said by far more knowledgable people than me, grease it. It takes all the play completely out of my off side arm and has done so for a few years now.

[spiguy]

I used to pull in about 100 yards before the MOT station on MOT day, jump out, get grease gun out of boot, grease arms, drive into MOT station and park it up.

[Tubby1987]

Which grease gun is best or will any do? I will buy one tomorrow before the Mot and do carlukemini's trick. Where do I apply it?

Edited by Tubby1987, 21 November 2014 - 11:22 PM.

[Carlos W]

I started a thread on grease guns a little while ago.

There are 8 grease nipples on a mini (i think)
Top and bottom ball joints both sides
Top arms both sides
Rear radius arms both sides

[Dr s]

And the back of the gearbox

[Tubby1987]

Turns out I was right, motosave were fishing for work, I had the Mot Saturday and asked the tester to look at the radius arm in question and the wheel bearing, he said there's absolutely nothing wrong with them! In fact he was pretty impressed with the condition of the radius arms and subframe! He said they look fairly new!