4 replies to this topic

[paulrockliffe]

Hello,

I'm going for my first MOT in a couple of weeks, can people give me a big list of things to go out and check before I go to the test and how I go about checking them please? Things like wheel bearings, any common failures etc?

Also, I seem to have a fair bit of paly in my steering wheel - what might be the problem and what should I do about it?

Cheers.

[Dan]

Rotational play or does the wheel itself move about?

[paulrockliffe]

Rotational play or does the wheel itself move about?

Sorry, rotational play before the wheels start to move. I can't remeber exactly, but I'm sure it didn't use to be that sloppy.

[The Matt]

Well, as you have rotational play in the steering wheel, it points to play in the main steering components or in the hub/bearing.

Firstly, lock the wheel over so that you can see the track rod ends with the wheels on the floor, get someone inside the car to turn the steering wheel back and to whilst you look at them.

Jack the car up, put it on stands so it's safe and grab the road wheels at 'quarter to three', then shake them, try and feel how much play there is and try and look where it is coming from. Look at the track rod ends, see if they're moving. Maybe even get someone else to shake the wheels whilst you look. See if the play feels like it's all in the hub/bearing. Also, check the steering rack. It could be in there. The easiest way to check all of this is to get someone else to shake the wheels whilst you look. But if you're working under the car, make sure that you've got it safely supported on stands or similar. If you have wheel ramps, you could drive it up onto them, chock the back wheels and then lie underneath the car whilst someone gently turns the steering wheel from side to side

[The Matt]

As for checklists, it'd be quite a comprehensive post, so I'd suggest you look in the FAQ section for a site that Jammy posted up, it details a lot of MOT checks etc.

Use the search, it is your friend.