MOT and Gaiters

[Firept]

I fitted new Gaiters to the front suspension struts when I rebuilt them in late 2010, due to various reasons I have only done about 1200 miles since and now the gaiters have split, (Found them split today whilst doing other work).
I wont mention where I got them from yet as I have emailed the supplier with photos of condition and will await their response first before name and shame!
Is this now an MOT failure?
Has any one else found the same problem or a solution?

Found today that I have rot at the bottom of the inner flitch panel / Suspension tower so need to do this first before the engine goes back in just another job!!! ..........Argh all I want to do now is drive it again, I suppose by the time I have finished it we will be into a major wash out of a Summer, must be on the way as there are drought orders coming.

stag images 056.JPGstag images 042.JPGstag images 054.JPG

Thanks
Paul.

[martin]

Hi Paul, those bloody gaiters will turn into onion rings 20 minutes after you fit them, doesn't matter who the supplier is. My old girl's passed about 5 MOTs with them shot. Not all McPherson strut cars have them so I can't see they're a testable item. Martin.

[jleyton]

Has any one else found the same problem or a solution?ThanksPaul.

Hi Paul,Yep, I replaced both my strut gaiters, together with all the front suspension/steering bushes, a little over a year ago.

Preparing for my MOT a couple of weeks ago I noticed that one of the two strut gaiters had split and the MOT tester showed me the wear in both inner track control arm bushes Luckily, only an advisory but I will be changing both - again. He didn't mention the strut gaiters.

Sorry about your rot but at least it looks like you have the ability to fix it yourself - I just wish I could do the body side of things as well asd the mechanical and trim

Good luck.

Julian

[peterrc]

Hi Paul, I copied this from a thread on here started by 'AlanD' it answers your question.
However there was some discussion between the tester (who has done my Stags for many years) and myself about the front suspension leg rubber gaiters. I fitted them exactly 3 years ago and yet they are now split He had to check to see how these were affected by the new rules on 'dust protectors'. Apparently the manual doesn't include MacPherson Struts in the new rules, so he let them through. Had they been on ball joints or otherwise it would have meant a fail.
Peter, Cupar

[nib]

Interesting to hear different views on this.
Im in the process of getting my car ready for the mot this week and was on the understanding that they will be a fail part on the mot come April but due to complications at the moment they are advisories.
Mark

[cosmicwheels]

Hi mark, I had 1 good gaiter and one shot so i cut them both off before the mot, it passed and now can be replaced when i have the time,John

[nib]

Thats the way I will go John,cut off the remains of whats on there and chance my arm.
Thanks
Mark

[DJT]

Hi,
That quote from Peter, above, is from me. As it says, the tester checked his system for guidance on this and concluded they weren't a reason for fail. They weren't an advisory either.

Dave

[AlanD]

If it's any help mine are shot, onion rings, but he never mentioned mine at all, just the ball joint boot, oh and the missing bolt.

alan

[Firept]

Thanks for guys.
We have just started doing car MOT's at work so I will ask the "newly qualified" examiners what they say ( cant get the car MOTd for cheap as its classed as benefits in kind ).
I have had a look at some original parts for motorcycle front fork gaiters so may be thats the way to go I will let you know if I find some that fit.
It looks like some of the current range of Fords still use them so another possible supply.
It just so annoying to have to take them off and change them again, back to the tin hat and cowering under the bench time coming up!!

Paul.

[alan_thomas]

Paul, An identical rust problem is shown on the Faversham Classics website, I don't know if the repair panel is one they supply or made up 'as required'

http://www.favershamclassics.co.uk/page39.html

- Alan

[Firept]

Alan.
Yes I saw that I spent part of Sunday afternoon annoying the neighbours by panel beating some sheet steel to fit the profile of the inner wing flitch panel.
Just need to fit it now!!
Shame there is not a pre-made panel for this as I suspect this is going to be a problem to come.

Paul.

[dasadrew]

Slightly off topic, I know, but is there some sort of avatar lookalike competition going on here?

[AlanD]

just making the point that white is the best, lol, now running for cover

[cosmicwheels]

Slightly off topic, I know, but is there some sort of avatar lookalike competition going on here?

We cant all put our photo on like you