MOT Failure

[azaman]

So my coupe failed its MOT today due to excessive play on the offside track rod end balljoint.

Is this typical of an 04 car with 40K on the clock?

The garage wants £90 +vat to fix with free retest, is this worth it?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can share with me

 

[para alpha]

So my coupe failed its MOT today due to excessive play on the offside track rod end balljoint.

Is this typical of an 04 car with 40K on the clock?

The garage wants £90 +vat to fix with free retest, is this worth it?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can share with me

Yep! I'd take their hand off! You should get 14 days for a free retest anyway, but to avoid complications, I would!

 

[EDZ649]

Sounds very reasonable. Don't forget to get the tracking done after otherwise you will be buying new front tyres soon too!

 

[Rory]

OK, I know all sorts of things can affect reliability on modern cars, but MB used to trade on their vehicle's robustness.

How ridiculous that a Mercedes steering/suspension component can't survive 40K miles. What happens to the Mercs being driven in Africa etc, do they fall apart now after 5 minutes?

 

[wemorgan]

OK, I know all sorts of things can affect reliability on modern cars, but MB used to trade on their vehicle's robustness.

How ridiculous that a Mercedes steering/suspension component can't survive 40K miles. What happens to the Mercs being driven in Africa etc, do they fall apart now after 5 minutes?

I agree, 40k is low. Maybe it was 40k of town driving?

Do they have a MoT equivalent in African countries? It's possible they are all driving around with knackered suspension parts anyway.

 

[para alpha]

OK, I know all sorts of things can affect reliability on modern cars, but MB used to trade on their vehicle's robustness.

How ridiculous that a Mercedes steering/suspension component can't survive 40K miles. What happens to the Mercs being driven in Africa etc, do they fall apart now after 5 minutes?

it may have not been greased properly when manufactured? Or the rubber has had a small split and the joint had become contaminated? It's really difficult to say?

 

[lynall]

Personally i would say thats dear but then i am a tight *******.

Track rod end doddle to change.

But if you dont diy then go for it saves any hassle for another year anyway.

Ends £23 each from e bay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-W203-C-Class-Track-Rod-End-2033302003-R-H-OEQ_W0QQitemZ120426558668QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item1c09fb74cc&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1683%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Lynall

 

[azaman]

Personally i would say thats dear but then i am a tight *******.

Track rod end doddle to change.

But if you dont diy then go for it saves any hassle for another year anyway.

Ends £23 each from e bay Mercedes W203 C Class Track Rod End 2033302003 R/H OEQ on eBay (end time 26-Jul-09 14:30:57 BST)

Lynall

Thank Lynall,

I could change this myself but the MOT runs out in a couple of days so need this sorted ASAP. £106 all in is not too bad, only downer is I've got a long walk to work after I drop the car off in the morning.

I'll see if I can get them to do the tracking for free :bannana:

 

[azaman]

it may have not been greased properly when manufactured? Or the rubber has had a small split and the joint had become contaminated? It's really difficult to say?

I am quite surprised that suspension components are already wearing out.
I've had some real junkers in the past that I've driven quite hard but never had something go so quickly.

There are a lot of speed humps in my area so perhaps they have contributed. I'll be driving over them a little slower from now on!

 

[wemorgan]

I'll see if I can get them to do the tracking for free

They should do, otherwise it's like buying a new tyre and being charged extra for air

 

[Shude]

I am quite surprised that suspension components are already wearing out.
I've had some real junkers in the past that I've driven quite hard but never had something go so quickly.

My W202 has just passed 196k and it's still on the original springs and shocks (although they're a bit bouncy now) but I've been through two steering dampers in the last couple of years.

 

[azaman]

They should do, otherwise it's like buying a new tyre and being charged extra for air

What the... I always pay for air!

 

[azaman]

All sorted this morning - £103 all in. They did the tracking and completed the MOT.

This has been one expensive month:
MOT £54
Repair: £103
Road Tax: £215
Insurance: £420
Total = £792... OUCH!

Rear brake pads will need changing soon too :-(

 

[Baron_Samedi]

Feeling for you matey.

At least the obvious bills are out of the way for a year, now :bannana:

 

[azaman]

Feeling for you matey.

At least the obvious bills are out of the way for a year, now :bannana:

Until the next service is due (8K miles to go)