Track rod end replacement

[travelchick]

Hi, hope this is the correct thread.

I've just had my MOT which failed on track rod end. (Clk 208, 2003)
I've just noticed a large square hole cut behind the wheel arch where fitted, also my parking sensors no longer work?? Why would he cut a huge hole? I washed my car the week before & there was no hole

 

[travelchick]

 

[StMarks]

Hi, hope this is the correct thread.

I've just had my MOT which failed on track rod end. (Clk 208, 2003)
I've just noticed a large square hole cut behind the wheel arch where fitted, also my parking sensors no longer work?? Why would he cut a huge hole? I washed my car the week before & there was no hole

It seems unlikely that an MOT tester would be responsible for this.
As I understand it, even intrusive inspection is beyond the scope of their remit.

The hole that you have pictured looks imho very much like wear damage from something spinning against the arch liner.
Hth

 

[colinallcars]

View attachment 141709

That’s not freshly cut! Looks like it has been rubbing against the tyre for quite some time. Either the arch liner is loose or you have a big problem with the suspension.

 

[StMarks]

On reflection, I realise you are (possibly ? ) actually stating that you had the track rod end replaced, in order to pass the MOT test ?

If that is the case, then the technician who replaced the track rod end is not constrained like the MOT tester. It is perhaps conceivable that the damage was done during the suspension repair, for example if they employed heat/flame to release a stubborn fixing & were careless with the direction beyond the component.??

 

[colinallcars]

On reflection, I realise you are (possibly ? ) actually stating that you had the track rod end replaced, in order to pass the MOT test ?

If that is the case, then the technician who replaced the track rod end is not constrained like the MOT tester. It is perhaps conceivable that the damage was done during the suspension repair, for example if they employed heat/flame to release a stubborn fixing & were careless with the direction beyond the component.??

That’s a possibility, good thinking! A bit more info from the OP on the orientation of the picture would help.

 

[travelchick]

Many thanks to all your responses. I know 5 days ago there was no hole as I washed all wheels. I think you might be right about the heat as this could also be the reason my parking sensors no longevity work since MOT. Yes it failed & track rod end had to be replaced on that wheel, I know it's no coincidence. I've googled the sensors - which I'm more concerned about as I rely them a lot! It seems dirt etc is most likely reason. They are calling me back Monday to say I'd anything carried out could be responsible. I just had no idea what the job entailed.
Would you say the carelessness in creating a hole is reasonable? Will it cause me further problems by being open?

 

[W1ghty]

Many thanks to all your responses. I know 5 days ago there was no hole as I washed all wheels. I think you might be right about the heat as this could also be the reason my parking sensors no longevity work since MOT. Yes it failed & track rod end had to be replaced on that wheel, I know it's no coincidence. I've googled the sensors - which I'm more concerned about as I rely them a lot! It seems dirt etc is most likely reason. They are calling me back Monday to say I'd anything carried out could be responsible. I just had no idea what the job entailed.
Would you say the carelessness in creating a hole is reasonable? Will it cause me further problems by being open?

You can probably just get another wheel arch liner from eBay

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

They’ll say they didn’t do it - get a new arch liner and never go back there….

 

[OneForTheRoad]

My theory is they had the heat on the track Tod end and burnt it from the other side ??

 

[Petrol Pete]

A better photo might help . One taken from further away , but it does look like gas torch damage.

 

[baxlin]

I don’t know the cost/availability of an arch liner, but a car I had some time ago (can’t remember which) had a hole in the arch liner, covered by a pop-out cover, through which you accessed iirc a headlight bulb. Mine had one missing, so I self-tapped a suitably shaped piece of thin sheet alloy onto the liner to cover the hole. Maybe cheaper and easier than a new liner?

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I don’t know the cost/availability of an arch liner, but a car I had some time ago (can’t remember which) had a hole in the arch liner, covered by a pop-out cover, through which you accessed iirc a headlight bulb. Mine had one missing, so I self-tapped a suitably shaped piece of thin sheet alloy onto the liner to cover the hole. Maybe cheaper and easier than a new liner?

I did that once , using an old milk carton and 4 self tappers.

 

[ALFAitalia]

That's clearly not a cut unless your tech uses trained hamsters to cut holes!......looks worn through to me

 

[DSM10000]

A better photo might help . One taken from further away , but it does look like gas torch damage.

I had very similar damage on a C Class when an incorrectly fitted arch liner became loose and rubbed on the tyre.

The MOT Tester would not have caused that damage.