Octy PD130 L&K 2003 passed MOT first go - no work, bot bad for 81k - yay!

But one advisory - can anyone clarify what/where to look/likely current future effect/urgency etc.

The garage I used has a great system where you pick up/pay at petrol checkout so no opportunity to ask mechanic! And the reception bloke was Polish (or similar) and communication was bad enough as it was (genuinely no offence intended - just the situation).

Advisory: "Slight wear in near side of inner steering rack joint".

Cheers.

Well, it means exactly what it says - the joint/bearing where the LH steering arm comes out of the rack is slightly worn. It will be covered by a rubber gaiter if you go looking yourself.

It will have an effect on the accuracy of your car's steering, and the results of a high speed failure (effectively no steering) don't really bear thinking about!

It's not currently a safety issue - it passed the MOT! - and there is no noticeable problem with the steering/tyre wear/noises/handling currently

I was after a qualified mechanics prognosis and hopefully the accurate component names or a diagram so I could check myself.

I had a cavalier for nearly a decade - sometimes the rear bushes were an advisory, sometimes they were 'fine' - they were never changed in 60k miles! If you get my drift.

I think Ken described the issue quite well.

the joint/bearing where the LH steering arm comes out of the rack is slightly worn. It will be covered by a rubber gaiter if you go looking yourself.

It's hardly about to fall off but is something that may require attention in the future and hence is an advisory notice.

If you want a qualified mechanics prognosis why not take it to one and pay for the privelege. Alternatively you could join Freedom and ask in the 'Ask a Tech' forum.

It's not currently a safety issue - it passed the MOT! - and there is no noticeable problem with the steering/tyre wear/noises/handling currently

I was after a qualified mechanics prognosis and hopefully the accurate component names or a diagram so I could check myself.

I had a cavalier for nearly a decade - sometimes the rear bushes were an advisory, sometimes they were 'fine' - they were never changed in 60k miles! If you get my drift.

Think of this message when you're sliding down the motorway on your roof!

I had a simillar problem with my old/old mondeo. Went through 3 mots with the same advisory each time, problem never got any worse than it was already and that was despite travelling 20K between each mot.

If you are worried, get someone independent to look at it, like I did and get a prognosis. In my case the independent inspection could find nothing wrong and they put it down to the tester/garage looking at possibly making a few extra quid.

If you want a qualified mechanics prognosis why not take it to one and pay for the privelege. Alternatively you could join Freedom and ask in the 'Ask a Tech' forum.

A little harsh maybe, although depends whether it was just an MOT centre or a garage and MOt centre. Certaily when mine are mot'd at the local garage I always get a headups on any problems and how urgent they need looking at.

from what i've read of the description , KenONiell is correct in his diagnosis ,

on either the end of the steering rack there are arms screwed into it , these are called track rods , to allow suspension/steering movement they have a ball joint at the rack end , right by where it is screwed into the rack , this is covered by the rack gaitor and usually has some grease inside , if the ball joint has wear in it , you will get some play when the wheel is held and pushed side to side , the MOT tester has advised there is some play , the play is obviously not excessive otherwise it would of failed

if the play gets too much you may get knocking noises when driving along and possibly uneven tyre wear , so maybe next service get the garage to access the wear and change it if necessary

It may seem harsh Simon but I thought Ken had given a reasonably accurate and helpful reply which appeared to be discarded off hand and with no thanks by the OP. It annoyed me somewhat and my point was that if the OP didn't think the advice was accurate then paid advice was the best option.

Well, it means exactly what it says - the joint/bearing where the LH steering arm comes out of the rack is slightly worn. It will be covered by a rubber gaiter if you go looking yourself.

It will have an effect on the accuracy of your car's steering, and the results of a high speed failure (effectively no steering) don't really bear thinking about!

Could not have put it better myself and i am an MOT tester

Phil

Have seen track rods replaced on Fabias for this reason, I think they were about

Have seen track rods replaced on Fabias for this reason, I think they were about

the problem with MOT tests is that people think that it is a guarantee of road worthiness for the next 12 months.

:iagree:

Thanks to the helpful answers. Much appreciated.

I a not a mechanical idiot - Ken answered in what I found a rather condescending/unhelpful manner - that is how it read anyway.

The advisory isn't specific as to exactly which joint - I was hoping people with experience of these cars might know the common weaknesses and shed light on exactly which joint to look at/how quickly they deteriorate.

The idea of a forum community is that you 'help' each other isn't it - reciprocation - if you read my posts I have attempted to help others in the past and contribute on the social side when I have time.

So fine, if you want another forum where the regulars treat everyone else like morons or spongers I won't bother posting anymore.

Sorry you felt that way. If you hadn't noticed, there are multiple levels of ability on here, and it came across as a rather basic question, since there are actually only 2 joints on each side of a steering rack.

Thanks Ken - I'm in a better mood today! I never read your reply, but I was asking because I had checked everything I could see and it all seemed AOK! I thought I might be missing something and I was hoping that there might be people here who had had a similar experience i.e. it was a characteristic fault/issue.

Anyway, I thought I'd kick up this old thread just to say it has just passed it's second MOT since this 'fault' was suggested - no repair has ever been carried out and it has never been mentioned again!

The car still drives without fault and stays the right way up on the motorway.

If I'd known you better, I'd not have made post #2 (no need). It confirms my view of MoT advisories though; keep them in mind, but unless they mention corrosion, no action required, just a place to start looking for actual faults.