MOT - welding of steering components

[9xxNick]

Does it sound reasonable to fail an MOT test because a steering component has been welded "solid" to remove the play which the original component (track rod end) had in it by virtue of a designed-in rubber section. This has added strength rather than removed it, and seems to me to be a reasonable and entirely safe modification.

I presume the section of the MOT Testers Manual that's being referred to is this one: "e. inappropriate structural modification or repair by welding to a steering linkage component, or signs of excessive heat having been applied."

I would appreciate opinions.

[Jimmyarm]

Can you post a picture of the track rod end or a link to a picture of one ?

Struggling to picture it

[paintman]

What vehicle is this on?
What is the normal configuration of this particular track rod end?
Some of your previous posts refer to Porsche so are we talking about the type of set-up shown in this link?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BqfBl5H-3E

Edited by paintman on Monday 6th October 15:51

[9xxNick]

Photo courtesy of Jackals-forge.com

The weld is at the left hand end of the track rod as shown in this photo, and performs the same job as the bolt does in this image. I don't have a bolt in mine, just the weld.

[jagracer]

You've answered your first paragraph with the second. It's a fail, end of.

[9xxNick]

Does the word "inappropriate" not leave some room for discussion? If not, why include it, although the sentence is ambiguous at best?

[jagracer]

Yeah the word "inappropriate" can be subjective but the words "repair by welding" when you say It's been repaired by welding leaves no room for manoeuvre.
What you have to remember is that the DVSA goons have a habit of hiding round the corner from MOT stations and then arrive like the Flying squad on speed the moment a tester logs a car off and then want to check it over to catch the tester out.

[9xxNick]

It's not a repair - nothing had broken or degraded. It's a reinforcement of the original.

I may just end up having to swap them out though.

[mighty kitten]

jagracer said:

Yeah the word "inappropriate" can be subjective but the words "repair by welding" when you say It's been repaired by welding leaves no room for manoeuvre.
What you have to remember is that the DVSA goons have a habit of hiding round the corner from MOT stations and then arrive like the Flying squad on speed the moment a tester logs a car off and then want to check it over to catch the tester out.

Agreeing with your take on the repair is disagreeing with the testing manual and I doubt many testers including myself would put themselves in the firing line over it .