My Old Rover 600 Diesel fails MoT !
Discussion
I usually put my cars in for their MoT four weeks before the current certificate is due to expire. That way if anything needs doing, I can still drive the car and have sufficient time to get things done. Having driven this car since last summer I was fairly confident that nothing serious would be found but, you live and learn. Up on the ramps for the usual checks:~
A worn upper ball joint was found on the nearside front suspension. It was actually badly worn and I could easily move the swivel well over ~ something you would not be able to do with one in good condition. Note the split seal and total lack of lubricant:~
This car passed its MoT less than twelve months ago in previous ownership and by coincidence, it was MoTed in the same place I've used for twenty years for my cars. The tester is one I completely trust ~ he does only MoTs, no repairs ~ When this friendly tester called me over to show me the 'fail' evidence, I tried pulling the top of the wheel in and out and sure enough, you could detect some wear movement in the ball swivel assembly on the nearside upper wishbone. There was no movement at all when checking the driver's side for comparison. Fortunately, I had a good spare tucked away back in my garage at home. It took me half and hour to locate it though ( I have so much stuff ....
) and another half hour or so to use it to replace the worn one. Easy job. Immediate retest and car now has thirteen months MoT.
I suspect that after all the years that seal had perished allowing the all important lubricant to become contaminated and lost. Then wear is rapid.
I learn something new each MoT visit ~ today was no exception. He remarked on the sound condition of my old Rover diesel. Whilst checking my car I asked him which modern cars if any suffer from corrosion like many cars once did. He mentioned just one ~ in his experience the Ford Ka is prone to premature corrosion apparently ~ most others are good in this respect although they suffer from mechanical problems rather than structural ones.
Oh yes, the old Rover Diesel now drives and steers much better now ~ good as new in fact. Previously, compared to my 620ti with half the mileage, it did not do that.... now it does... Result ... and didn't cost me a penny as that upper wishbone came surplus with a pair of Rover 620ti front knuckle, hub, disc and caliper assemblies used for a brake upgrade.
MORAL ~ Keep your balls and swivels well lubricated ....
.
A worn upper ball joint was found on the nearside front suspension. It was actually badly worn and I could easily move the swivel well over ~ something you would not be able to do with one in good condition. Note the split seal and total lack of lubricant:~
This car passed its MoT less than twelve months ago in previous ownership and by coincidence, it was MoTed in the same place I've used for twenty years for my cars. The tester is one I completely trust ~ he does only MoTs, no repairs ~ When this friendly tester called me over to show me the 'fail' evidence, I tried pulling the top of the wheel in and out and sure enough, you could detect some wear movement in the ball swivel assembly on the nearside upper wishbone. There was no movement at all when checking the driver's side for comparison. Fortunately, I had a good spare tucked away back in my garage at home. It took me half and hour to locate it though ( I have so much stuff ....
) and another half hour or so to use it to replace the worn one. Easy job. Immediate retest and car now has thirteen months MoT.I suspect that after all the years that seal had perished allowing the all important lubricant to become contaminated and lost. Then wear is rapid.
I learn something new each MoT visit ~ today was no exception. He remarked on the sound condition of my old Rover diesel. Whilst checking my car I asked him which modern cars if any suffer from corrosion like many cars once did. He mentioned just one ~ in his experience the Ford Ka is prone to premature corrosion apparently ~ most others are good in this respect although they suffer from mechanical problems rather than structural ones.
Oh yes, the old Rover Diesel now drives and steers much better now ~ good as new in fact. Previously, compared to my 620ti with half the mileage, it did not do that.... now it does... Result ... and didn't cost me a penny as that upper wishbone came surplus with a pair of Rover 620ti front knuckle, hub, disc and caliper assemblies used for a brake upgrade.
MORAL ~ Keep your balls and swivels well lubricated ....
.
Bad luck with the fail, John - but at least it wasn't anything serious and an easy fix. Mine (almost identical to yours, a white SLDi) is going back to the UK this weekend to be MOT'd whilst I holiday in Spain - I really hope everything is ok and it will last another year!
Talking of corrosion, I've got a fair bit of rust on the lower left rear arch. This is going to be dealt with whilst the car is in the UK so when I get it back all should be good and hopefully it will last a fair while longer.
Being over here in Germany I often worry about the availability of parts for Rovers - thankfully it has been reliable so far and the only (only...!!) thing which has needed replacement was the exhaust. I had it done at a KwikFit stlye chain over here. Mid section and rear box - €427!!! Heart attack. I am sure that in the UK it would have cost half that, but there you go.
Talking of corrosion, I've got a fair bit of rust on the lower left rear arch. This is going to be dealt with whilst the car is in the UK so when I get it back all should be good and hopefully it will last a fair while longer.
Being over here in Germany I often worry about the availability of parts for Rovers - thankfully it has been reliable so far and the only (only...!!) thing which has needed replacement was the exhaust. I had it done at a KwikFit stlye chain over here. Mid section and rear box - €427!!! Heart attack. I am sure that in the UK it would have cost half that, but there you go.
LeoZwalf said:
Bad luck with the fail, John - but at least it wasn't anything serious and an easy fix. Mine (almost identical to yours, a white SLDi) is going back to the UK this weekend to be MOT'd whilst I holiday in Spain - I really hope everything is ok and it will last another year!
Talking of corrosion, I've got a fair bit of rust on the lower left rear arch. This is going to be dealt with whilst the car is in the UK so when I get it back all should be good and hopefully it will last a fair while longer.
Being over here in Germany I often worry about the availability of parts for Rovers - thankfully it has been reliable so far and the only (only...!!) thing which has needed replacement was the exhaust. I had it done at a KwikFit stlye chain over here. Mid section and rear box - €427!!! Heart attack. I am sure that in the UK it would have cost half that, but there you go.
Hi Leo,Talking of corrosion, I've got a fair bit of rust on the lower left rear arch. This is going to be dealt with whilst the car is in the UK so when I get it back all should be good and hopefully it will last a fair while longer.
Being over here in Germany I often worry about the availability of parts for Rovers - thankfully it has been reliable so far and the only (only...!!) thing which has needed replacement was the exhaust. I had it done at a KwikFit stlye chain over here. Mid section and rear box - €427!!! Heart attack. I am sure that in the UK it would have cost half that, but there you go.
Yes, was an easy "Do it Yourself" fix and at no cost as I had a good replacement available.
Actually, the UNIPART price for both mid and rear exhaust sections in the UK would be much less than that as you anticipated ~ more like £130 which is what my son paid for the mid-rear sections on his Rover 620ti recently.
Road dirt can accumulate in the rear wheel arches and if not washed out regularly, over the years can cause corrosion as the dirt can remain damp and unseen for long periods. My diesel has been well looked after ~ the previous onwer was a female work colleague who had it for eight years and it was in the family since new. The engine feels like new and the car drives well and is reasonably economical, particularly compared to my 620ti which is not really surprising....
Where I live the MG-Rover dealerships stopped trading a few years ago and I now get my MG and Rover parts from the spares counter in my local Ford Main Dealership who handle the XPart stuff locally ......
No problems getting any parts now with the exception of a head gasket set for my 24 year old MG Montego Turbo. Not that it needs doing but, I'd like to get a set just in case. They sometimes turn up on ebay and can be a bargain then. Nearby PARTSCO/UNIPART can supply most Rover/MG stuff ~ UNIPART being the former Rover Group parts outfit.As a keen Rover and MG enthusiast, I visit many car enthusiasts web sites. I'm amazed at the number of Rovers and MGs still in regular use in Mainland Europe. I sometimes help with spares where possible when they cannot easily or inexpensively get parts ~ I supplied a good used Rover 620ti cylinder head assembly for an enthusiast who lives in Tromso, Norway ~ his car lives on and he's delighted.
Let me know if you get stuck for a part ~ I may be able to help.
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