MOT question

[Ceptor]

Hi, got a question about MOT's. My car is ready for an MOT but I've noticed a small split in the front suspension ball joint rubber boot. The ball joint is fine and nearly new it's just the boot that's got this cut. Is this an MOT fail or maybe an advise? Should I replace the boot before the test or see what happens?

[Dizzie]

failure if he spots it. take a new boot when you take the car for the test and you may be able to blag it saying  you haven't had the time to fit it before the test. otherwise they might fail it until it's fixed.

it's defiently a fail though. CV boots have to be completely intact.

[Ceptor]

Dizze thanks for the reply. It's not the CV boot though - it's the track control arm ball joint that's got the split. The joint at the outer lower end of the front wishbone.

[Dizzie]

the little rubber ring that the bolt goes through?

[Ceptor]

It's held on with 3 short bolts and the bottom of the wheel bearing housing connects to it and swivels about it for steering. It's got a protective rubber boot but I think I must have split it when I replaced it. It's quite new so I don't want to have to go back in there if I don't need to

[tinman]

split rubber things are usually a fail. he probably will spot it as its one of the things they look for. why else do they spend so long under the car?

[audiquattro]

CV boots, and steering rack boots will fail if split.
Suspension balljoint boots or steering track rod end boots are only an ADVISORY if split.

www.motuk.co.uk

[Ceptor]

Thanks for the link AQ.  That's what I needed to know.

[audiquattro]

No probs.
Can a mod make it a sticky? that MOT website is very useful