MOT advisory - shock bolts

[fullsunian]

Do advisories show on the MOT computer database?

If you have it retested at the same station, the system gives you the option to add the original advisories. Don't know if it does if you go to another test station for retest but I'm guessing it would do.
IAN

[Ray]

Are stainless locking nuts suitable for these applications or are mild steel standard ones better?

[tetleysid]

Check the MOT manual online, if there isn't a fail criteria for locking devises on lower shock absorber mounting bolts then apply for an appeal and watch the MOT man quake in his steel toe caps.......... . I was an MOT tester for 6 years and the last thing you want or need is an appeal against you especially if you gone cowboy

But check the manual first

[fullsunian]

Are stainless locking nuts suitable for these applications or are mild steel standard ones better?

Test wise it don't matter as long as its locked in some way...but stainless is always best surely

[tetleysid]

Mmh! interesting, its been about 5 years since I finished testing and now I live in France so I am subject to the controle technique which is the same but different I DO NOT remember locking devices in connection with lower shock absorber mounts, track rod ends yes but not shock absorbers.
I have looked at the manual online but it says nothing about locking devices as a fail criteria, I would create holy "pooh" if it was me, after all its tough enough without twonks creating problems that don,t exist

[tetleysid]

Are stainless locking nuts suitable for these applications or are mild steel standard ones better?

Test wise it don't matter as long as its locked in some way...but stainless is always best surely

In terms of future ease of dismantling probably, but for tensile strength....... . . . um! not sure.

[tetleysid]

Oops, you got an advisory for locking devise, thats different but still nonsense, what would hapen if your shock absorber detatched...... . . nowt it would just be a bit bouncier as the damping action would be lost, overall not a plus feature towards handling but argueably not life threatening

[Ian Hulley]

OK, had our's off this evening and .... the standard nuts (for a 1989 van) seem to be copper aerotyte self-locking ones.

Ian

[T-3PO]

Do advisories show on the MOT computer database?

If you have it retested at the same station, the system gives you the option to add the original advisories. Don't know if it does if you go to another test station for retest but I'm guessing it would do.
IAN

2 different stations, 2 different towns, I do wonder if the MOT guy at the 2nd station read the failure sheet from the first as it was left in the van??

I've had a very generous offer of 4 replacement nylock nuts so I'll probably just switch them over and leave it at that ... though after reading tetleysid's words it is really tempting to kick up a bit of a stink this time and find out exactly why the bugger advised it as he did.

OK, had our's off this evening and .... the standard nuts (for a 1989 van) seem to be copper aerotyte self-locking ones.

Ian

Out of interest what's aerotyte mean and can they be re-used?

[Ian Hulley]

'Aerotype' or 'Aerotyte' are also called Stover nuts ...



Note the opening at the top is oval, this prevents the nut vibrating loose, as the nylon insert on a nyloc nut does but the nylocs can't be used where heat is an issue.

Ian.

[CycloneMike]

I've had a very generous offer of 4 replacement nylock nuts so I'll probably just switch them over and leave it at that ... though after reading tetleysid's words it is really tempting to kick up a bit of a stink this time and find out exactly why the bugger advised it as he did.

From the manual...
It is considered best practice to advise the presenter of:
- any defects on non-testable items which are found during the inspection proceedure.

As it is commonly agreed that a moving joint such as this can work a bolt/nut loose, is it not best practice for it to be fitted with a locking device. Even if its not part of the test all he is doing is giving you the best professional advice.
If these bolts were to come undone you are going to have an undamped spring with the additional potential to loose the spring all together as the damper also limits the movement of the trailing arm. Result being loss of vehicle control and potential carnage.
Even if it hasn't got that far, if the bolt becomes loose and detachmt of the damper is imminemt then VOSA or the Police would consider this a dangerous defect and would happily prohibit your van.
For the sake of 10mins work and your own safety, I would have thought its probably best to fit the free nuts and forget about it?