MOT fail on rear axle play?

[Ilikemice]

Apparently my rear axles have too much in/out play. The tester explained how the cone bearings are shimmed in such a way and the bearings have gone.

I'm pretty sure there are no cone bearings here. Each axle has .090 of play, and it sounds more like it's a matter of opinion of how much play there is to pass/fail.

The play is determined by the c-clips inside the diff, and it's funny that both sides have the same play.

Find a new test centre or start buying bits?

 

[IAmTodd]

I've heard a worn limited slip will cause play. Bad bearings won't cause in/out play. Mine has it terrible right now with 160k on the limited slip.

 

[Anime]

Some diffs have o-rings between the c-clip and the shaft end, these take up that tiny bit of slack and prevent that little bit of play. Not all axles have them though.

You could probably just get the o-rings and install them instead of taking it all apart.


http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2466411#post2466411

 

[chrisquelch]

rear play

hi
it shouldnt have failed on that play they all have it . i would ask for a second opinion from a different test station .

 

[Ilikemice]

Cheers Chris. I appreciate that the .090 (Just under 3mm) play could be too much (if there are pass/fail limits) but research on the net suggests it's not too bad. I did use a different MOT centre, my usual one has been good to me but their tester was ill

They told me I had odd headlights because one said "LH" and the other "RH". I pointed out that maybe that's because they're marked for the side of the car they're on...

The rest of the fails were fair enough (ball joints, drop links), but the axle thing annoyed me! I'll get a second opinion on it.

 

[janolsson]

Only 3mm of play you lucky boy!!
I'm sure mine is worse than that. Further to that have you got front end clunking to substantiate the ball joints and drop links?? or at least uneven tyre wear (inside edge) for the ball joints?
Sounds to me that they are looking for work

 

[Ilikemice]

I have the usual ball joint popping occasionally so that sounds fair enough. Time to order two upper arms. What fun!

 

[Stenasev]

They told me I had odd headlights because one said "LH" and the other "RH". I pointed out that maybe that's because they're marked for the side of the car they're on...

On that alone I would run and never go back!!

In the past I have often changed MOT centres if I think a decision is wrong.

One car I took to three MOT stations within about 10 days. They all failed it on different things. I fixed the cheapest fault and took it back to the garage that failed it on that item!!

Back on topic... Rear bearings on mine were an advisory three MOT's ago but not been mentioned on the last two... If I was you I would just repair what you know needs doing and take it somewhere else.

SS

 

[Ilikemice]

Cheers everyone, I'll get the stuff I know to be wrong out of the way then take it to my usual place!

I remember one place failed an MOT on my Blazer with several advisories, then when I took it back it passed with no advisories