Bangernomics - proactive or reactive repairs?

[anonymous-user]

So, the Alfiat Romeo Tipo is due it's MOT (in fact it needed it two weeks ago but I've not needed it since) and last year the front anti-roll bar drop link bushes were an advisory.
I have the required spares but, due to it being a) Italian and therefore using seven-sided 13.74mm bolts to hold everything together and b) 14 years old so everything on the steering is just one big seized up blob of ferrous crud, should I bother actually replacing them before the MOT or just take a punt and see if it gets through?
Frankly, after an hour of swearing at the utterly stupid layout of the Fiat steering (whereby most of it as to come off to replace a £5 bush) I'm not sure I can face trying to pre-empt an over-enthusiastic MOT tester.
Oh and it's raining now. And dark.

[Balmoral Green]

Bangernomics, by its very nature, is reactive when it comes to repairs. You don't sort owt out in advance, you wait, it may never happen.

[Mave]

It'll probably only take a garage an hour to put the bushes on; I'd put it in for the MoT, if it passes great, if not ask them to fit the bushes for you. Shouldn't have to pay a retest fee if it stays with them...

[anonymous-user]

Hmmm, the concept of waiting appeals (see also: It's dark. It's raining) but........PAYING for a garage to do it?!!!!

[Alfa_75_Steve]

Are you getting knocking or creaking noises from the front suspension? - if not, the drop link bushes are more than likely not worn enough to fail an MOT.

I've not done the job myself on one of these Tipo derived cars, but I've had a couple, and I was sure that drop-links are a really quick job to do - you're not trying to replace the bushes individually are you? - new drop links are only about 13 quid a side as a complete part.

[anonymous-user]

Nope, not trying to do just the bushes. Got the whole link. Just looks like a tt to get to and it's all sodding rusty. But no clonking yet......
bks to it, MOT centre here we come!
(I am gonna do the rear springs though, they really are falling apart)

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 23 October 20:30

[richyb]

Reactive to serious failts but proactive for service parts. I would still regularly change the oil and filters and the pads/fluid every 15k ish. I does depend on how technical you are and if you like a good tinker. I do and I am often down the local scrappy looking for good bits and would change parts if I found good replacements.

[anonymous-user]

Well that's my ethos too Rich, but is an advisory verging on a service item?
I'm reasonbably technical, well, as technical as an apprenticeship in aerospace engineering would allow, but this Fiat thing.... anyone would think it'd been built in a country distracted by wine and beautiful women.
I do change the oil fairly regularly, mind you that implies I take the old oil out first, but the Tipo does that bit for me slowly, over a period of time.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 23 October 20:30

[richyb]

Crossflow Kid said:

Well that's my ethos too Rich, but is an advisory verging on a service item?
I'm reasonbably technical, well, as technical as an apprenticeship in aerospace engineering would allow, but this Fiat thing.... anyone would think it'd been built in a country distracted by wine and beautiful women.

Its a bit of a tough one. I always think "yes, I'll have a bash at it" then a few hours in and a sheared bolt/handful of rush later I wish I'd had left the fker alone. If you've got the parts maybe ring about for a quote on fitting. Yes its banger and not worth much but its your banger and worth as much as you like it!!! To me tinkering is a hobby so I would often be tempted to spend more than the cars worth in sorting it. If only I had a garage I'd be in my element.