Spitfire: The failed MOT
Discussion
So it isn't the most interesting topic ever but some other PHers expressed an interest in the reasons my genuinely adored and generally very well maintained Spitfire failed it's MOT, I thought a movie esq title, some pictures (figure marked as per the Haynes manual) and a little drama may help spice it up so here goes.
So I delivered the Spitfire to my local and trusted garage yesterday morning for it's MOT full of hopes and dreams. However, unfortunately I was presented with not one, not two but three failure sheets! (fig 1.1)
Fig 1.1
In summary it failed on the following:
- Driver and passenger seat insecure
- Seatbelts worn (advisory)
- headlights both adjusted too low
- nearside rear brake no effort
- handbrake little or no effort 18% only
- front nearside brake wearing low (advisory)
- front antiroll bar mount cracked
- front number plate insecure
- negligable rear damping effect both rear shock absorbers
- plus lots more advisories
Now some of these are just silly and completely my fault but others are a little more concerning and need some inspection.
I got it home at 7pm last night (fig 1.2) and by 8pm I had it up in the air, with the rear brakes stripped down and inspected (fig 1.3).
fig 1.2
fig 1.3
1.5 hours in and having determined that the wheel cylinder was not working correctly, I set to work on the front end, removing the front suspension to get at the broken anti roll bar mount, I figure this was caused by my rallying win - I can't see any other way. (fig 1.4) A new braket should be easy to w eld back on...
fig 1.4
4 hours in and even with the help of 'the Wizard' - the worlds strongest computer programer (fig 1.5) the lower wishbone will not come off, some moron has clearly put the bolt in the wrong way round so it cannot be removed without taking off the upright and the engine mount soution - cut the bolt. Lots of swearing and shouting and finally the lower wishbone is free!
fig 1.5
Too dark to take pictures so have to go inside time is 00:04 not bad for an attempt.
Plan for tomorrow I will deliver the wishbone for welding and then get back out there and have a look at the seats etc.
Place an order for the following:
brake pads and shoes kit
wheel cylinders fitting kit
wheel cylinder rear 1500 models
front trunion bush kit
front WISHBONE BUSH - RUBBER
front wishbone securing bolt
front wishbone securing nyloc nut
rear shock absorbers
and now for the DRAMA! Duh duh duh....
Well sort of, the car needs to be presented for it's retest on 21st and in time for the Silverstone classic, will I and the car achieve greatness? Watch this space....
Odds prob at least 5/1 on no I will not.
Spitfire: The failed MOT day 2
Straight back out to the car after work. Make up a bracket for the new wishbone plate in cardboard - thick steel tomorrow. No to work out what is really wrong with the seats etc.
Let's start with the passenger side, all fixed properly to the floor save for a rather manly looking nut and bolt job underneath which has clearly been recently undone - paint is removed, presumably the tester. New bolt and nut fitted to test which appears to solve the problem, none the less I remove both seats to check and tighten everything and re-fit. Some play in the back of the seat still as it only clips one side (thanks BL) considerably better than most I have seen.
Now to look at the seat belts, now really what actually seems wrong with these? (Fig 2.1) honestly tell me you would have thought to replace them?
Fig 2.1
None the less and even though they were advisories let's replace them
with shiny (fig 2.2)
Fig 2.2
Not a bad night's work and car hasn't moved an millimetre on the stands.
Tomorrow to weld the new wishbone bracket on and take delivery of new bits.
Odds on finishing still 5/1. Odds on recieving more abuse - even!
It's 00:05 - bed
Day 3: Enter the villain
So every good story needs a bad guy, whether this is me or NA* depends on your interpretation of the below. For most of you this is likely to be me I expect, oh well - luckily I have a sense of humour!
Fig 3.1
Fig 3.2
I build a new bracket out of some nice thick black rolled steel and weld it on. Looks far better than it did before and certainly appears stronger, nice big welds too! (fig 3.2)
Fig 3.2
I need to shave down the bolt hole a little as my drills are all metric, a rather expensive tool does the trick (fig 3.4) A bit of a grind back and a lick of paint and it's time to fit all the new bushes and put it back on car. This was no easy task but I got it there in the end. (fig 3.5)
Fig 3.4
Fig 3.5
I fit my new trunnion bush while I'm at it which takes some ingenuity and most of my tool box to create a clamping system, worked though and has taken the play out of the trunnion - another advisory sorted.
Bit of penetrating oil on the nuts for rear shocks, that should help tomorrow.
All in all a good nights work! 23:34 now maybe even early to bed! Hands ache alot and I am offiEcially knackered after 3 days under the car.
Plan for tomorrowe is to replace rear shocks with the shiny new ones, perhaps start on rthe rear brakes too.
Odds on finishing I recon maybe even 4:1 odds on me reading new posts below to find further criticsm - even.
Day 4: Shock Horror
I made it in before 10pm tonight and seeing as I have some of my evening left posting will have to wait until I get to work tomorrow!
So last night I stasrted by refitting my front coilover and trunnion (fig 4.1) easy peasey!
Fig 4.1a
Then I get to work on removing the rear shocks - still don't think there is anything wrong with them but for the sake of £30 I may as well do them (fig 4.2) plus the new ones look nice and shiny if nothing else (fig 4.3). If anyone is thinking the new one is too short - you are stupid!
Fig 4.2
Fig 4.3
New shocks are pretty easy to fit really though the old nuts gave me some trouble. Unfortunately there are no new lock nuts with the shocks so the old ones will have to go back on for now! Before the old men comment on this don't worry I will replace them before I drive it! (fig 4.4).
Fig 4.4
And so at 9.35 I call it a night! I am still alive, the car hasn't shifted and the list is far reduced. Odds on finishing maybe even 3:1 now.
Day 5: A rest
Off to Newmarket this evening for racing, plan for tomorrow - sleep off hangover and maybe start on the brakes.
Day 6: The gratuitous sex scene
My girlfriend returns from holiday. Therefore the Spit is ditched in favour of something far more fun! (fig 6.1)
Fig 6.1
YEAH YOU FRICKING WISH!
Day 7: Finishing touches
Spent the morning replacing, renewing and cleansing all the brake components, appear to all be working very well now.
The list is complete other than the headlights! However...
... The bad news is that some bright spark had stripped the thread on the vertical at the rear! Part isn't available and is also incredibly expensive. Won't fail the MOT on it but it isn't safe to drive. Much thought required!
The Day before D-Day
So tomorrow is the re-test and the car is pretty much done save for the rear vertical link which, thankfully, has just arrived in the post. For those of you who were wondering it is the thread on the bottom right that was causing the issue. (fig 8.1)
Fig 8.1
Should with any luck go in without issue and then with a quick adjust of the headlight it is all ready to go tomorrow.
Spitfire: The Failed MOT - D Day!
The car passed with absolute flying colours! (fig 9.1). 57% handbrake effectiveness too! Was told that the work was an excellent standard and that the car was one of the best classics they have seen! V pleased indeed!
She will make it to Silverstone, I hope! (fig 9.2)
Thanks to all of you for following my progress and keeping me sane throughout.
Daz
Fig 9.1
Fig 9.2
So I delivered the Spitfire to my local and trusted garage yesterday morning for it's MOT full of hopes and dreams. However, unfortunately I was presented with not one, not two but three failure sheets! (fig 1.1)
Fig 1.1
In summary it failed on the following:
- Driver and passenger seat insecure
- Seatbelts worn (advisory)
- headlights both adjusted too low
- nearside rear brake no effort
- handbrake little or no effort 18% only
- front nearside brake wearing low (advisory)
- front antiroll bar mount cracked
- front number plate insecure
- negligable rear damping effect both rear shock absorbers
- plus lots more advisories
Now some of these are just silly and completely my fault but others are a little more concerning and need some inspection.
I got it home at 7pm last night (fig 1.2) and by 8pm I had it up in the air, with the rear brakes stripped down and inspected (fig 1.3).
fig 1.2
fig 1.3
1.5 hours in and having determined that the wheel cylinder was not working correctly, I set to work on the front end, removing the front suspension to get at the broken anti roll bar mount, I figure this was caused by my rallying win - I can't see any other way. (fig 1.4) A new braket should be easy to w eld back on...
fig 1.4
4 hours in and even with the help of 'the Wizard' - the worlds strongest computer programer (fig 1.5) the lower wishbone will not come off, some moron has clearly put the bolt in the wrong way round so it cannot be removed without taking off the upright and the engine mount soution - cut the bolt. Lots of swearing and shouting and finally the lower wishbone is free!
fig 1.5
Too dark to take pictures so have to go inside time is 00:04 not bad for an attempt.
Plan for tomorrow I will deliver the wishbone for welding and then get back out there and have a look at the seats etc.
Place an order for the following:
brake pads and shoes kit
wheel cylinders fitting kit
wheel cylinder rear 1500 models
front trunion bush kit
front WISHBONE BUSH - RUBBER
front wishbone securing bolt
front wishbone securing nyloc nut
rear shock absorbers
and now for the DRAMA! Duh duh duh....
Well sort of, the car needs to be presented for it's retest on 21st and in time for the Silverstone classic, will I and the car achieve greatness? Watch this space....
Odds prob at least 5/1 on no I will not.
Edited by DazBock on Tuesday 12th July 17:22
Spitfire: The failed MOT day 2
Straight back out to the car after work. Make up a bracket for the new wishbone plate in cardboard - thick steel tomorrow. No to work out what is really wrong with the seats etc.
Let's start with the passenger side, all fixed properly to the floor save for a rather manly looking nut and bolt job underneath which has clearly been recently undone - paint is removed, presumably the tester. New bolt and nut fitted to test which appears to solve the problem, none the less I remove both seats to check and tighten everything and re-fit. Some play in the back of the seat still as it only clips one side (thanks BL) considerably better than most I have seen.
Now to look at the seat belts, now really what actually seems wrong with these? (Fig 2.1) honestly tell me you would have thought to replace them?
Fig 2.1
None the less and even though they were advisories let's replace them
with shiny (fig 2.2)
Fig 2.2
Not a bad night's work and car hasn't moved an millimetre on the stands.
Tomorrow to weld the new wishbone bracket on and take delivery of new bits.
Odds on finishing still 5/1. Odds on recieving more abuse - even!
It's 00:05 - bed
Edited by DazBock on Tuesday 12th July 23:41
Edited by DazBock on Tuesday 12th July 23:55
Edited by DazBock on Wednesday 13th July 00:05
Day 3: Enter the villain
So every good story needs a bad guy, whether this is me or NA* depends on your interpretation of the below. For most of you this is likely to be me I expect, oh well - luckily I have a sense of humour!
- Obviously I'm joking mate! You know I appreciate your advice! Just trying to have some fun with this.
Fig 3.1
Fig 3.2
I build a new bracket out of some nice thick black rolled steel and weld it on. Looks far better than it did before and certainly appears stronger, nice big welds too! (fig 3.2)
Fig 3.2
I need to shave down the bolt hole a little as my drills are all metric, a rather expensive tool does the trick (fig 3.4) A bit of a grind back and a lick of paint and it's time to fit all the new bushes and put it back on car. This was no easy task but I got it there in the end. (fig 3.5)
Fig 3.4
Fig 3.5
I fit my new trunnion bush while I'm at it which takes some ingenuity and most of my tool box to create a clamping system, worked though and has taken the play out of the trunnion - another advisory sorted.
Bit of penetrating oil on the nuts for rear shocks, that should help tomorrow.
All in all a good nights work! 23:34 now maybe even early to bed! Hands ache alot and I am offiEcially knackered after 3 days under the car.
Plan for tomorrowe is to replace rear shocks with the shiny new ones, perhaps start on rthe rear brakes too.
Odds on finishing I recon maybe even 4:1 odds on me reading new posts below to find further criticsm - even.
Day 4: Shock Horror
I made it in before 10pm tonight and seeing as I have some of my evening left posting will have to wait until I get to work tomorrow!
So last night I stasrted by refitting my front coilover and trunnion (fig 4.1) easy peasey!
Fig 4.1a
Then I get to work on removing the rear shocks - still don't think there is anything wrong with them but for the sake of £30 I may as well do them (fig 4.2) plus the new ones look nice and shiny if nothing else (fig 4.3). If anyone is thinking the new one is too short - you are stupid!
Fig 4.2
Fig 4.3
New shocks are pretty easy to fit really though the old nuts gave me some trouble. Unfortunately there are no new lock nuts with the shocks so the old ones will have to go back on for now! Before the old men comment on this don't worry I will replace them before I drive it! (fig 4.4).
Fig 4.4
And so at 9.35 I call it a night! I am still alive, the car hasn't shifted and the list is far reduced. Odds on finishing maybe even 3:1 now.
Day 5: A rest
Off to Newmarket this evening for racing, plan for tomorrow - sleep off hangover and maybe start on the brakes.
Day 6: The gratuitous sex scene
My girlfriend returns from holiday. Therefore the Spit is ditched in favour of something far more fun! (fig 6.1)
Fig 6.1
YEAH YOU FRICKING WISH!
Day 7: Finishing touches
Spent the morning replacing, renewing and cleansing all the brake components, appear to all be working very well now.
The list is complete other than the headlights! However...
... The bad news is that some bright spark had stripped the thread on the vertical at the rear! Part isn't available and is also incredibly expensive. Won't fail the MOT on it but it isn't safe to drive. Much thought required!
The Day before D-Day
So tomorrow is the re-test and the car is pretty much done save for the rear vertical link which, thankfully, has just arrived in the post. For those of you who were wondering it is the thread on the bottom right that was causing the issue. (fig 8.1)
Fig 8.1
Should with any luck go in without issue and then with a quick adjust of the headlight it is all ready to go tomorrow.
Spitfire: The Failed MOT - D Day!
The car passed with absolute flying colours! (fig 9.1). 57% handbrake effectiveness too! Was told that the work was an excellent standard and that the car was one of the best classics they have seen! V pleased indeed!
She will make it to Silverstone, I hope! (fig 9.2)
Thanks to all of you for following my progress and keeping me sane throughout.
Daz
Fig 9.1
Fig 9.2
Edited by DazBock on Thursday 14th July 00:26
Edited by DazBock on Thursday 14th July 09:17
Edited by DazBock on Thursday 14th July 09:26
Edited by DazBock on Thursday 14th July 09:34
Edited by DazBock on Thursday 14th July 12:41
Edited by DazBock on Thursday 14th July 12:43
Edited by DazBock on Thursday 14th July 22:05
Edited by DazBock on Friday 15th July 10:00
Edited by DazBock on Friday 15th July 10:07
Edited by DazBock on Saturday 16th July 14:14
Edited by DazBock on Sunday 17th July 23:19
Edited by DazBock on Wednesday 20th July 11:45
Edited by DazBock on Thursday 21st July 17:44
Edited by DazBock on Friday 22 July 17:21
Daz you need to get your rear end to an ar*se kicking machine
great that your doing this work (I stopped really reading after seeing the MOT list) but WHY does it take a once 12 monthly test to get you to make your car safer
now you know why I put ASAP before buying the get the owners Handbook and read it thoroughly then when you get the car do a full and proper 36,000 mile service (which would cover all the major fails)
I do blame you because you have been advised and FFS you know if seats and seatbelts are insucure, I hope you've not been carrying innocent passengers
right after all that - please take this advice, don't bodge jobs just to get it through this MOT and bear in mind an MOT is a minimum standard that's passed to one person's opinion at one point of time, it doesn't mean your car is running well or at the best it can or that something wont break minutes later
I didn't have you car down as a fur coat but no knickers job but it is - you've shattered my fragile faith in youngsters
great that your doing this work (I stopped really reading after seeing the MOT list) but WHY does it take a once 12 monthly test to get you to make your car safer
now you know why I put ASAP before buying the get the owners Handbook and read it thoroughly then when you get the car do a full and proper 36,000 mile service (which would cover all the major fails)
I do blame you because you have been advised and FFS you know if seats and seatbelts are insucure, I hope you've not been carrying innocent passengersright after all that - please take this advice, don't bodge jobs just to get it through this MOT and bear in mind an MOT is a minimum standard that's passed to one person's opinion at one point of time, it doesn't mean your car is running well or at the best it can or that something wont break minutes later
I didn't have you car down as a fur coat but no knickers job but it is - you've shattered my fragile faith in youngsters
Edited by na on Tuesday 12th July 20:01
I had similar failure of the anti-rollbar mount on mine.
Just welded it on the car using a thick steel washer to reinforce. Re-drilled the whole and it has been sweet ever since (probably stronger than before. And to look at it it doesn't look anything other than standard.
None of the other failures sound anything more than trivial tweaks.
If I were you I would find a more classic friendly garage. The one and only time I got my Spitty MOTd at the local garage it got a list of minor advisories as long as my arm. Next year getting it done at the usual place - which understands classics - pass first time with no advisories.
Nice car - I will never tire of driving my Spitfire :-)
Just welded it on the car using a thick steel washer to reinforce. Re-drilled the whole and it has been sweet ever since (probably stronger than before. And to look at it it doesn't look anything other than standard.
None of the other failures sound anything more than trivial tweaks.
If I were you I would find a more classic friendly garage. The one and only time I got my Spitty MOTd at the local garage it got a list of minor advisories as long as my arm. Next year getting it done at the usual place - which understands classics - pass first time with no advisories.
Nice car - I will never tire of driving my Spitfire :-)
Spitfire2 said:
I had similar failure of the anti-rollbar mount on mine.
Just welded it on the car using a thick steel washer to reinforce. Re-drilled the whole and it has been sweet ever since (probably stronger than before. And to look at it it doesn't look anything other than standard.
None of the other failures sound anything more than trivial tweaks.
If I were you I would find a more classic friendly garage. The one and only time I got my Spitty MOTd at the local garage it got a list of minor advisories as long as my arm. Next year getting it done at the usual place - which understands classics - pass first time with no advisories.
Nice car - I will never tire of driving my Spitfire :-)
I think you have to be very careful. Just had my E Type MOT'd and I always make the point of telling the examiner that I want it thoroughly tested - just in case I have missed anything. I want to know about all advisories - minor and major as a minor one could lead to a major pretty quickly! Just welded it on the car using a thick steel washer to reinforce. Re-drilled the whole and it has been sweet ever since (probably stronger than before. And to look at it it doesn't look anything other than standard.
None of the other failures sound anything more than trivial tweaks.
If I were you I would find a more classic friendly garage. The one and only time I got my Spitty MOTd at the local garage it got a list of minor advisories as long as my arm. Next year getting it done at the usual place - which understands classics - pass first time with no advisories.
Nice car - I will never tire of driving my Spitfire :-)
na said:
Daz you need to get your rear end to an ar*se kicking machine
great that your doing this work (I stopped really reading after seeing the MOT list) but WHY does it take a once 12 monthly test to get you to make your car safer
now you know why I put ASAP before buying the get the owners Handbook and read it thoroughly then when you get the car do a full and proper 36,000 mile service (which would cover all the major fails)
I do blame you because you have been advised and FFS you know if seats and seatbelts are insucure, I hope you've not been carrying innocent passengers
right after all that - please take this advice, don't bodge jobs just to get it through this MOT and bear in mind an MOT is a minimum standard that's passed to one person's opinion at one point of time, it doesn't mean your car is running well or at the best it can or that something wont break minutes later
I didn't have you car down as a fur coat but no knickers job but it is - you've shattered my fragile faith in youngsters
Harsh but fair...great that your doing this work (I stopped really reading after seeing the MOT list) but WHY does it take a once 12 monthly test to get you to make your car safer
now you know why I put ASAP before buying the get the owners Handbook and read it thoroughly then when you get the car do a full and proper 36,000 mile service (which would cover all the major fails)
I do blame you because you have been advised and FFS you know if seats and seatbelts are insucure, I hope you've not been carrying innocent passengersright after all that - please take this advice, don't bodge jobs just to get it through this MOT and bear in mind an MOT is a minimum standard that's passed to one person's opinion at one point of time, it doesn't mean your car is running well or at the best it can or that something wont break minutes later
I didn't have you car down as a fur coat but no knickers job but it is - you've shattered my fragile faith in youngsters
Edited by na on Tuesday 12th July 20:01
and no doubt you'll learn. Buy the Triumph Repair Operations Manual (not the Haynes one) the Triumph Spitfire Mark V Parts Catalogue, and if you've not already got one a decent torque wrench. Everything you do will be much easier, and much safer, if done to spec. Are you sure those wishbone bolts you cut weren't put in the correct way? After all, someone put them in that way round. Maybe by fitting them to the brackets then fitting the complete assembly to the chassis? Not sure, it's a long time since I rebuilt my GT6, but you should check.
Sorry to sound like Dad.
1954etype said:
I think you have to be very careful. Just had my E Type MOT'd and I always make the point of telling the examiner that I want it thoroughly tested - just in case I have missed anything. I want to know about all advisories - minor and major as a minor one could lead to a major pretty quickly!
Aye that's not what I'm saying at all - and I agree with you, I want a thorough test too and get one. However at local garage the tester just didn't understand the car - most of the advisories were covering his own backside in my opinion. I went through them with a fine tooth comb afterwards and found nothing which caused me concern - I'd add that the car passed first time in that case as (almost) usual.
I would not suggest the usual garage is not thorough - but rather that they understand the cars better. By virtue of its location the place probably has Triumphs of some description in every week.
chard said:
Nice looking car and you seem industrious. But why not fit a new wishbone? Shirley welding it will always leave a weak point (where it has failed once already)
Cheers, it's only a little bracket on the wishbone that has broken and apparently they are prone to doing so. I think some thick steel and a nice big welded washer should do the trick.williamp said:
Apatr from the loose seat, which could be major rust??? The rest should be simple and straighforward. Luckily we still have light nights so you shuld be OK. I'll be at the classic, and I'll look forward to seeing it!
Knew there to be no rust (thankfully) have updated above so turned out to be easy! Thanks for the confidence! See you there!
na said:
Daz you need to get your rear end to an ar*se kicking machine
great that your doing this work (I stopped really reading after seeing the MOT list) but WHY does it take a once 12 monthly test to get you to make your car safer
now you know why I put ASAP before buying the get the owners Handbook and read it thoroughly then when you get the car do a full and proper 36,000 mile service (which would cover all the major fails)
I do blame you because you have been advised and FFS you know if seats and seatbelts are insucure, I hope you've not been carrying innocent passengers
right after all that - please take this advice, don't bodge jobs just to get it through this MOT and bear in mind an MOT is a minimum standard that's passed to one person's opinion at one point of time, it doesn't mean your car is running well or at the best it can or that something wont break minutes later
I didn't have you car down as a fur coat but no knickers job but it is - you've shattered my fragile faith in youngsters
Dear Mr Nigel (and other concerned parent types)great that your doing this work (I stopped really reading after seeing the MOT list) but WHY does it take a once 12 monthly test to get you to make your car safer
now you know why I put ASAP before buying the get the owners Handbook and read it thoroughly then when you get the car do a full and proper 36,000 mile service (which would cover all the major fails)
I do blame you because you have been advised and FFS you know if seats and seatbelts are insucure, I hope you've not been carrying innocent passengersright after all that - please take this advice, don't bodge jobs just to get it through this MOT and bear in mind an MOT is a minimum standard that's passed to one person's opinion at one point of time, it doesn't mean your car is running well or at the best it can or that something wont break minutes later
I didn't have you car down as a fur coat but no knickers job but it is - you've shattered my fragile faith in youngsters
Edited by na on Tuesday 12th July 20:01
I admire your level of concern and passion and I admit that some of these faults are my fault and could have been avoided, however, I think as you can plainly see from both the updated tread and my commitment to getting this right that there is certainly no bodging here. The car is genuinely well looked after and I had checked both the suspension and braking system in the usual manner, they seemed fine to me but I have learnt that perhaps my own checks need to be more thorough in future, that was all part of getting the spit was to learn.
As far as safety goes tell me honestly that you see anything wrong with that belt? That is the worst one too!
So please do not lose you faith in either my much loved car, me or the younger generation in fact please feel the opposite and take away a happy glow from the fact that your comments along with those of Mr MOT man have helped nurture another young man on the way to achieving greatness! In the alternative please consider yourself, Mr MOT man and the Spit to have truly kicked my a*se thus the machine turns a wheel...
I joke but I am serious about all this and I am grateful for your support!
Now for some beer...
Spitfire2 said:
I had similar failure of the anti-rollbar mount on mine.
Just welded it on the car using a thick steel washer to reinforce. Re-drilled the whole and it has been sweet ever since (probably stronger than before. And to look at it it doesn't look anything other than standard.
None of the other failures sound anything more than trivial tweaks.
If I were you I would find a more classic friendly garage. The one and only time I got my Spitty MOTd at the local garage it got a list of minor advisories as long as my arm. Next year getting it done at the usual place - which understands classics - pass first time with no advisories.
Nice car - I will never tire of driving my Spitfire :-)
Yep as I replied above that is precisely the plan. I like the garage and trust them with the car, the guy said to me yesterday that he felt he may be beig unreasonably harsh with some of it but that as it failed on brakes etc anyway he figured it may as well be subject to a nice in depth test. I'm grateful for that, now I can fix it! Just welded it on the car using a thick steel washer to reinforce. Re-drilled the whole and it has been sweet ever since (probably stronger than before. And to look at it it doesn't look anything other than standard.
None of the other failures sound anything more than trivial tweaks.
If I were you I would find a more classic friendly garage. The one and only time I got my Spitty MOTd at the local garage it got a list of minor advisories as long as my arm. Next year getting it done at the usual place - which understands classics - pass first time with no advisories.
Nice car - I will never tire of driving my Spitfire :-)
DazBock said:
...he may be beig unreasonably harsh with some of it but that as it failed on brakes etc anyway he figured it may as well be subject to a nice in depth test.
I think this is often the way - if the car is a definite failure on one item, the tester will have no qualms about listing everything else that is wrong with the car, the driver, the weather, his back etc etcBut this is no bad thing as it warns you of what is likely to go next
Edited by na on Tuesday 12th July 20:01
[/quote]
...and if you've not already got one a decent torque wrench.
Are you sure those wishbone bolts you cut weren't put in the correct way? /quote]
Yep got a torque wrench - love it.
and yes, absolutely certain - http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID005743
williamp said:
Apatr from the loose seat, which could be major rust??? The rest should be simple and straighforward. Luckily we still have light nights so you shuld be OK. I'll be at the classic, and I'll look forward to seeing it!
This was my first thought. There's no rust. How bad can it be? I've had MOT failure notifications on my first B stretching onto 3 pages inc the bad words 'excessive corrosion', 'sills','inner wings', 'floorpans', 'scuttle' etc. I really should have walked away then. Or dropped a match into it.Young Daz,
My disappointment is deeper than usual as you seem to be above a lot of youngsters
my mates strapping young lads were unable between them to change a wheel on a Daewoo Matiz and a mechanic at a nearby garage had to take pity on them
you’ve obviously not been servicing you car properly (or at all) otherwise you’d have picked up almost all of these fails
you’ve been driving your car with bad brakes – did you think all Spits or classics have such bad brakes as yours, did you not test driver other Spits before buying yours to get an overall idea of how they perform
you’ve been driving your car with neither rear dampers working – did you think all Spitfires were really that bad at the back end – did you not test drive . . .
worn seatbelts will probably be chaffing which would be seen when belt is worn
loose seats I’d have thought would have been movement of base and/or backrest this combined with worn seatbelts isn’t a good situation especially for the passenger
I dare to suggest your car wasn’t handling at it’s best too - did you not test drive . . .
By this episode I’d also dare to venture that your car and engine are probably running like a tobacco test Beagle with 3 limps - and you’d certainly not know it
The safety issues need always to be addressed first (no comment on your repair methods as it’s only you that’ll get hurt and I’m sure ‘the Wizard’ would soon sue you if anything happened to his precious digits) but you have and probably still be depriving yourself of the best performance you can get from your car
Get your MOT so that your car at least passes the minimum requirement (judged by one person at that one point in time) then as Yertis says Triumph Repair Operations Manual, forget the Haynes use it as a back up only, also buy and thoroughly read the Drivers Handbook for your car and carry out a full and proper 36,000 mile service – prevention not cure
When you finally, if you ever do (challenge) get your car fully and properly serviced, maintained and repaired it’ll almost seem a different car because of the improvements
And you’ll wished you’d done it all sooner as you’d missed out on all it’s potential for so long – there’s experience and there’s learning the two don’t always follow
Good luck to you – don’t do the work to just pass the MOT or be able to attend one event do the work to make the car better
My disappointment is deeper than usual as you seem to be above a lot of youngsters
my mates strapping young lads were unable between them to change a wheel on a Daewoo Matiz and a mechanic at a nearby garage had to take pity on them
you’ve obviously not been servicing you car properly (or at all) otherwise you’d have picked up almost all of these fails
you’ve been driving your car with bad brakes – did you think all Spits or classics have such bad brakes as yours, did you not test driver other Spits before buying yours to get an overall idea of how they perform
you’ve been driving your car with neither rear dampers working – did you think all Spitfires were really that bad at the back end – did you not test drive . . .
worn seatbelts will probably be chaffing which would be seen when belt is worn
loose seats I’d have thought would have been movement of base and/or backrest this combined with worn seatbelts isn’t a good situation especially for the passenger
I dare to suggest your car wasn’t handling at it’s best too - did you not test drive . . .
By this episode I’d also dare to venture that your car and engine are probably running like a tobacco test Beagle with 3 limps - and you’d certainly not know it
The safety issues need always to be addressed first (no comment on your repair methods as it’s only you that’ll get hurt and I’m sure ‘the Wizard’ would soon sue you if anything happened to his precious digits) but you have and probably still be depriving yourself of the best performance you can get from your car
Get your MOT so that your car at least passes the minimum requirement (judged by one person at that one point in time) then as Yertis says Triumph Repair Operations Manual, forget the Haynes use it as a back up only, also buy and thoroughly read the Drivers Handbook for your car and carry out a full and proper 36,000 mile service – prevention not cure
When you finally, if you ever do (challenge) get your car fully and properly serviced, maintained and repaired it’ll almost seem a different car because of the improvements
And you’ll wished you’d done it all sooner as you’d missed out on all it’s potential for so long – there’s experience and there’s learning the two don’t always follow
Good luck to you – don’t do the work to just pass the MOT or be able to attend one event do the work to make the car better
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff