MOT fail - suspension mounting/sill corroded
Discussion
Got this failure in an MOT, don't really understand it - before I pick up the car and the guys try to sell me some repairs does this sound like a big job or just something that needs patching up? They mentioned welding on the phone, is this something on the chassis that is corroded or just bodywork?
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))
Sorry but it's quite an involved job.
You haven't said what car you have but it's probably a monocoque chassis, meaning that the body and the chassis are the same thing.
Your suspensions control arms need removing. I assume you have macpherson struts which are pretty common, so it's just one control arm per side (if both sides need attention).
Metal from your body need cutting back to remove the rot. It's usually quite thin stuff but might be doubled up at the suspension mount areas.
New pieces made out of some sheet steel (unless they exist off the shelf) and welded in.
New rust proofing.
Suspension control arms back on.
Undertake suspension alignment.
Any structural issues near things like suspension mount areas or seatbelt mount areas need fixing properly otherwise it won't pass an MOT if they notice.
All welding has to be continuous for example, not just spot welded.
You haven't said what car you have but it's probably a monocoque chassis, meaning that the body and the chassis are the same thing.
Your suspensions control arms need removing. I assume you have macpherson struts which are pretty common, so it's just one control arm per side (if both sides need attention).
Metal from your body need cutting back to remove the rot. It's usually quite thin stuff but might be doubled up at the suspension mount areas.
New pieces made out of some sheet steel (unless they exist off the shelf) and welded in.
New rust proofing.
Suspension control arms back on.
Undertake suspension alignment.
Any structural issues near things like suspension mount areas or seatbelt mount areas need fixing properly otherwise it won't pass an MOT if they notice.
All welding has to be continuous for example, not just spot welded.
CrutyRammers said:
Stuff like this can rot from the inside out due to condensation, so won't necessarily show until it comes through. Not so common on modern cars though, but older stuff suffered terribly from it.
Interesting, we do tend to get a lot of ice on the outside of the windows and steam on the inside, very occasionally even ice on the inside (!) so maybe that's a factor, will ask.Another point to remember, if one side has gone this year the other is likely soon as well. As with all MOT failures there will be one point in time when they tip from pass to fail, so you don't always get an advice the year before. Unless its got some real meaning to you, rarity or value don't bother find another car.
ARHarh said:
Another point to remember, if one side has gone this year the other is likely soon as well. As with all MOT failures there will be one point in time when they tip from pass to fail, so you don't always get an advice the year before. Unless its got some real meaning to you, rarity or value don't bother find another car.
It has some monetary value to us, we're not just going to ditch a car - what's a ballpark for repair costs?ScotHill said:
what's a ballpark for repair costs?
It's really hard to say without getting under the car with a screwdriver and a hammer to see how extensive it is.What might look like a small area can soon expand to a pretty large area once you start cutting back the rot.
I do all my own work so I'm not very clued up on garage prices but I'd assume about £400. See any less as being a bonus.
montyjohn said:
Sorry but it's quite an involved job.
You haven't said what car you have but it's probably a monocoque chassis, meaning that the body and the chassis are the same thing.
Your suspensions control arms need removing. I assume you have macpherson struts which are pretty common, so it's just one control arm per side (if both sides need attention).
Metal from your body need cutting back to remove the rot. It's usually quite thin stuff but might be doubled up at the suspension mount areas.
New pieces made out of some sheet steel (unless they exist off the shelf) and welded in.
New rust proofing.
Suspension control arms back on.
Undertake suspension alignment.
Any structural issues near things like suspension mount areas or seatbelt mount areas need fixing properly otherwise it won't pass an MOT if they notice.
All welding has to be continuous for example, not just spot welded.
Given its a rear unless it's somthing fancy it won't have rear control armsYou haven't said what car you have but it's probably a monocoque chassis, meaning that the body and the chassis are the same thing.
Your suspensions control arms need removing. I assume you have macpherson struts which are pretty common, so it's just one control arm per side (if both sides need attention).
Metal from your body need cutting back to remove the rot. It's usually quite thin stuff but might be doubled up at the suspension mount areas.
New pieces made out of some sheet steel (unless they exist off the shelf) and welded in.
New rust proofing.
Suspension control arms back on.
Undertake suspension alignment.
Any structural issues near things like suspension mount areas or seatbelt mount areas need fixing properly otherwise it won't pass an MOT if they notice.
All welding has to be continuous for example, not just spot welded.
More likely a heavily rusted rear axle or mounting point
I don't think it's as bad as the description sounds - the guy showed me under the edge of the rear door area where there was some corrosion and movement, and thought it needed a clean up and a plate welded onto it. Will look around for a garage to do it.
Which makes me wonder whether it was logged under the correct clause - or is that still the 'suspension component mounting [i]prescribed area[.i]'?
Which makes me wonder whether it was logged under the correct clause - or is that still the 'suspension component mounting [i]prescribed area[.i]'?
ScotHill said:
I don't think it's as bad as the description sounds - the guy showed me under the edge of the rear door area where there was some corrosion and movement, and thought it needed a clean up and a plate welded onto it. Will look around for a garage to do it.
Which makes me wonder whether it was logged under the correct clause - or is that still the 'suspension component mounting [i]prescribed area[.i]'?
Doesn't sound like the right clause. What car/year do you have?Which makes me wonder whether it was logged under the correct clause - or is that still the 'suspension component mounting [i]prescribed area[.i]'?
Can't think of any suspension systems that have control points mounted near the edge of a rear door.
Doesn't sound like an MOT failure to me. But I'm guessing what car you have and where the rust is.
Upload a picture and it can go through trial by forum.
I'm guessing that this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaKQFguMxJo#t=1m13... shows how the rear suspension connects close to the rear door - if that's the case I'm happy it failed legitimately. If it's just a quick check and patch up I'm not too worried by it, by the time we end up selling the car no-one's going to care about what it failed on this time, and the guy confirmed there was no sign of corrosion anywhere else, Will get the welder to double-check though.
Hard to tell without seeing it (or a good photo), but most likely the rear underside of the sill has rusted through. This would be close would to the suspension attachment point to count as the failure described.
If it's just that, and you're happy with "good enough" to get an MOT, a patch over it would likely suffice.
Have they quoted to sort it?
If it's just that, and you're happy with "good enough" to get an MOT, a patch over it would likely suffice.
Have they quoted to sort it?
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