MOT Advice how serious is it?

[TeamAlfa]

Hi Folks, just had an MOT and need a retest due to the lights pointing too low possibly due to the fact we changed side bulbs and repositioned the self aligning unit at the wrong angle, i have given my mechanic access to the threads on headlight alignment so hope he will get it resolved we have 10 working days to get it back. Also had some advice from the MOT stating there is a "pin hole in the n/s CV boot, something to do with the steering, is this a big job anyone else had this happen, i have 73k miles on the clock. Thanks for any advice and if i dont reply its because i am in Scotland for a long weekend! ps not driving up.....

If its only a pinhole then you might get away with using a flexible glue like 'vinyl weld' to patch it up. You then have to keep an eye on it as it will only last for so long.

Changing a CV boot is quite costly, so i'd try and make it last until it really is knackered.

AlfaLincs

[niallmoran]

are the headlights xenon? If so the motors won't be properly pushed into the adjuster mechanism - there's a bit of a knack to it....i'll see if i can find the old thread with the instructions....

The tester gives an advisory on a fault which is not dangerous but will need attention soon. A hole in the CV gaiter will eventually cause the CV joint to lose its grease leading to failure of the joint.The point when it starts to lose grease is when its really nackered not just a pin hole. So, best to get it looked at before it causes a problem.

Its important to get the advisorys attended to because it stays on the vehicle record at Swansea. If then, an advised faulty part of your car fails and causes a serious accident, your neglect is there for all to see leaving you liable to prosecution.

[zulu ferret]

Go for a 'sticky boot' repair kit mate.: Tried doing a repair with various adhesives, no joy, too much grease about, even after fastidious cleaning with various solvents, cotton buds, airline, etc; waste of time IMO. Those boot kits are the answer for me, anyway.:

[zulu ferret]

Hello, AF: Long time no speak?:

[Avocet]

If it helps, my old 164 has had a "pinhole" in one of its CV joint gaiters for the last three years! It really depends where it is. If it's on a bit that flexes a lot as the car steers, it might not last more than another few thousand miles. If it's in one of the flatter parts of the gaiter, it could last a great many thousand miles. I've never had much joy with the stick-on gaiter kits to be honest. I prefer the new "stretchy" ones that can be pulled right over the joint without removing it. If you're going to keep the car though, you're probably best going for a genuine part - I doubt any of the aftermarket ones will last another 70,000 miles!

[zulu ferret]

Of course my opinion of the 'sticky boots' as a replacement has been based on the excellent results I have had, using them, over a five year period. I rate them, but each to their own, as always.:

[alfatara]

Originally Posted by AlfaLincs

If its only a pinhole then you might get away with using a flexible glue like 'vinyl weld' to patch it up. You then have to keep an eye on it as it will only last for so long.

Changing a CV boot is quite costly, so i'd try and make it last until it really is knackered.

AlfaLincs

How much is costly?

[gazza82]

If it's really small, clean the boot up and stick a bike patch over the hole. Did that for two years to get it through the mot and recently replaced the boot with one of those repair jobs Zulu suggested when the hole got bigger.

To replace the boot properly, you have to remove the complete drive shaft. The issue will be the hub hut as it has to be torqued very high and them turned through a set number of degrees. (Beyond my tool kit!) You are probably looking at 2-3 hours labour and a few quid for the new boot. More if the CV joint has dried out and is worn.

The "sticky" boot was about £15 but took me less than an hour to fit, although the clamp ring that came with it was next to useless and wouldn't tighten enough. It fell off twice so I got a proper Alfa one from the local dealers and fitted that (which meant I also had to by the tool to fit it!).

Originally Posted by alfafamily

The tester gives an advisory on a fault which is not dangerous but will need attention soon. A hole in the CV gaiter will eventually cause the CV joint to lose its grease leading to failure of the joint.The point when it starts to lose grease is when its really nackered not just a pin hole. So, best to get it looked at before it causes a problem.

Its important to get the advisorys attended to because it stays on the vehicle record at Swansea. If then, an advised faulty part of your car fails and causes a serious accident, your neglect is there for all to see leaving you liable to prosecution.

Thats interesting. I didn't know that.

One thing that got me though, was in 2005 when I had an MOT done on my Mondeo one of the advisory's was that the front discs were warped and would need changing.

I took it back to the same test station exactly one year later (without having had them changed) and it wasn't pointed out as an advisory. Weird.

I think they make the advisorys up so you book it in to have it done.

[TeamAlfa]

folks thanks for the information I will read through and come back with any questions, looks good so far! cheers

[TeamAlfa]

OK quick update she's through the MOT lights fixed, think they didn't put the self - leveling unit in place correctly after changing the side lights. I pick her up tomorrow am. Hopefully the CV joint was mended (glued) as well. I hate MOT time! but now can relax and enjoy 166 motoring....