MOT fail / big service repair bill

[L' Hobo]

I thought ball joints generally failed when the rubber boot split, let grease out and sucked water in. So one joint could fail but the other might be perfect. That said, I guess if the rubber has perished enough to split on one side the other joint rubber might be equally perished.

That is, in my experience, the thinking by changing both.
It's not a hard or expensive job, so why not?

 

[Nanniemate]

Bearings went on front o/s of mine expected both to be done. My usual garage said no need .2 years now seems they were right

 

[L' Hobo]

Bearings went on front o/s of mine expected both to be done. My usual garage said no need .2 years now seems they were right

As said, ball joints are fairly easy to change.

Wheel bearing can be a bigger job, involving presses etc, than ball joints but I am slightly surprised it was the O/S that went, (probably a damaged seal?)

N/S tyre run in a lot more grit, rubbish and water from the kerbside.

 

[Nanniemate]

As said, ball joints are fairly easy to change.

Wheel bearing can be a bigger job, involving presses etc, than ball joints but I am slightly surprised it was the O/S that went, (probably a damaged seal?)

N/S tyre run in a lot more grit, rubbish and water from the kerbside.

She did it in a few hours. I run it in on way home looked agreed with my diagnoses parts ordered back on the road within days
She's been looking after our vehicles for years shame the mot bay is too low to take the van.
Added bonus is you have any bull from her or the team

 

[h8ten]

Hope all goes well regarding family health. Regarding the mechanical stuff then hindsight is a wonderful thing and if you had the time, which you didn't, you could have asked for advice. I tend to tinker around with things but know my limitations, or think I do. Having the repairs all carried out will hopefully give you several more years of use before any more, non-servicing, bills so that is the way I would look at it.

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[tonyidle]

If the one is being changed purely on age related wear and tear as opposed to premature failure I would be doing both as well

The best reason for doing both is that tracking only needs checking once.

 

[RAM]

I am just sharing, it’s not going to change our lives just caught me a bit below the belt

Thursday I had a biopsy which has confirmed I have Cancer

Friday cat curled up and died on the settee

But MIL now home and improving quickly

Hi David. Sorry to hear about your van issues. Re- health, welcome to the Prostate club. Very happy to talk about alternative treatments if you want to. Best of luck.

 

[TheBig1]

track rods and suspension, generally the nearside fail first on right hand drive cars/vans. False economy to repair only one side and can lead to instability with new parts one side and worn the other. It's like when changing wheel bearings, I always change the disks and pads at the same time. They are taken off anyway so only parts price to figure in. A worn bearing can cause the disks to distort anyway. Years ago, would have had disks skimmed but nobody seems to do it anymore

 

[Squeakin]

When I bought my second hand motorhome it needed and exhaust, I was quoted stupid money so I took it to a specialist who bespoke built a stainless steel one with a lifetime guarantee for £750. Maybe an idea.

 

[cranky]

For 3grand, I would have thought you could get a Stainless Steel exhaust system from a S/S specialist.
Mine has no Cat or DPF but only cost £600 about 5yrs ago.

I got mine made in stainless for 600 Also about 5 yr ago. No cat.

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[gus-lopez]

Years ago, would have had disks skimmed but nobody seems to do it anymore

since the demise of asbestos in pads & shoes discs have become a consumable to allow brake pads to work as efficiently as before. Normally second pad change & discs need renewing due to under thickness.

 

[1967bowesj]

DavidG58
Like most funsters we trust garages until that time when you feel they take the Micky.
Spend the money to fix your happy place as you’ll be off travelling again soon!!

 

[Telrose]

Motorhome failed MOT 2 weeks ago, centre prop shaft bearing ?

Booked in for service following week at Mertrux so rang them asked to add to job and get part ordered

Took down, got a call back to say they have found serious issues / work needed

Brake discs and pads, not surprised as noted on this and previous MOT I had told them if they looked bad to change them

Whole exhaust system is hanging off and needs replacing all the brackets have failed

Brake pipes all showing heavy corrosion all need changing which means removing fuel tank

Track rod too much play on one side suggest changing both

Diff oil seal leaking but might as well change while prop shaft off for prop shaft bearing

This is all by phone call, we are away visiting Bevs mum in hospital after having stroke so while he talked I was adding up in my head

I am not good at this bit service was quoted at £500

I guessed £500 to add front discs

Thought maybe £1000 absolute max for exhaust

Brake pipes no idea

Propshaft guessed £200 no idea what that was based on though

So when he said quote was up to £6500 + VAT I nearly got into hospital bed with MIL

So I asked him to give me a bit more breakdown

Turns out exhaust is over £3K for bits brake pipes fairly modest £1200 including fitting

Bev had said how she was looking forward to getting away it was what we needed with mum being poorly

I knew I had just moved sone money around ready for some work in the house and by chance alone had enough to cover this so agreed to go ahead as we wanted it back

I will continue in another post below it’s bringing tears to my eyes just retelling

David my heart goes out to you they are exspencive beasts to maintain and are getting worst pr covid we have just booked ours in for mot /full service and wet cam belt change at fords the chap said £1500 eye watering mate

 

[Silver-Fox]

Back to my gullibility maybe seemed sensible to change both, brake discs are off and it’s virtually only the part price

I took it to be a bit like tyres, change both on same axle even if one still has some life left

Definitely change both discs and pads.
The same as I would change both shocks or springs to keep the vehicle “balanced”

 

[Dinosaur]

I dont trust main dealers just want your money ,we had Bedford midi when we first started motorhoming had fuel issue took it to vauxual dealer they had a look charged me then I took it home , smelt petrol all the time and was still breaking down.Found they had put petrol in drinking water tank which they denied but they drained out.Then I had to get it steam cleaned out on the insurance.As for the running issue I went to breakers got a carburetter got a local garage to fit it job done old carb was full of water.Have stayed with same garage ever since.

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[paddymcc]

Sorry to hear about your prostate David, sounds as if it was caught early thank.

 

[jezport]

You can get a far superior exhaust, fully tig welded guaranteed for life at https://vortexexhaust.com/
I had one on my frankia, it gave me over 10% fuel savings. (real tested by me)
You can book in and they will do it same day, its worth the long trip!

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

…Rob was successfully treated for it in 2022. I know you might not feel like it but do your research with treatment options, Rob had brachytherapy.

Just for info, my Dad also had a successful outcome from the same treatment circa 15+ years ago now. I think his Consultant treated him as a bit of a test subject at the time.

 

[Marauder]

fairly modest £1200 including fitting

.
I have made and fitted brake pipes in the past, it's a simple straightforward job: £1200 sounds ridiculous to me.

If you are keeping the van, get your new pipes made from the non-ferrous piping. I can't remember what it's called, but it never rusts. ( copper alloy, I think )
_

 

[jockaneezer]

.
I have made and fitted brake pipes in the past, it's a simple straightforward job: £1200 sounds ridiculous to me.

If you are keeping the van, get your new pipes made from the non-ferrous piping. I can't remember what it's called, but it never rusts. ( copper alloy, I think )
_

You're probably thinking about "Cunifer" pipe ?

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[L' Hobo]

You're probably thinking about "Cunifer" pipe ?

I've always just asked for the appropriate sized, (there is a couple of so, just check with a Vernier or Mic,) "copper brake pipe please"
Always worked for me?

 

[DavidG58]

Just took a call from Mertrux, hoping they were going to be giving me a positive update

No, still waiting for parts

But, a lorry has just scraped down the side of your MH

Driver admitted it, awaiting a photo

 

[Brendan]

Just took a call from Mertrux, hoping they were going to be giving me a positive update

No, still waiting for parts

But, a lorry has just scraped down the side of your MH

Driver admitted it, awaiting a photo

If it wasn't for bad luck you'd have no luck at all David.

 

[h8ten]

Not so good but at least they have admitted it.

 

[DavidG58]

If it wasn't for bad luck you'd have no luck at all David.

Given the few days I have had I actually found it funny

In a few more days I might share on here an even more bizarre event that I have lived through over the last six months

It’s been a surreal period for me

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[DavidG58]

 

[L' Hobo]

Just took a call from Mertrux, hoping they were going to be giving me a positive update

No, still waiting for parts

But, a lorry has just scraped down the side of your MH

Driver admitted it, awaiting a photo

If it was parked on Mertrux premises, do they not also have a 'duty of care'?

 

[DavidG58]

Shall I start another thread

 

[DavidG58]

If it was parked on Mertrux premises, do they not also have a 'duty of care'?

No idea, driver (customer) has admitted it, these things happen it’s why we buy insurance

 

[L' Hobo]

View attachment 860010View attachment 860011View attachment 860012View attachment 860013View attachment 860014

That's a Scrape??

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