The Dispatch | Expert | Scudo Hub

Hi all,

Well the poor little old van failed its MOT this morning. Under the "Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects) section was the front right tyre badly worn, now although I knew about the tyres and ordered them last week for Sat just gone, they didn't turn up, so had to take the van to the bloody MOT knowing it would fail and search around for some tyre place to fit 2 new ones to the front (but being the damn bank holiday I had to wait after the mot to get this done, I got quoted over £130 each at some garages finally found budget ones, new (as I do little miles and don't carry heavy loads) at £67 each, fitted

One tyre nearside rear (I didn't notice this when buying the van) was failed for directional (ie fitted around the wrong way lol Grrrr) now swapped with the spare.

The "dim/hard to read odometer never showed on the defects, so thats cool.

Biggest and most expensive (as it would seem, is nearside rear sill excessively corroded) basically hidden by the underseal type coating. Which is fair enough, glad the MOT place is thorough as I failed to notice it. Quotes ranged between £200 and £264 for the cutting out of the rust, new patch welded in and basic smoothing off with no finish paint. Now, it extends about 4 inches from the rear wheel arch to about 12 inches forward, this is just the outer sill, inner is fine. I was getting a bit worried with the money as you do, but a friend came good, I called him as we have spoken about van maintenance being expensive, and gave me a number of an independant engineer whos specialises in vans. Sure enough, quote for the exact same work..... £60 to £80 depending on extent. Lovely

Oh the good news is all the bushes replaced have passed with flying colours, one advisory..steering a bit notchy, still havn't solved it. So all in all not a bad result with a bit of shopping around

(Sorry if you read all this, was a bit long!)

Zippypilot

Hmmm, another problem has reared it's head! not a big worry as the steering is fine to use, however it feels resistant and notchy when first started up. Moving the wheel to full locks a few times frees this problem. It has had a new feed line from the reservoir to the pump (doesn't appear to be any leaks) as the line was leaking over the alternator, which has been replaced. Fluid level is all good.

I am guessing there is either air getting into the system somewhere or a new pumpmay be needed? Anyone had this problem please feel free to let me know your fix/experience.

Gary