Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello,
I've just taken my car in for her MOT (so I can bring her down to the national) and she failed on the front wheel bearings. This is a little worrying as they are brand new ones for the marina conversion.
The instructions clearly state that I should have some free play in the bearings but Mr MOT doesn't seem to think so. Is there anyone out there who has had the same problem? What should I do?!

thanks

Rupert

Yep. Nip them up for the MOT. Slacken them off after...........

Although the MOT station I use now is Moggy friendly and knows about such things.

Cams right Rupert, and you need to find your local realistic MOT place I have sufferred similar problems and only use a couple of places now.

Had a similar problem with a Triumph Dolomite. Even took the workshop manual with me which specifically mentions the front wheel bearings must have some free play. They wouldn't accept this and failed both front wheel bearings. After tightening they passed it. Then I reset to correct.
The following year went to local bus garage where they did car MOT's as well. Left the bearings as they should be and explained to tester (an old experienced bus mechanic) who said that some bus wheel bearings were the same.
Should have made a complaint about previous year.

I was speaking to the chap in our MoT place and he says that very often classics terrify the modern MoT testers as they don't know what to look for and what amount of play/function is allowed. He also said that Halfords had recently advertised for a load of testers (about 20+ I think he said) and NONE applied!!!

He also said that due to high council rates he might have to close down which is a shame as there have been 3 generations of mechanics working there. My granddad used to have his MoTs done by the original owner, and now mine are done by his son or grandson (or both sometimes!).

It's difficult to find a decent garage that's not afraid of classics or vintage cars. Mind you I have found another one that is classic (and vintage) friendly, but it's 21 miles away. I think it's worth the travel though and I will use them if mine shuts down........

I was quite impressed by our local AA center, although who's to say that all the testers around the country have the same knowledge. They were aware of things like the sill cover plates just being cosmetic etc.

It's difficult to find a decent garage that's not afraid of classics or vintage cars

The one that we take the james and browne to is interesting....

We drive it there
random people have a poke and ask what it is
the tester asks if its ok, we say yes and get a ticket