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I'll need an MOT test sometime soon so I've started looking at all the things that might make an MOT tester say something. I put new windscreen wiper blades on it, checked that the lights and the horn worked, jacked it up and attempted to wobble the wheel bearings, steering and suspension linkages and checked nuts and bolts for tightness. The only thing that seemed to be awry was the top end of the front nearside shock absorber, which I could rattle. Right, I'll just take the nut off and add another washer to squeeze the bush down a little more. Not so simple of course. The nut undid a couple of turns and then seized onto the shaft. The shock absorber itself still has some life left so I didn't want to butcher it, so I ended up cutting the nut off carefully to minimise collateral damage. It turned out to be some sort of weird metric fine thread so I don't have a replacement. However, the rubbers were fine - they just needed squashing down a little more. I've ordered some 12mm by 1.5mm and 1.25mm nuts in the hope of finding something to fit.
Anyway, everything else looks OK. Tyres have some tread on, and what's more, it's wearing evenly. Brake pipes don't look corroded or chafed, there's some meat on the brake pads, and the discs seem to be wearing evenly too. I have a new driver's side seat belt to put on because I keep slamming the existing one in the door. I won't swap them over 'til the day of the test because the likelihood is I'll slam the new one in the door too. Also on the day of the test I shall discharge a whole can of brake cleaner over the underside of the engine and gearbox and wipe it with paper towels so it doesn't look too oil-leaky. Oh, and I've tightened the handbrake too.
Anyway, everything else looks OK. Tyres have some tread on, and what's more, it's wearing evenly. Brake pipes don't look corroded or chafed, there's some meat on the brake pads, and the discs seem to be wearing evenly too. I have a new driver's side seat belt to put on because I keep slamming the existing one in the door. I won't swap them over 'til the day of the test because the likelihood is I'll slam the new one in the door too. Also on the day of the test I shall discharge a whole can of brake cleaner over the underside of the engine and gearbox and wipe it with paper towels so it doesn't look too oil-leaky. Oh, and I've tightened the handbrake too.