XSeries-forum

My X5 has just failed it's MOT on worn ball joint on front nearside and worn ball joint on offside track rod end Garage is going to give me a price to repair on Thursday and re-test. Suppose these cars are quite heavy on the suspension though. Good news was that everything else was OK

Graeme.

Tbh, they are prone to fail unfortunately. But not a huge job and not bad that they were the only issue.

Worth checking the cv boots to see how worn they are coz they are common to fail.


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[quote=""gmc15""]My X5 has just failed it's MOT on worn ball joint on front nearside and worn ball joint on offside track rod end Garage is going to give me a price to repair on Thursday and re-test. Suppose these cars are quite heavy on the suspension though. Good news was that everything else was OK

Graeme.[/quote]
Mine passed at the beginning of the month, but i had an advise on the front nearside ball joint aswell saying it was worn.

Glad everything else was ok,i always dread MOT time.

The car was raised on a ramp with the front wheels on a flat pad. The guy used a remote control to move the pad slightly from side to side so, from underneath the car you could see the stress on each of the suspension components. It was quite obvious that there was movement in the two ball joints, which I probably could not have found before the MOT.

Must admit i was pleased it was flagged up,as you say it wouldnt always be something you would notice.

The advise on mine says slight play in nearside ball joint.

Hope it all gets sorted for you,when it goes in, at not too much cost.

Mine failed today on both CV gaitors and both (?) hand brake disks

[quote=""Waka""]Mine failed today on both CV gaitors and both (?) hand brake disks [/quote]

If your going to do them yourself gimme a shout coz there is an easier way.


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Thanks Pewters, very generous but I've had the work done at my local indy.
He's very good, but my only question is that he showed TWO disks to my wife when she picked up the car.

I was surprised that...
1. the hand brake consisted of two disks and
2. that they would need replacing at all. the car has done 73k but I can't image they get much wear...my days of hand-brake turns are long gone!

I never use my handbrake and had a "notice" on the last MOT on that as well. Not sure what actually wears though as they are not used at all.

Handbrake consists of shoes effectrvely inside a drum.........I suspect I am using the wrong terminology & very mindful the actual rear brakes are discs and not drums. If handbrake not used then muck &/or corrosion build up can cause issues if handbrake pulled to tight or used frequently the cables can stretch.

I have read various interpretation as to correct procedure for adjustment a quick search of internet & various forums will yield variations on the bestr method

......In an ideal world the adjustment can be performed by removing just one wheel nut though ideally a corresponding mark on each rear disc & corresponding caliper (or disc cover) would help ensure correct positioning for access to the adjuster.

I dont know if it's possible to buy a special adjustment tool for the knurled adjusters at the rear. Flat screwdrivers often used but mixed results depending on excact size of the scrwedriver and width of head issues which may compromise access & manouverability.

The biggest problem with most auto vehicles is that the handbrake doesn't get used all the time, and thus it becomes less than 100%, this normally shows up at mot time when they do the rolling road brake test, I try to get into the habbit of using the handbrake as well as "P" mode, just to keep things working.

Totally agree albeit have had issues with adjustment going out on the manual Z3 too.

Not my favourite design & adjustment probably best conducted inside a low light using a very bright led torch. Due to restrcited view some patience is required when illuminating inside the adjustment aperture.

I suspect most experienced at doing these adjustments do so more by feel than sight.

It makes you wonder if the handbrake needs to be part of the MOT test for auto boxes ...

I would say not.............I may be wrong but I believe roll back can still occur on extreme hill starts can still occur if handbrake not used.