Rear rear suspension MOT failure (1 Viewer)

[Gorse Hill]

I'm sure if Geo thinks i am having a dig he'll let me know.

No doubt he will, if he thinks you were

 

[Bobby22]

From the MOT testers manual section 2:4 General

So there is a degree of doubt as to what it is and in VOSAs own words, the doubt should be on the presenters side and a pass issued.

View attachment 146299

Yes PPJ this was quoted on this thread at post #21

 

[pappajohn]

Yes PPJ this was quoted on this thread at post #21

Sorry, haven't read every reply....could be up all night

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[telsdog]

Have just done a bit of Google digging on this subject and found
VOSA/PSP/2167B/FEB11 Feel free to google and read whole piece. It seems that Vosa, now Dvsa, knew of this problem in Feb 2011 and changed the info in the testers manual to raise awareness. So it seems the info in section 2.4 regarding bump stops not being confused with assistors was put there specifically for this very problem. This was added to the testing manual on 01/01/2012. I can't find a copy of the testing manual before this date to see if this is the case and how the wording was changed. Dvsa then wrote the article in Matters of Testing in Oct 2013 on the same subject advising testers to determine whether assistors were fitted, ie TEST TO THE MANUAL.
I hopefully include a screenshot of the relevant page.

 

[Bobby22]

Just had a reply from DVSA....... according to them them the issue is covered in the manual.
If MOT testers read the manual properly, and get up to speed with modern suspention systems, this problem would never arise.
I am of the opinion that the information needed has always been in the manual.

Here is the reply i received from DVSA

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr McKirdy,
Thank you for your email enquiry dated 27th January 2017, concerning the above.

Please see below the response to your enquiry we have received from Vehicle Testing and Roadworthiness Team.


This is addressed in the inspection manual under section 2.4 with a note in the information column that states" A suspension bump stop must not be confused with rubber/synthetic suspension spring assistors."

The inspection manual can be view on line at the GOV.UK web site see link below.
Link Removed


I hope this information has assisted you with your enquiry, but if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Kind Regards
Tina
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maybe MOT testers should practice what they preach, and rather than add to the stress, read the Official Manual properly before adding misleading comments on a forum.
The link is to the manual and it clearly states the facts that should alert any tester to the proper course of action.

 

[vin0114]

Passed a copy of my email from DVSA to the garage tester this morning which he read and said 'its a good job I passed it then'. Its a bloody good job I questioned it then and on here, at DVSA and DVLA otherwise I would have been out of pocket at the offered fitting of new springs by this MOT tester at around £500.00

From their replies DVLA and DVSA are of the opinion that their MOT testers are fully capable of knowing the difference between a bump stop and a suspension assistor. It is plainly the case that several are not and this being the case these particular vehicles will still run the gauntlet when MOT tested and possibly failed as I was and an unknown number before me.

I cannot see this problem ever going away unless UK imported base vehicles have their spring assistors marked as such at all four corners of the compass for visual ease to aid those testers who have difficulty recognising them. Maybe as mentioned earlier these assistors should be documented in the Registration Certificate?

Really not a good outcome for all motorhome owners with these specially suspended and lowered chassis.

Vin

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Bobby22]

@vin0114 If nothing else you have brought it to the attention of many people both on here and in authority. If the problem comes up again we will have the info to hand.

You experience might save many a motorhome owner sleepless nights.

For all that might be interested in downloading the MOT Manual there is a link in my prevoius post #185

 

[1_man_and_his_dob(lo)]

Please let us know the outcome.

So the Doblo got a major clear-out/spring-clean...but when I got to the point when the heaviest items left were an almost-empty CampingGaz bottle and an electric toothbrush I called it a day. The assisters were still touching the leaf springs...just.

I took it in for the MOT and decided not to mention anything. Before the bottom part of the assisters wore away early last year without me realizing they must have been close to the springs for years and it was never brought up during the MOT, so I wasn't going to risk highlighting the issue this time around with the new assisters. However, after following this thread and noting that in the advisory last year the garage referred to the items in question as being worn bump stops I braced myself and prepared for the worst.

(Am I the only person who finds MOTs worse than going to the dentist?)

The van passed.

No mention of the suspension. I'm sure there used to be a small gap between the assisters and the springs, so I then discussed replacing the springs with the mechanic. Apparently I have to order them and they'll fit them. I might go for heavy duty versions and see if it makes a difference gap-wise.

 

[vin0114]

So the Doblo got a major clear-out/spring-clean...but when I got to the point when the heaviest items left were an almost-empty CampingGaz bottle and an electric toothbrush I called it a day. The assisters were still touching the leaf springs...just.

I took it in for the MOT and decided not to mention anything. Before the bottom part of the assisters wore away early last year without me realizing they must have been close to the springs for years and it was never brought up during the MOT, so I wasn't going to risk highlighting the issue this time around with the new assisters. However, after following this thread and noting that in the advisory last year the garage referred to the items in question as being worn bump stops I braced myself and prepared for the worst.

(Am I the only person who finds MOTs worse than going to the dentist?)

The van passed.

No mention of the suspension. I'm sure there used to be a small gap between the assisters and the springs, so I then discussed replacing the springs with the mechanic. Apparently I have to order them and they'll fit them. I might go for heavy duty versions and see if it makes a difference gap-wise.

Thanks for getting back and glad there was no problem with the MOT. One of the guys on another forum after his vehicle was failed had new springs fitted and found that the assisters sat exactly the same i.e filled the space between chassis and leaf spring. He did get his money back and was told to keep the new springs but it should not happen.
Vin

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[sonar]

Old post I know but one worth revisiting.


I have just changed both of mine one was totally battered the other worn on the bottom.

now I have a gap between the spring and the stops of approx 1 inch. 25 mm.

I had thought it may have been an mot fail but it seems it was something that was not mentioned on the mot or the advisors

but replaced anyway.

the front is low and just had new struts put on with the old springs that are in very good condition.

but I can’t find a way of lifting them a little. As the front always look lower than the rear end.

 

[Kozikot]

Old post I know but one worth revisiting.


I have just changed both of mine one was totally battered the other worn on the bottom.

now I have a gap between the spring and the stops of approx 1 inch. 25 mm.

I had thought it may have been an mot fail but it seems it was something that was not mentioned on the mot or the advisors

but replaced anyway.

the front is low and just had new struts put on with the old springs that are in very good condition.

but I can’t find a way of lifting them a little. As the front always look lower than the rear end.

Holy Thread Resurrection Batman !

 

[Kozikot]

Old post I know but one worth revisiting.


I have just changed both of mine one was totally battered the other worn on the bottom.

now I have a gap between the spring and the stops of approx 1 inch. 25 mm.

I had thought it may have been an mot fail but it seems it was something that was not mentioned on the mot or the advisors

but replaced anyway.

the front is low and just had new struts put on with the old springs that are in very good condition.

but I can’t find a way of lifting them a little. As the front always look lower than the rear end.

Front Needs New Springs,25/35mm longer ones would lift it,VGC means the Paint hasn't flaked, don't tell if the springs have compressed due to age, especially with New Struts...

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Vinnys van was sorted. They just asked him to step out of his van and the suspension lifted.

 

[vin0114]

Vinnys van was sorted. They just asked him to step out of his van and the suspension lifted.

Well thanks for that Jim wait till I see you. I'll have you know that I lost 2 stone during the pandemic and I've now managed to get most of it back...with a little bit more!

Hope to see you soon

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Well thanks for that Jim wait till I see you. I'll have you know that I lost 2 stone during the pandemic and I've now managed to get most of it back...with a little bit more!

Hope to see you soon

Yes same here Vinny,it will be nice to see you both as well. I'll stand you a beer.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pappajohn]

https://mattersoftesting.blog.gov.uk/the-knowledge-spring-assisters-and-bump-stops/

On vans, the preferred method is to use a rubber cone, which keeps unladen weight down and allows a low load height. These cones look like oversized rubber bump stops but work in a different way. The centre of the cone is hollow (see Fig. 1) and when the suspension oscillates, the rubber compresses – effectively dampening the spring oscillation. The compression rate is progressive until eventually – at full load – the cone is fully compressed and then acts as a bump stop.

 

[L' Hobo]

I would have thought that any 'bump stop ' would be solid rubber & any 'spring assister' hollow of the aeon design ?
@laneside

If it is on French plates are you allowed to actually fit air suspension yourself ? I only ask as Here you cannot fit anything yourself as it requires any fitting to be done by a 'qualified' person. What that means is someone that can supply the paper needed to add whatever has been installed on to the registration document.

When I fitted my air suspension, although a certificated Heavy Diesel Marine & Plant Engineer, I did get mine signed off by a practicing Coach workshop as I have been retired a number of years. I retain this certificate and this instruction is enclosed in the Dunlop Kit.

 

[Minxy]

the front is low and just had new struts put on with the old springs that are in very good condition.

but I can’t find a way of lifting them a little. As the front always look lower than the rear end.

Virtually all MHs are lower at the front than the rear, even PVCs, we've never had a level one on it's own suspension ever.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[sonar]

https://mattersoftesting.blog.gov.uk/the-knowledge-spring-assisters-and-bump-stops/

Interesting information.

I was thinking maybe the rear springs were either weak needed renewing or an additional spring and new u bolts.
seems it is normal.

mine are about 25 mm above the spring.

 

[sonar]

Front Needs New Springs,25/35mm longer ones would lift it,VGC means the Paint hasn't flaked, don't tell if the springs have compressed due to age, especially with New Struts...

No the paint is still on them and clean. Just the shocks had misting around them and they were changed under the mot advisories .

now there wax oiled so I guess there be in good condition but questionable under mot standards ..