Technical Corroded axle advisory on mot. I looked. Wish I hadn't. :o/
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Technical Corroded axle advisory on mot. I looked. Wish I hadn't. :o/
I used to get a lot of rust in my eyes, buy some safety glasses, they only cost a few pounds.cool, so new fear unlocked after looking at safety goggles.
You won't be doing any grinding for this task, you'll want to avoid oil and rust getting into your eyes, nothing fatal, just uncomfortable.
sherbsville
Member
thankyou. I really should use some while cutting the connifers and stuff, as that wrecks my eyes, so getting some for this might make me wear em for hedge trimming.
narrator: it wont.
This is what I used https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hammerite-...414713922-B004NMLCGM-&hvexpln=74&gad_source=1
I drove the car up normal Halfords ramps so didn’t take wheels off, all I used to get rid of the grud was a handheld wire brush, I did buy some drill attachments but don’t think I used them, can’t remember now.
The flakey stuff is mostly the factory paint coverings so flaked off like a good sausage roll
Just take your time and it’s quite therapeutic to be honest, I then finished off with rustoleum combi paint, and if you look at my posts it’s still good a year on
I do have a can of Bilt Hamber UB spray which I will use soon just to keep it good, it’s a waxy spray basically
Don't overthink this.
There's no need to get all the rust off; just use a wire brush to remove the flaky bits.
Don't bother with any liquid rust removers or converters; they basically don't work in this application.
Grease, oil, or any wax based non-hardening proprietary product, will be absorbed into the existing rust and that will be sufficient to protect the solid metal underneath.
If you stop moisture or water getting onto the surface of the good metal underneath, the rust won't spread any further.
There's no need to get all the rust off; just use a wire brush to remove the flaky bits.
Don't bother with any liquid rust removers or converters; they basically don't work in this application.
Grease, oil, or any wax based non-hardening proprietary product, will be absorbed into the existing rust and that will be sufficient to protect the solid metal underneath.
If you stop moisture or water getting onto the surface of the good metal underneath, the rust won't spread any further.
I think I would advise any novice not to get under a car on stands without the supervision of someone with experience of doing it safely.
An important lesson for me as a DIY-er was: avoid the temptation to over-meddle. Only do what's necessary, take the time to do it carefully.
You might have enough access if you run a wheel up on a kerb / ramp / boards.
To an experienced DIY mechanic with decent tools I would say it's a good idea to get it up in the air, drop the axle and take the springs out.
To a novice I would say leave the car on the ground and follow jrk's advice, wriggle underneath with a tub of grease and pair of gloves.
There's enough room (just) to do this; I'd suggest putting an old duvet on the ground, both to improve comfort and catch any mess.
Since you can do this with the wheels on the car, a pair of car ramps will improve access (a lot!). Providing you're working on a hard, level surface, this won't put the risk factor beyond what a novice can cope with - providing you chock the other pair of wheels.
The other health and safety comment is that if you've recently used the car, wait until the exhaust has cooled down!
Or park one side of the car just on the curb the other on the road gives you more height
There was an advisory on mine for rear spring corrosion. I took a squint and it was clearly superficial. Some aerosol grease spray later and the MOT Tester has not found the need to mention it on either test since.
What's to mention?
You were advised that there was corrosion on the rear beam which could become a safety issue if left untreated.
You treated it adequately, and the MOT tester could see that you had done that on the subsequent inspections.
+1 for the MOT tester (on all three occasions), and +1 for you for dealing with it.
I have a rule of thumb which is to never take a car for an MOT unless I've addressed any advisories from previous ones.
sherbsville
Member
Thankyou all so much, Idk, the thought of reversing up those ramps terrifies me more than the axle stands tbh. What if I fall off em in the car. I have no one to check what I'm doing as I'm going backwards. It really scares me. I wish my Dad were still alive. I hate having to do all this alone. I'm sorry for all the questions. Everythings hard and scary. I know I sound pathetic. It's only six months, and I've had to do plumbing and all sorts, and now my car. I've bought the axle stands and wotnot now, and opened the box, as couldn't lift it in one go. I have to keep it all, but hopefully as I learn more I might use it all. I was told not to go under with just the jack, so I got a set with stands in it.
I could go up on the kerb, and do one side at a time. I am on a bus route, which is a nightmare. Also a hill. That's why I figured the stands would be a better idea than the road. I will see how much I can reach without the kerb.
Is it safe to only raise one side of the car with the axle stands? Will it hurt the car? That seems safer, right?
I'm gonna look at the ramps in halfords, (when I go complain about em about trying to sell me a used slave cylinder twice), but I can't see me being brave enough to reverse up them.
I'm gonna buy a wire brush set for the drill incase I need em.
I'm gonna get the cheap grease.
Now I think something in a spray would be good for bits I can't get if I go under without raising her. Whats my best bet pls, that wont hurt other areas if I miss? I say that, as there looks like there's plastic pipes maybe?
I want to do the whole axle across too, is that ok? Also, on these pics, idk what any of this is. Is it ok to use the wire brush on all the metal bits, use a spray of something, and put grease on all of it? The thing on the back of the wheel scares me. Is it ok to get grease and oil on everything ever invented under there? Should I avoid anywhere?
The ? and erm also scare me. Can i go near it all with a wire brush?
Thankyou all so much. I'm just scared, and don't wanna mess up. I keep going to ask Dad. It sucks.
If any of you ever need help with allotments, gardening, crochet, or video games, I got you!
I could go up on the kerb, and do one side at a time. I am on a bus route, which is a nightmare. Also a hill. That's why I figured the stands would be a better idea than the road. I will see how much I can reach without the kerb.
Is it safe to only raise one side of the car with the axle stands? Will it hurt the car? That seems safer, right?
I'm gonna look at the ramps in halfords, (when I go complain about em about trying to sell me a used slave cylinder twice), but I can't see me being brave enough to reverse up them.
I'm gonna buy a wire brush set for the drill incase I need em.
I'm gonna get the cheap grease.
Now I think something in a spray would be good for bits I can't get if I go under without raising her. Whats my best bet pls, that wont hurt other areas if I miss? I say that, as there looks like there's plastic pipes maybe?
I want to do the whole axle across too, is that ok? Also, on these pics, idk what any of this is. Is it ok to use the wire brush on all the metal bits, use a spray of something, and put grease on all of it? The thing on the back of the wheel scares me. Is it ok to get grease and oil on everything ever invented under there? Should I avoid anywhere?
The ? and erm also scare me. Can i go near it all with a wire brush?
Thankyou all so much. I'm just scared, and don't wanna mess up. I keep going to ask Dad. It sucks.
If any of you ever need help with allotments, gardening, crochet, or video games, I got you!
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I started my DIY car journey with ramps because I was too worried about going under axle stands. It was nerve wracking, but I could get the car up with my wife or son helping.
I then moved on to axle stands, but found myself stretching out a single arm to avoid going very far under the car.
Nowadays I'm ok with going under axle stands. My main concern is to get from under the car quick if a delivery van or neighbour comes passed. I'm worried about the highly remote chance someone will come into my driveway and knock the car off it's stands with me under it. Thankfully I live on a quiet road!
Just do as much as you can, and let it build slowly.
I then moved on to axle stands, but found myself stretching out a single arm to avoid going very far under the car.
Nowadays I'm ok with going under axle stands. My main concern is to get from under the car quick if a delivery van or neighbour comes passed. I'm worried about the highly remote chance someone will come into my driveway and knock the car off it's stands with me under it. Thankfully I live on a quiet road!
Just do as much as you can, and let it build slowly.
sherbsville
Member
I have now read thru the car lifting guide again. The other day when I read it, it didn't seem too bad, now I have really, really, bad tummy ache from anxiety. So I'm gonna take the lifting kit back to halfords tomorrow. I can always buy another down the line.I think I am allowed a refund.
Also, that's almost all the money for a new sink that I need as I have no kitchen taps now. I have a shower hose connected to an isolation valve, on the new pipes I put in (as EVERYTHING was leaking waaaay worse than Dad and I realised) comes out the front of the cupboard. That's taped to the tap. I have another valve as a handle, and a garden hose connector on the end. It's an amazing piece of engineering. Nay, art.
I know mobile mechanics are a thing, and I wonder how much it'd be for one to teach me how to safely lift my car when I need to do the things I really have to lift her for.
edit: just watched this video and these people are amazing! I still wont do it, but in case it helps anyone...
safely using wheel ramps
Also, that's almost all the money for a new sink that I need as I have no kitchen taps now. I have a shower hose connected to an isolation valve, on the new pipes I put in (as EVERYTHING was leaking waaaay worse than Dad and I realised) comes out the front of the cupboard. That's taped to the tap. I have another valve as a handle, and a garden hose connector on the end. It's an amazing piece of engineering. Nay, art.
I know mobile mechanics are a thing, and I wonder how much it'd be for one to teach me how to safely lift my car when I need to do the things I really have to lift her for.
edit: just watched this video and these people are amazing! I still wont do it, but in case it helps anyone...
safely using wheel ramps
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Do you have a drive, off the road?
Or access to any firm, stable, preferably level ground you could use to work?
I've worked on my car at my workplace when I was living in a flat. Workmates thought it was hilarious of course :/
Do you have any thick solid wood boards or planks?
I have some scaffolding boards I place behind the rear wheels and reverse onto when I just need a little extra room.
I've been getting under cars since I was a teen and it still scares me. And maybe that's for the best - it's a dangerous thing to do, things can and do go wrong and people get hurt.
So you need to be absolutely certain it's safe, and that only comes with experience. Sometimes I'll jack up the car, decide I'm not happy with it and start again. Sometimes the trolley jack doesn't roll smoothly or starts leaning.
The important thing is knowing what to watch for, where to support the car's weight without damaging anything, carefully transferring weight from the jack to the stands.
I would only put the car on stands when necessary, for working on brakes/suspension etc.
Otherwise I would say it's safer to only lift it as much as you need to for access. Driving the wheels up on to something solid would always be my preference.
Or access to any firm, stable, preferably level ground you could use to work?
I've worked on my car at my workplace when I was living in a flat. Workmates thought it was hilarious of course :/
Do you have any thick solid wood boards or planks?
I have some scaffolding boards I place behind the rear wheels and reverse onto when I just need a little extra room.
I've been getting under cars since I was a teen and it still scares me. And maybe that's for the best - it's a dangerous thing to do, things can and do go wrong and people get hurt.
So you need to be absolutely certain it's safe, and that only comes with experience. Sometimes I'll jack up the car, decide I'm not happy with it and start again. Sometimes the trolley jack doesn't roll smoothly or starts leaning.
Yes, it is OK to only lift one side of the car, that won't cause any damage.
The important thing is knowing what to watch for, where to support the car's weight without damaging anything, carefully transferring weight from the jack to the stands.
I would only put the car on stands when necessary, for working on brakes/suspension etc.
Otherwise I would say it's safer to only lift it as much as you need to for access. Driving the wheels up on to something solid would always be my preference.
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1&2 are indeed plastic, connected to the fuel tank. Leave well alone.
3, 4, 5 & 6 no need to wire brush, slap some grease on them.
A B C D E no need to wire brush, slap some grease on them.
? Is the critical part, the spring pan. Wire brush any loose flaky bits, slap it with grease
Erm is the spring, no need to wire brush, slap some grease on them.
The main beam going across the car, no need to wire brush, slap some grease on it.
Love the numbering sequence
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spidermania
Banned
You better not either !
I've followed your thread since it posted. First of all that is 'surface rust', meaning it's not bad at all. Look around your area and find a local yob and give 'em 20 quid to give it brush and spray with some rust oleum paint.
_____________ ↓
sherbsville
Member
yes, I have a drive. I have one random piece of railway sleeper, its not very big, as dad made me boxes for my strawberries from em, and put bits of em under the bench so it was easier for him to get up from it. I can see what random bits of wood dad had at the allotment. I don't think theres anything wide enough there. There is also a corner o' mystery in the garage, that has loads of random bits of wood. I think there's a solid wood kitchen cupboard that might work. I don't think it's thick enough from memory. I might be able to stack something under it.
I swear you are all sooooo lovely. Thankyou. I mean it with all my heart.
Also, thankyou soooooo much for going thru my very professional labelling system, and explaining what not to touch. I do have a real, f it, what's the worst that can happen tendency that needs to be reigned in.
Am I the only one looking at this and thinking a small 2-3" or so lift will do it? Park on the planks/thick plank. Handbrake hard on. Car in gear. Chocks in front and behind front wheels, just for every good & reassuring measure because you're understandably nervous. Reach under with brush and scrub away - paying particular attenion to parts e,r, and m 
. Use spray grease with a nozzle or something like this good ole' product that's been around for donks:
Job will be a good (enough) one.
. Use spray grease with a nozzle or something like this good ole' product that's been around for donks:Job will be a good (enough) one.
sherbsville
Member
That' brilliant, thankyou!Am I the only one looking at this and thinking a small 2-3" or so lift will do it? Park on the planks/thick plank. Handbrake hard on. Car in gear. Chocks in front and behind front wheels, just for every good & reassuring measure because you're understandably nervous. Reach under with brush and scrub away - paying particular attenion to parts e,r, and m
Job will be a good (enough) one.
I'm wondering would it be ok to smear on grease on the easier to reach parts, and spray this on to the harder parts. Is it ok if they mix? Some people are saying this spray, others grease. Grease is cheaper, which is good. I'm thinking of putting used oil on the harder to smear in bits, then grease on top. As I will have the oil anyway when I've done the change. It is ok to mix them?
Also, in the review a guy said avoid brakes. It brings up another question I had. Number 5 hides the brakes, right? Is it ok to put grease on it, the plate side that can be seen, with the bolts, and is it ok if some grease goes in between the plate things? My guts saying avoid inbetween, but the plate bit is ok.
Thankyou.
