Technical help!! :( mot fail

[cluelessbarbie]

Hi guys am new 2 all this, iv got a punto active 2003.
yesterday if failed its mot. as u can tell by the name im a felmale who hasnt got a clue when it comes to car.. it failed on =

Off side and nearside rear floor seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded

offside and nearside lower front suspension arm fubber bushes are deteriorated resuting in excessive movement

offside front brake hose excessively damaged **dangerous**

Nearside front brake hose twisted found during stearing lock to lock check

and lastly nearside front front position lamp (s) not working..

so I gather I need welding done on the floor n possibley 2 new wishbones because it will be cheaper to replace the whole wishbone rather than just the bush in the long run and a brake hose n a bulb or 2???? I serious need some advice! Im clueless with cars iv took it to 2 garages for quotes on all the jobs doing at once, both garages wanted to see the seatbelt hole bits but are both ring me back on monday with prices.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT????? SOS

 

[s and b]

you are spot on in what you are doing
the balljoints are integral to the arms so because they have excessive movement you need new arms
its possible your cars had a clutch and fitter ruined the rubber covers thus causing water ingress into the baljoints over time
with regards the welding its usually the rear floor pans where you put your feet that split and rot out
it really does need close assessement or garage might ring up looking for more money so you need a fixed price before giving go ahead (its a common rot problem by the way and is a good reason to use this forum to anyone new looking in to ask for guidance on pre purchase learning points)
quality arms from local factors are £44 each approx made by fai,mose ebay ones wont last the course if you are keeping the car beyond the next mot
brake hoses going id down to old age wrong wheels or sloppy refit by someone who has replaced components in the past

your bill is going to be rather large you know

i take it you are getting at least one quote off an independant (one man band) car repairer been there yonks good reputation no reason to rob anyone because hes always as busy as he wants to be?
watch out for bodgers who work in puddles mind

 

[Ziggy122]

Right - the ROT
Your right - its a welding job, the MOT station should have highlighted the rotten area with a yellow chalk/clay square

But its worthwhile getting the rest check - Hit it all in 1 tbh
Make sure the fixer puts a decent coat of underseal on - Waxyoyl - Bitumen etc

-----

Bush's, they are part of the wishbones, they are not replacable on there own as far as i am aware

But because it houses the bottom ball joint - its better as you have already said to just change the ball joints

It'd would again be killing 2 birds with 1 stone

This is what the Wishbones look like btw
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-PUNT...Car+Make:Fiat|Model:Punto&hash=item5addcdc7db

at the bottom of the arm - i am assuming its those that have failed

----------------

The brake hoses thing.... i have a very very bad feeling you've had flexi pipes or suspension work done in the past
The mechanic HASN't changed the little bracket over for the brake hoses

As a result! I am assuming when he says front brake pipes - he means the flexi hoses - which are damaged because its rubbed on a wheel exposing the pipes inner cords

THIS IS DANGEROUS
i have had mine blow out when i was 80mph down hill towards red lights
The brakes worked - then BANG - lost 50% of the braking power
Luckily the braking system will ensure that you have 50% braking power for a few preses to get to a safe stop

DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE!

The Twist - is what called pigtailed. They refitted the pipe with a twist in it

Luckily your MOT man has been picky and is Saving your life
This is HOW The brake SHOULD LOOK

The pipe goes Up and then down on a vertical scale

In this thread here - a few posts down is another member who's brake hoses run horrizontally - which causes it to rub on the wheel

So make sure you nag and make sure its done correctly - dont pay if its wrong

-------------------

Position lamps = Sidelights
The little Halfords 501 (or W5w its also known as)
has probably just popped, 2.99 from halfords
But since the Nearside is a bitch for space to work in..... It might be worthwhile letting halfrauds do it - or letting the mechanic do it for you

Hope this information helps you

Ziggy

 

[gijohn2]

Also, parts might be cheaper if you buy them your self and just lay for labour, if you get the partsfrom EEurocarparts use LASTCHANCE30 for %30 everything providing it isn't already reduced or in a existing offer

 

[cluelessbarbie]

Yes ino both the garages well and have had friends and family including my self use the garages.. so is my car wofth fixing? And how much ruffly should I expect my bill to be?? (Cant watch face) ..
Iv got 2 weeks with the test centre I used to get a free retest

 

[cluelessbarbie]

I have thought about buying my parts seperate and then paying just from ghe labour but ino sum garages can be funny abkut doing that.. thanks guys though am grateful for all your advice!!!

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Off side and nearside rear floor seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded

Any time a garage suggests something is 'Excessively corroded its always worth asking them to show you, on a 2003 punto I wouldn't expect this area to be that bad without more serious rust elsewhere.

offside and nearside lower front suspension arm fubber bushes are deteriorated resuting in excessive movement

a couple of suspension arms are not overly expensive and probably well due on your age of car

offside front brake hose excessively damaged **dangerous**

Nearside front brake hose twisted found during stearing lock to lock check

I would have a new pair of front brake hoses fitted fairly inexpensive and at least it will be 'right' once its done. also the twisted hose may be not far behind the damaged hose in terms of wear.

and lastly nearside front front position lamp (s) not working..

£1 bulb from local car shop which you can easily change your self

What surprises me is the suggestion of welding so worth digging deeper in this area if the metal isn't weakened by the rust then a clean up and a splash of paint may be all it needs

 

[Ziggy122]

Right - im using Eurocarparts as a guide price system here
They can sometimes be a little expensive
your local garage - should be able to give you a price quote anyway

Right
By sounds of it
You need 1 new flexi hose
Pagid Flexi Hose - £17.95 (now thats expensive.... i think i paid £10 is from local factors)

Wishbones - Ebay ones £50ish for both
Eurocarparts - £50 ea for OCAP branded ones
As SandB has said, his was for a decent branded product from there parts comapny

The bulb is 2.99 from halfords

Brake work will need some brake fluid - Max £5 as they have it in bulk as a garage

Welding is subject to requirement
Is it a big weld - is it a small patch, without seeing the rot its not 100% accurate to get a quote

So in parts - i'd be looking at
2.99+£50+£50(wishones)+Flexi 17.99+Brake fluid MAX £5

£120ish, HOWEVER your garage will get there parts most likely a hella lot cheaper!!
Thats also not including any welding work or labour

Get down there and ask for a quote

Ziggy

 

[cluelessbarbie]

What would a girl do without all u lot! Thanks ziggy bothe garages are ringin me monday so fingers crossed till then I suppose n il be sitting on eggshells when they ring

 

[Ziggy122]

What would a girl do without all u lot! Thanks ziggy bothe garages are ringin me monday so fingers crossed till then I suppose n il be sitting on eggshells when they ring

I would seriously consider taking somebody with you as well if you dont like going

Ziggy

 

[cluelessbarbie]

Ow yeah deffo goin to

 

[s and b]

Any time a garage suggests something is 'Excessively corroded its always worth asking them to show you, on a 2003 punto I wouldn't expect this area to be that bad without more serious rust elsewhere.

these 53 platers are weird
they can have rust in these floopans and honestly be mint everywhere else
a 55 plater usually has a front subframe with severe corrosion to the point it necessitates replacement yet floorpans will be mint

it can depend on where car comes from of course too ie cars from east coast north seem to be worst in underbody conditions

it all comes down to maintainance by a local garage that cares to go the extra mile at service time rather than a checkbox list with a price at the bottom for works done