I need some help on a few issues that have come up in a vehicle inspection today.



My 2002 MCS 6-speed has failed an inspection on the following:



Left hand front wheel bearing worn/noisy



Steering rack leaking from the top where it connects to the steering shaft



Left hand and right hand front lower control arm bushings (rear) worn





Can you folks help me with these issues? I do most of my own servicing, my other car is a Land Rover Defender that needs a lot of upkeep, so I’ve done wheel bearing and bushes before. The steering rack issue has me stumped though, anyone ever had to replace that upper seal?

 

Are you sure the rack upper seal is actually leaking and it's not getting wet from above?

A bad PS reservoir cap leaking, or a cracked reservoir could be dripping on the shaft......bad hose could be a possibility as well

I would clean everything and make sure it's all dry and then drive the car to see where it's getting wet first. Some engine cleaner from your local auto parts store and your garden hose will work here

Bryan

 

Left front wheel bearing: if it’s noisy it should be replaced.

Steering rack leak: probably from the hoses that connect to it from above.
These always start leaking after a while.
Try changing the lower clamps, cleaning it up and see if it recurs.
If so, you might need to replace the hoses if it’s bad.
If just weeping a bit then just clean it up shortly before inspection.
Less likely, it could be from elsewhere thereabouts.


Lower back front control arm bushings: The OEM ones don’t last very long.
Replace them with Powerflex ones and you’ll probably never have to replace them again.

 

YOWZA!

NZ is attentive to the smallest of details, eh?

Reminds me of the UK MOT about how strict they adhere to close eyeballing.

Where I live in the somewhat rural south, we don't have to get inspections and I haven't had one in dogs years.

I second what Bryan suggested about thoroughly cleaning everything around the power servo and then tracing any leak, it could be something as simple as a bad clamp or something like that.

I'd reckon there's no way around the wheel bearing --- fortunately they're affordable and easy to do, they come as a hub assembly and it's a simple swap out.

The lower control arm bushes are notorious for premature failure and it's wise to upgrade to Powerflex urethane.
Many threads on that particular topic,
type this into the googles and
much reading to be found:

LCA bushing r53 site:northamericanmotoring.com

:

Best of luck with everything and keep the faith!

...by the way,
I must mention that amongst the many many great NZ bands,
Tall Dwarfs has always been my favorite.

 

I’ve seen thevrear control arm bushes cut out without dropping the subframe. Is that recommended?

 

I need some help on a few issues that have come up in a vehicle inspection today
My 2002 MCS 6-speed has failed an inspection on the following:

Left hand front wheel bearing worn/noisy
- Ease fix just get a new one and replace it, if you are going to do it your self you can order from ECStuning as the have OEM and Oem spec'ed replacements that cost far less and are just as good.

Steering rack leaking from the top where it connects to the steering shaft
-Highly unlikely as stated above by another forum member, BUT the lines are known to leak, Again ECS has a kit for this replace them and clean everything down with brake cleaner. I have to replace mine about every two years

Left hand and right hand front lower control arm bushings (rear) worn
- Again a super common repair replace with the Powerflex units and you will never have to do it again and the ride and handling will be better.

I am shocked your state inspection looks at those thing, are you in one of those states that you have to take it to a shop to have it inspected? I wonder if those shops are just looking to make some money on repairs.

 

New Zealand...it’s a nightmare.

 

I've heard that it can be rather rough due to some wacky bureaucratic machinations.

I smoke briar pipes and frequent a few forums for such hobbyists and the NZ guys have got it rough as far as acquiring pipe tobacco goes because of heavy-handed regulations and a confiscatory tax scheme, with prices being even higher than Oz which is saying a lot because it is tremendously expensive there. Some of the guys order from the States but can only order very small quantities as the NZ customs agents are as keen-eyed as the automotive inspectors apparently because they often flag "contraband" and then demand mega-high duties.

More kiwirock...

...absolutely love this happy track!


KEEP THE FAITH!

 

I bought a mini-specific LCA bushing remover/installer tool from the US on Amazon. I’m hoping this will allow me to swap out the bushings without dropping the subframe. I’m a bit time poor.

 

I can confirm that the power steering rack is NOT leaking from the seal at the shaft input. It must be a hose leak, I’ll try to find it tonight.

 

yeah well we have to save the planet; no?

 

They threw the One Ring into Mount Doom, what more do you want?