Every car failing every other WOF

Forums › Off topic › Every car failing every other WOF

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

1068 posts

Uber Geek

Reply # 591605 7-Mar-2012 11:17
IlDuce: scuwp: You don't say what year/model car? That said the manufacturers specifications from memory allowed a certain amount of play up and down but nil sideways. Late 80s, early 90s, late 90s. They are failing on up and down play, by using pinch bar between wheel and bottom of ball joint, giving it big push until it moves a matter of millimetres. Yep, definitely had some issues around that era, and any movement under that test will be an automatic fail. IMO get the manufacturers spec's for the car, if it shows some play up and down is permitted, then talk to the inspector, he has no choice but to accept manufacturers specs. I doubt it will make any difference if you take it somewhere else, as soon as they feel that play, then its failed. If you do manage to get them to accept it, then go armed with the spec's for future. Artificial intelligence is no match, for natural stupidity!

keewee01

IT Professional
1218 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

Reply # 591606 7-Mar-2012 11:17
shrub: VTNZ are fair as they only fail on warrant issues. Local garages fail on we things that are not warrant problems like CV boots. Just so they can get some work. For example I apparently I had split brake lines now the brakes would not work if I did and they quoted me $350 to fix I went a purchased new ones for $40 and spent 30 mins swapping them out and bleeding them in and took the old ones in to find out where the split was. They gave me my money back I paid for the warrant and put a sticker on my windscreen. One VTNZ is not like the other... We have two VTNZ's locally and one has a reputation of being easy to get a WOF from, and the other as being tougher. I go to the one with the tougher reputation and everyone tells me I should go to the other. The real point here is that there is a set of standards EVERYONE should be working to in a consistent manner - but this is far from the truth. I know of a Lower Hutt garage that were failing people on bogus things. Took my business else where and saved myself a fortunate. Problem is finding a good, honest garage to start with!

IlDuce

768 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 591607 7-Mar-2012 11:18
itxtme: Agreed, take it to an VTNZ VTNZ gave my new (2012) motorbike a VIN with the speedo and tachometer cables back to front (so speedo was revving and tachometer measuring speed!), and with headlight beam on level ground on driveway pointing a gutter on neighbours house. Check sheet says stopped in 3 metres at 50km/h... how would they know that? So that inspires a lot of confidence.

Klipspringer

1277 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

Reply # 591612 7-Mar-2012 11:28
IlDuce: shrub: Local garages fail on we things that are not warrant problems like CV boots. I've also numerous WOFs failed on CV boots, which I'm now told are not a WOF issue? This is true. I know for a fact that my CV boots need to be replaced. The mechanic picked it up when my car had its last service. I take my car to VTNZ, and its never failed a WOF. Offense can never be given, only taken ...

lxsw20

424 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

Reply # 591616 7-Mar-2012 11:34
Depends which boot, if it's the outer one then they fail it because it can spill grease onto the brake disk. Same as they will fail you on a dud fan belt, if that fails in a lot of cases you will loose power steering. BTW are you putting genuine or aftermarket ball joints in when they fail? Trailing arm bushes are pretty good at crapping them self on the Integra/Civics. I stopped putting after market ones in when they would fail with in the 6 month wof cycle.

SaltyNZ

2089 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 591619 7-Mar-2012 11:37
IlDuce: I've also numerous WOFs failed on split CV boots, which I'm now told are not even a WOF issue? Mine was failed on CV boots by VTNZ. To be fair though, a different VTNZ had warned me at the previous warrant that they would be failed at the next one. iPad + iPhone 4S + 2degrees 3G data 4tw! These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

stevenz

1965 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

Reply # 591687 7-Mar-2012 12:58
I've also seen VTNZ drill holes in structural parts of a fairly narrow motorbike subframe to put a VIN badge onto because there was some issue with the original one. Failing a WOF because of CV boot issues sounds like a money grab, depends on the model though I guess. The joints themselves have to be pretty bad before they'll fail a WOF too (as I've discovered). "You are" = "You're" - Not "Your". "They are" = "They're" - Not "Their" or "There". You probably mean "lose" not "loose". There's no such word as "Alot". On the internet, wasting time, since '89.

jaymz

822 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 591767 7-Mar-2012 14:26
If i was you dude, i would simply ask the garage why you need to replace them so often. There may be a perfectly reasonable explaination for it that they can provide. Remember, not everyone is out to rip you off! Also I found a list of checks that a WOF involves: EXTERNAL INSPECTION Direction indicators - Front Forward facing position lamps Headlamps Front & rear foglamps Directional indicator lamps -rear Stop lamps High stop lamp Registration lamp Rear reflectors Other lamps Windscreen Other glazing Doors & hinged panels Mudguards External Projections Structure (panels/doors, pillars Dimensions INTERNAL INSPECTION Wipers Washers Rear view mirror Sun Vissors Seatbelts Seatbelt Anchorages Seats and seat anchorages Head restraints Interior impact Air bag self check ABS self check Audible warning device Spare wheel security Space saver spare tyre (labelled ) CHASSIS UNDERBODY Wheels, hubs, axles Steering mechanism Suspension mechanism Fuel tank and fuel lines Cable linkage Brake controls Lines & hoses Exhaust system & visible smoke Tyre condition Tyre tread depth Towing connections Structure/corrosion (chassis/floor pan ) Service brake reading Service brake performance Service brake Balance Park brake reading Park brake performance Speedometer UNDER BONNET Modified Vehicle Chassis/Vin number Structure/corrosion (firewall/inner guards ) Engine & drive train Fuel system All vehicles must meet the "In Service " requirements as set out by Land Transpost in the VIRM ( Vehicle Inspection Resource Manual )

alienwithin

109 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 591822 7-Mar-2012 15:44
the problem exists that some garages, as we know of one local one, when work is low they will fail cars on warrants to get the work to "fix" it. much easier to not even bother with garages because of that.

SeanF

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 591835 7-Mar-2012 16:15
With regard to the OP about the ball joints, most cars have shims inside the joints so as the "ball" part wears you pull apart the joint and change the shim as they start to loosen. It will eventually get to a point where the shim will not take up the play so you buy a whole new joint and put that in. Might pay to check if it is the case for yours as it would mean a 15 minute (no parts req) fix.

clevedon

607 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 592101 8-Mar-2012 07:27
SeanF: With regard to the OP about the ball joints, most cars have shims inside the joints so as the "ball" part wears you pull apart the joint and change the shim as they start to loosen. It will eventually get to a point where the shim will not take up the play so you buy a whole new joint and put that in. Might pay to check if it is the case for yours as it would mean a 15 minute (no parts req) fix. "Most cars" do not have shims in the ball joints, last one I saw was a old Mini.

tchart

410 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 592103 8-Mar-2012 07:43
I avoid going to VTNZ becuase of past fail bad experiences. They failed a friend becuase her (previously passed) car had stickers on the back seat window (put there by the kids). Anyway, what gets me is that if its mandatory testing then why is there such a variation on pricing. Ive seen some places charge upwards of $70 for a WOF. VTNZ arent cheap either - over $50 was my last recollection. Personally I think it shouldnt be more than $30 and should be price regulated.

old3eyes

4109 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

Reply # 592133 8-Mar-2012 08:45
I think that the whole 6 monthly WOF system is a con this country. No one else in the world has such a money grabbing system in place. Regards, Old3eyes

pinkydot

114 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 592136 8-Mar-2012 08:50
i go to AA for WOF now just to get the 30 cents smart fuel.. since become aa member for a long time

IlDuce

768 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 592140 8-Mar-2012 09:05
I always thought WOFs were a visual inspection I thought jamming a pinch bar between here and there and giving it a bend would go a bit beyond the visual realm? I was concerned so much pressure was being applied directly to aluminium wheels.... when demonstrated the fail it took 3 attempts to replicate as there was so much pressure being applied the pinch bar would fly off the ball joint. I now have a document here from Honda which says, if I interpret it correctly, that that area is designed to be squashable and using a lever as they have done WILL compress as per normal manufacturer free play. Free play associated with wear or damage cannot be ascertained by the bar method. Only the wobble from the outside with suspension hanging. So I wonder if I go back and wave that in their face and get a pass, or go somewhere else, and say they failed it as they used incorrect method. NO WONDER I've been failing so many warrants on every car I have had!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5