Steering lock question.....

[TrustNo1]

Steve I'm sorry to pick your brains with an MOT Q, has it been confirmed that the tester can remove the brake fluid cap as DVSA were getting a bit red faced about this subject a few months ago when the new rules were suggested?

[Carledo]

Steve I'm sorry to pick your brains with an MOT Q, has it been confirmed that the tester can remove the brake fluid cap as DVSA were getting a bit red faced about this subject a few months ago when the new rules were suggested?

Well, as you know, nothing is certain till it happens, but my pet tester, who I see several times a week, still had it on his list of changes yesterday. I'm in again tomorrow and will try and copy the entire list for your perusal!

I can't see any way the tester could draw a sample of fluid to test WITHOUT removing the cap! But it does fly in the face of long established MOT procedure that NOTHING may be removed to carry out the inspection. This insistence is probaby the reason for the spare wheel not being checked on MOT, what if its wrapped in a bin bag in an underfloor bracket for example?

I'm a bit concerned about the brake fluid (water content) check anyway! Recently, a lot of main dealers, seem to have acquired the testing equipment and seem to be using it as a way of making more money by "failing" the fluid on every car that comes through the door and scaring the customers into having it changed.

Steve

[TrustNo1]

cheers Steve I've seen the full draft list just nothing solid that states testers can remove the cap, I'm guessing that they will have to buy an electronic tester for the job but it does lay then down to be accused of not cleaning it between tests, causing contamination by opening the cap etc etc.

[xvivalve]

I've read somewhere it is a visual test of the fluid only!!!

[sprint95m]

The requirement was not for a steering lock per se, but for a "security device". Most manufacturers chose to interpret this as a steering lock, but a few, like Saab just HAD to be different!

So an external removable device would be acceptable? I could lock the gear lever in reverse perhaps?


As an aside,
Last year I asked a local tester about fixed seats.....
these are acceptable so long as they can be somehow moved and then fixed into a different position.
For this to be possible a spanner (or other suitable tool) could be taped to the seat, said tool having a label to
indicate its purpose.



Ian.

[Carledo]

I've read somewhere it is a visual test of the fluid only!!!

Good luck with that on the solid ally reservoir on a single circuit Dolly!

Seriously though, testers have been checking brake fluid LEVEL since clear reservoirs became popular, there's nothing conclusive to be learned from the colour and nothing else to be learned without removing the cap. And therein lies DVSA's dilemma. There is a piece of equipment available that can tell the water content of brake fluid with a small sample drawn. This is apparently already in use in Germany as part of the TUV (German MOT) 2 yearly test. And the thing I was complaining about misuse of in my earlier post. But it requires the cap to be removed which goes against one of the MOT/DFT/DVSA's strictest rules that has applied since the days of the "ten year test" ie NOTHING can be removed during the inspection. I don't actually know why this should be, but my theory is it must have something to do with constitutional law to have survived this long.

Steve

[Carledo]

The requirement was not for a steering lock per se, but for a "security device". Most manufacturers chose to interpret this as a steering lock, but a few, like Saab just HAD to be different!

So an external removable device would be acceptable? I could lock the gear lever in reverse perhaps?


As an aside,
Last year I asked a local tester about fixed seats.....
these are acceptable so long as they can be somehow moved and then fixed into a different position.
For this to be possible a spanner (or other suitable tool) could be taped to the seat, said tool having a label to
indicate its purpose.
Ian.

Well yes, I suppose something like one of those locks that connect the gearshift to the handbrake would do, and fulfill the brief. But a new (or good used) steering lock is not exactly bank breaking, why make life more difficult un-necessarily?

On seats, only the drivers seat needs to move. But again there is a little wriggle room. If the seat is designed to be adjustable for reach, then it should move and lock according to spec. But if you have a fixed position racing seat installed (which is compulsory in several racing classes under MSA regs) in your street/trackday car, as several of my mates have, a sensible tester will overlook it, in much the same way that they will overlook 5 point harnesses, which are not MOT compliant either, believe it or not! Again though, how hard can it be it be to make a seat that is designed to slide and lock, actually do that reliably?

Steve

[sprint95m]

The steering lock is only a testable item on cars first used on or after
1st September 2001.
(Found this on an MOT testers’ forum)



Ian

[Carledo]

The steering lock is only a testable item on cars first used on or after
1st September 2001.
(Found this on an MOT testers’ forum)
Ian

If that is the case, then I have un-necessarily panicked folk, for which I apologise!

Unless of course the tester applies the same rule as for rear belts etc, ie if it's fitted, it must work!

Steve

[TrustNo1]

The steering lock is only a testable item on cars first used on or after
1st September 2001.
(Found this on an MOT testers’ forum)
Ian

If that is the case, then I have un-necessarily panicked folk, for which I apologise!

Unless of course the tester applies the same rule as for rear belts etc, ie if it's fitted, it must work!

Steve

If he does then kick him in the 'gads and show him the testers manual.
It's in section 2.1..

The inspection of the steering lock only applies to passenger cars with: • a steering lock fitted as standard by the manufacturer, and • four or more wheels, and • not more than 8 passenger seats excluding the driver’s seat, and • first used on or after 1 September 2001 The check does not apply to quadricycles.

[xvivalve]

I spent a few hours yesterday with the Tilson family assessing some of Jon’s collected treasures and happened across a box with assorted locks; lo and behold, two types of ignition barrel!

The first, as we all seem to recognise has a sprung barrel that sits slightly proud of the ring that has 0, I, II and III on it, and indeed, the key has to be pushed in at I to allow the final turn and release.

The second has an unsprung barrel, more flush to the ring, and the key releases without having to be pushed in.

[James467]

Following on from Alums post above I was looking through my parts catalogue today on the microfiche (for something else) and I came across something. There were two steering lock types fitted, a Wilmot Breeden lock and a C.E. Marshall lock.

This should explain the different types then.

[Carledo]

Following on from Aluns post above I was looking through my parts catalogue today on the microfiche (for something else) and I came across something. There were two steering lock types fitted, a Wilmot Breeden lock and a C.E. Marshall lock.

This should explain the different types then.

Yes James you have it right and I was (as usual) deluding myself!

I looked again at the lock on the Carledo and it isn't just worn, it doesn't push in or spring out. Inspection of the original key (matching lock car) reveals it to be a C.E. Marshall lock. The only other distinguishing feature of the CEM lock, is that the face plate of the barrel is plated like the lock body outer ring, whereas the WB barrel is flat bare metal. The locks (but not the barrels) appear to be interchangeable.

Steve