Hi all, sorry for the late update but been to parents this w/e and
they don't know things like the internet!!!!!!!!
Well, everything went fine and was on for a first time pass until the
brake test!
I had the headlight reset and adjusted the emissions even though it went
through MOT Ok!??!?
Went to get it on the rollers for brake test but too low, so Mr Hall
(excellent, very friendly and helpful) said drive past outside at
20mph then slam on to check the back doesn;t lock up.
Well, I did that then the front o/s trailing arm went clean through
the TCA compliance bush and the front went to fold in!!!!!!!!!
Obviously a fail, but the tester said he'd never seen that before and
suggested faulty bushes (they were new TCAs).
I let it roll to a stop using the back brake then needed to go back
to Swindon from Avonmouth to collect it on a trailer.
I am only thankful that it never happened at 80 on the M4/5!!!!! I'd
be dead if it did, so I'm actually very happy it happened on the
test> And to think on the way to MOT and SVA I was thrashing the
nuts off it :-((((((.
Anyway I've got it stripped (both sides!) and ordered some superflex
bushes and got the big washers (froma breakers) I forgot to add to
both sides of the bush in the first place!!!! D'OH!
Remember kids, check everything 3 times before you drive it for the
first time. I was lucky, and as I said could have happened on the
motorway!
Hopefully I will have it ready then take it for the big pass on
friday all being well.
Cheers
Paul (slightly embarrassed!)
Phew!
That worries me as well - I'm halfway between my nearest SVA centres, at Chelmsford and Norwich - both about 40 miles away. That's a fair
old first run for a untested car and a totally rebuilt engine! Oh - and it was built by a total novice to car mechanicals (me - although I did have
prior mechanical skills).
Better luck next time...
David
Sorry to hear it didn't all go smoothly but as you say very glad to hear things failed when they did! 
Don't think you really need to be embarassed- not something you'd have expected or really could have tested for!
Good luck with re-test!!!
James
EDIT: and I will definately be finding an airfield/business park on a Sunday PM to test mine on before the road!
[Edited on 23/2/04 by James]
anywhere i know james?
Ned.
University business park/ Slyfield Business Park,
(For lower speed testing): Sainsbury's car park, Homebase/Currys.
There's loads of places.
There's also that airfield up the A3 that I've got my eye on- no idea who owns it or what the story with it is. I keep intending to go up
there sometime during daylight and have a poke around for men with guns and the like!
James
quote:
Originally posted by James
I keep intending to go up there sometime during daylight and have a poke around for
" - both about 40 miles away. That's a fair old first run for a untested car"
I have the choice of Exeter or Taunton, they are 108 and 152 miles respectively - I'll probably have to book several mot's around the county
do beware that sainsbury car park is likely to be considered part of the public highway and you may get nicked for an illegal car.
About 10 years ago, a guy was drunk and sleeping off in the car park in his car. It was our local, still being built, tescos.
They woke him up, breathalised him, and did him for drunk in charge = same as drunk driving.
atb
steve
On the positive side, if it does mechanically fall apart or crash, you will know a man who can estimate the repair costs, and likely get discounted
recovery 
atb
steve
quote:
Originally posted by Mark Allanson
" - both about 40 miles away. That's a fair old first run for a untested car"
I have the choice of Exeter or Taunton, they are 108 and 152 miles respectively - I'll probably have to book several mot's around the county
I recon we would be the only bodyshop to take on a locost, at least I would have a good head start on the insurance assessor!!
I guess thats why the SVA is a good thing. Can you emagine oll those people who'd built kit cars before the sva came in. They could get an mot
which wouldnt check half the things the sva would and theyd go straight out onto the road.
If it uses the sierra track control arm get the heavy duty bush set. It's half the price of the standard one and really tightens the front end
up. You get all the parts in with it so no scrapyard parts needed.
yours, Pete.
James,
Think your on bout wisley. Also think its a no go. In the early nintys they put armco barriers accros the runway to stop drugs trafficing from
amsterdam. There is a bit of wot used to be whether the old terminal building was (i think you double back to the right from the entrance but seem to
remember it was in a poor condition.
If you have a trailer nip up to brooklands. The security guys are usually pleasant and will say when the runways free.