I finally took my car to the inspection station, and I was dissappointed when
it failed. In MA, the car (1980 MGB) is not required to pass emission
inspection, just a safety check, which usually consists of makinmg sure that
all the lights work, horn, wipers, etc. The technician failed me for two items:
- He jacked up the front of the car and shook the wheels, and said that I
needed a new ball joint. He said that the other side of the car wasn't as bad,
that it just needed a tie rod end.
- There was an oil leak. I opened the hood and saw that it was coming from the
oil dipstick tube. I had tightly fastened the oil filler cap before going to
the inspection station (it had been loose before), so it looks like the system
isn't venting correctly.
On the suspension parts, I thought that the ball joint was on the tie rod end,
and that if there's other play that he was complaining about, it's probably
caused by a worn kingpin. I don't know what he was looking (or feeling) for
when he did the test, but can someone describe how to test for worn suspension
parts? I was thinking about putting in rebuilt swivel axels ($429.95 from
Proper MG) and new front springs and bushings anyway, so if that's what I need
to fix this problem, I won't be too unhappy.
With the plugged venting system, what's the best way to test for that? I've
been smelling fuel odors when I drive, so maybe it's connected somehow. I had
redone the carbon cannisters not too long ago, but there might be something
plugged somewhere.
At least I can drive the car for 60 days without worrying about being pulled
over; the old sticker expired in September, but the car wasn't running then.
I've been driving it while my wife's car is in the shop, and it's not too bad
with the snow coming in the windows (when I decided that I didn't need to fix
the heater, I forgot that I wouldn't have a defroster either). I just wish I
had installed the radio. Good thing spring is coming.
Thanks.
--Steve Shoyer (1980 MGB, garage only 9 months away!)
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