Pete (subarupete) has these fitted to his 4x4

did he make them or get them from that web site?

I think they were from that website

I'm puzzled by Spanners interpretation of that section of the MoT. Since most suspensions are already welded in many cases, I presume he understands that 'additional' welding or use of heat is a failure? But that would outlaw most kit cars. What about Caterhams and their clones with their welded wishbone suspensions? Why am I 'not getting this'?

Paul, I didn't write the manual, I was just mentioning it as Sam had asked about these arms. Yes, most suspension components are welded in the first place but we look for poor welding or obviously modified components which theses are. I don't know how I would stand if I were to fail one on an MOT but suspect due to the way it's worded in the manual, that I would come out the "winner". That said, I'd rather not find out.

If I had a Lomax come in with mud guards welded to the arms and they'd been gas welded and you could see evidence of excessive heat, I'd fail it. It's called covering your arse!

But then what is 'excessive'? Enough heat to make a proper weld or too much to damage what's being welded. So much in the MoT is down to interpretation - the kingpins for instance - so we tend to take our cars to 'sympathetic' MoT testers, don't we?

Time to begin my Sunday morning 'Full English'

The other tester at our place has stated categorically that if he tested my eacer, he'd fail it onthe front arm purely because you can see they've been modified by welding even though they're almost certainly a damn sight stronger than original ones.

Luckilly, I do know a "sympathetic" and (in my eyes) sensible tester.

I was basically told at VOSA training that there's still no substitute for common sense. I'm sure that'll be beaten out of us soon enough though.

I'd have said if the tester can see evidence of heating or welding repair/modification, then if he choses ge could fail it. Like you said, it's mainly interpretation.

Spanners, do the suspension arms fall under "steering" or does the "welding heating" apply to suspension components too?

sean

happy new year !

Especially when a Citroen publication - Ici Commence l'Aventure - actually gives dimensions & guides as to how to reinforce arms by welding them...