Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Cautionary tale

I fitted a remote greasing system last year, so have not been close to the front suspension recently.

Last week, I decided an inspection was due, and saw, to mr horror, that my track rod ends were not in a great state.

Old vs. New

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qudgjSzXUAvDxLEU7

This passed the MOT last July. I'm not sure it was a very thorough inspection. Both left and right were in similar condition.

Grease nipples on the track rod ends?

Surprised they missed those track rod end boots on the MOT but I do like to actually see the grease coming out when I grease the kingpins.

Morgan track rod ends are expensive if bought from dealers and it is possible to get new rubber boots.

Interesting.

That is one of the reasons I have not gone down the remote greasing route. I like to inspect the front suspension every time I do grease, and it is surprising just what you find when the wheels are off and you have a good look around.

For someone doing a lot of miles (like Cain) and using it as an everyday car , I can see the attraction, but not for me.

+1

On my car, the boot was actually rubbing on the brake disc and had split like in the photograph.

I ended up having to use a slightly different type of boot to give me some clearance. Albeit minuscule.

Some crossing of thoughts here, I think. Grease nipples on track rod ends are a new one on me, and the gungey one in the photo needs a good wipe, but Cain doesn't supply covers for track rod ends as far as I know.

I would imagine that if you put grease in, it's got to come out somewhere & the rubber boot cover must eventually give, surely..? Or is it me..?

My old 56 +4 had Grease nipples.

I'm almost certain my 105e had nipples on the four track rod ends. Grease sparingly or you pop the covers, just like UJs.

The old TR ends were “from new” as far as I’m aware. The new ones are from Heart of England.

Fitted easily, once I got the old ones off.

Question

Does the MOT require that boots are fitted?

My thinking is that if no boot is fitted the examiner can actually see the condition of the rod end so provided the owner keeps them in good condition they should be ok.

Obviously on the average family car where they never get looked at the boot serves a useful purpose but I check that sort of thing regularly and I would prefer to see the joint.

Clearly if a boot is fitted it needs to be in good condition as the examiner cannot see the actual joint but otherwise, is it an MOT fail not to have boots?