cv gaiters

[luisclark]

hi, i need a mechanics point of view,
is it imedetly dangerus to drive with your cv gaiters split.
i recently got stoped at a traffic check point and got a prohibitation notice which voids my MOT and i recived 3 points and a £60 fine, just for having 2 split cv gaiters. i was not allowed to even drive my escort van home and had to get recoverd
sorry about my spelling.

[bouncingjohn]

I'm not a mechanic and have no idea what cv gaiters are; but if you're getting points/fines for them not being okay, then, yes, it's probably dangerous.

[SabeanQueen]

The points and fine was rather harsh, unless you've already had an advisory on it and were continuing to drive, or they were well gone already. As to it being dangerous, it depends how long they've been split. More than a few days and yes, it could be dangerous, so in a way it was good that you were stopped and made aware of the problem. Untreated you'll end up with drive shaft and gear box problems, and very likely problems with your brakes too as your joints have lost their protection and will be getting contaminated by all the bits picked up from the road surface. You're looking at about £20 for the parts (they're not pricey) and no more than an hours labour.

Welcome to TS btw

[luisclark]

thanks for the reply, i am gratefull that the police found the fult, i didnt know that they were split, i changed the wishbones about 2 weeks ago and they were fine then, i have know changed the cv joints and gaiters and it is booked in for an mot, i am going to be going to cort about it because i feel that it was a bit hevy handed. i have since spoke to a mechanic and they sead the cv's will be safe to drive for at least a week with the gaiters split, the only problem is that some grees could go on the brakes, but there was no evedence of this on mine

[jacktar]

Hi luisclark, This scenario is very strange For the police to find split gaitors at a roadcheck means they must have crawled under your car to check them......did this happen ? A car can pass an MOT one day with everything OK and next day something could go wrong.. yes a gaitor could split, a sidelight could fail, even your windscreen washer could be empty...these would not VOID your MOT. A MOT is only valid at the point in time that your veheicle is tested................ How would you know that you had split gaiters........ are you expected to check the underside if your car each day !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF The rubber gaitor protects your CV joint from ingress of water/dirt/stones , etc. and would take many miles before you hears a "crunching" sound as you turned sharp corners etc.
I would be interested to see the dates that your car was last MOT'd prior to you "Police check"

Just My opinion

Lets see how thing go

Best of luck

JT

[silver]

checking under car for a routine traffic stop sounds very unusual,. I don't know if there's a notice police can issue so you have to go get the work done and get back to them with proof - if that were possible then it would seem a fairer penalty

[Doggy Doo]

I see you drive a van, Was this a police stop and check or a VoSa stop. Is the van used for commercial work? VoSa would give it a proper going over and yes stop you from driving.

[jacktar]

I see you drive a van, Was this a police stop and check or a VoSa stop. Is the van used for commercial work? VoSa would give it a proper going over and yes stop you from driving.

Originally Posted by Doggy Doo

Yep! normally only commercial vehicles get served with a prohibitation notice.
Looks like this has not been a simple Police check

I should have noted that on your first post :

"I recently got stopped at a traffic check point and got a prohibitation notice which voids my MOT and i received 3 points and a £60 fine"

[luisclark]

yes it was a normal police road check, they were cheaking bikes and cars and vans, all th officer did was askem me to turn the wheels to full lock bothe ways and he had a look underneth, he also put on the tickit that the cv's were deterated, which he could not of been able to tell unless he drove the van or had jacked up and felt for play, it is not a big van its only a escort van, i will be going to cort to try and not get the points and hopfull ythe fine, but i still have to mot the van and then take the mot to a local police station wich is a bit of a pain, i have put new gaiters and cv joints on it diddnt need cv's but i thought ill change them anyway, the only other problem with the van was a numberplate light which i have fixed aswell