It is quite an interesting job though it can be challenging at times, Each time the satisfaction is always the same ,when ever completed my work load of repairs and maintenance on a vehicle.anyway back to the vehicle i will be working on tomorrow and am just going to try to break down what i did before carrying out any repairs,maintenance or service and also it is wise to always carryout the brake test first ,so you know the condition of the braking system and handbrake.it is also wise to visually check the brake disc,brake pad,brake shoe, and handbrake cable because sometimes the vehicle will pass the brake test but the brake pad or shoe is very low or the disc or hubs seal is leaking oil into the brakepad or shoe, and also the brake caliper might has seized up,one brake pad is wearing faster than the other.
I carried out the safety inspection myself, wrote down the defect on a notebook,which i always keep safe by my tools box for used on vehicle when been ask to carryout safety inspection and rectify every defect found and prepare the vehicle for MOT test.
I have already completed the safety inspection on this vehicle i will be writing about here,first of all i started by driving the bus on to a hydraulic lift ramp ,just after i finished with brake testing the vehicle,this particular vehicle failed the brake test.anyway just as i drive the vehicle around the garage i listen to the sound of the engine,listen to any noise from the front wheel,the steering, suspension,also select each gear and depress the clutch petal,also listening to any funny noise from the vehicle driving gears,rear differential axle,the propshaft,just as i do this ,am always listening for any loose component or vehicle body frame,chassis or panel making unreasonable noise,anyway once the vehicle is on the ramp.
i carry out inspection starting at the drivers cab,switch on the ignition or start the engine,making sure the ABS light goes off,battery light goes off,ECU lights goes off,also and warning signs on the dash goes off,switch on the heater control,making sure it is blowing cold and warm clean air i check the dashboard,switch on the ignition,making sure the light on the dash is all working and operating as require,making sure all the controls are working,eg like the fuel gauge,air gauge,temperature gauge,oil gauge,also making sure the speedo and tacho is operation,the Demister is operating,switch on the wiper control,try the horn,making sure it working,and also try to the reverse horn,operate driver seat adjuster and condition,check belt and security,when am done, i also making sure the brake,clutch and accelerator pedals are in good condition and check if there is too much travel on them.also check the driver side window,making sure it is not stiff,check the sun visor and night blind, and others
Interiors
i started by operating the passenger door open and close control switch,it is air over electric system,check to make sure when it is close,can open automatic when someone is standing by the door,then listen for air leak as i making sure the door is operating as require,then open the door, move it up and down myself and side ways, making sure the top and bottom ball joint are in good condition.
check the condition of the stairs and steps,handrails,operate the stopping bells on each seat,check the passenger seat and safety belt,the windows,check the side seat making the spring is not weak or broken,check the floor for any sharp corners,switch on the interior light make sure they all working,also making sure the vehicle have fire extinguisher,check the emergency exit door and listen to the warning device buzz when the door is open,and also check to make sure there is emergency plastic hammer to break to roof exit,also check the passenger seat making sure they are in good comfortable condition and others etc...
Exterior
moving to the obligatory lights,switch on the side light ,walk round the vehicle checking and making sure the sidelights,markerlights are all working,also with the number plate light,switch on the rear fog light,switch on the headlight and check it,switch on the main beam light and check,ask my colleague to check the footbrake light for me, and the reverse light,and the condition of the lamp and lens,also with the reflectors.switch on the hazard light ,also check the indicators,front,side and rear.anyway just as i work round the vehicle am checking the front bumper,side wings,front spoiler,bonnet,windscreen,wiper blade,off side-side mirror and near side mirrors,arm,bracket mounting for security and condition,checking the number plates front and rear,body panels,access flap and moulding,also checking the wheel arches,pans and mud flaps,tyres condition and tyre threads,fuel filler cap,emergency engine stop switch etc....
ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
i then open the bonnet either inside the vehicle or outside,lift it up,check the bonnet lock condition,gauge the engine oil,check the coolant level and strength,check the brake fluid level,sometimes when the brake fluid level is low,the brakepad or brake shoe has wear,need replacing.also i check the steering fluid,check the air filter if it need replacing or cleaning,check the alternator belt for wear and cracks,if there is,i think it is better to replace ,than to be sorry,looking around the engine for any leaks,oil or coolant,check the hose for cut or cracks,also check the exhaust manifold bolts,the alternator,starter motor,check the radiator,check the oilcooler or intercooler,check the gearbox fluid level,check the steering main box and power,also check the front engine mounting,also check the battery condition,the state of charge and the strength of the electrolyte and other stuff etc....
asked my colleagues to start the vehicle ,while i operate the hydraulic lift, once the vehicle is on a comfortable height for me , i instruct my colleagues to continuously steer left and right, why i check the various component of the steering and movement of the steering system and component ,the steering linkage,the steering drop arm,draglink,balljoint,movement of the suspension,the antiroll bar ,the leaf spring,the front shock absorber,check if the is movement on the suspension system and listen for any noise coming from the engine.when i am satisfy i instruct him to switch off the engine,and apply the footbrake,while i listen for any air leaks, or hydraulic leak,and also look to see the movement of the brake caliper to the brakedisc,when am satisfy and write down any defect i notice, i move away from under the engine compartment to the middle of the vehicle,as i do this am looking for oil ,coolant ,air leak ,ask him to start and rev the engine , while i inspect the exhaust silencer and down pipe and and tail pipe,engine off i check if the clamps if it need tighten,i check the component mounted on either side of the engine, check the sump for corroding or leaks or loose bolts,check the gearbox, propshaft, the retarder, the rear axle, and look for any corroded signs on the chassis,condition of the air bags ,suspension,instruct my colleague again to apply the footbrake and apply the brake petal while i listen for air leak from the rear brake chambers,air pipes,i instruct him to release the handbrake and apply the footbrake ,while i listen for air leaks and looking at the movement of the rear brakes and checking the condition of the brake disc,pads and hub seal and the movement of the handbrake cable,when am done, i continue checking under body component and mountings,the lower the vehicle down onto a axle stand on the front main beam, so i can check the offside and near side wheel bearings for lift or freeplay by using a bar, and also checking the kingpins for any sign of wear,lift or freeplay,the kingpin is what keep the stud axle,front wheels secure,so the steering can be steer easily.
LIST OF DEFECT FROM THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE
Dashboard panels screws were missing and some undone--i fitted new screws and tighten others.
Entrance door bottom balljoint worn--i replace the balljoint.
Front bumper bolt was undone and some missing--i fitted new screws and tighten others.
Rear bumper accident damage on near side--i fitted new bumper.
Front near side and off side headlight lamp panel missing--i fitted new panel on both sides.
Passenger sideseats springs broken--i fitted new springs.
Steering wheel insert missing--i fitted new insert.
Under dashboard panel undone--i fitted new handlers and tighten screws.
Near side side body panel and side wings screw undone and some missing--i fitted new screws and tighten others.
Front suspension air bags cracks and leaking air--i fitted a new air bags.
Front brake discs worn --i replace the brake disc and hubs seals.
Front brake pads worn-- i fitted new brake pads.
Rears brake discs worn--i replace the brake disc and hubs seals.
Rear brake pads worn--i fitted new brake pads.
Exhaust silencer box corroded and blowing--i fitted a new silencer box.
Exhaust silencers mounting rubber split x4--i fitted 4 rubbers.
Oilcooler pipe to gearbox oil filter housing leaking--i replace the pipe.
Steering draglinks worn on both ends--i fitted new balljoint.
Tensioner pulley bearing noisy--i fitted new tensioner.
Driver seat adjuster stiff--i lubricate the adjuster mechanisms.
Driver side window stiff-- i give it a good clean and lubricate.
Access disable floor board stiff and sandy--i give it a good clean and lubricate.
Front shockasborber weak and leaking fliud--i fitted new front asborber.
Alternator V belt crack and wear--i fitted new V belt .
Steering fliud low-- i top it up.
Steering main box leaking oil from drop arm seal--i replace the seal.
Fuel filler cap broken--i replace the fuel cap.
Off side rear body frame badly rusty and corroded--i cut it off,and weld a new frame to it.
i retorque all the wheel nut afterwards to the specify setting and rebrake test the vehicle and before road test with a colleague.
great article.that promtes best practicesa.....
ReplyDelete:Air Compressor Pipes
many thks svmerketing.
ReplyDelete