MOT Failure - Wheels rubbing - useful info!
 

Hi there,

Just had my first MOT (sadly not at the dealer where I bought the car) and it's failed due to the 18" Wheels (Approved Volvo Accessory I guess) rubbing.

This must have happened before, anyone with any advice ? Apart from going spare at the Dealer where I bought it ?

Cheers,

Paul.

You can put lock-stops on the car.

However, my preferred method is to use an MOT garage that understands Volvos (ie a Volvo MD or a Volvo Specialist) as they are a lot more 'flexible' when it comes to issues like this. I've had 18 inch wheels on my car that have rubbed (also Volvo standard), and its passed its MOT every time with these wheels.

Sounds very overzealous - even the 17" wheels rub, depending on tyres but I've never had an MOT failure as a result. I'd echo the suggestion trying somewhere else, preferably with Volvo knowledge, who are aware that this nonsense is how Volvo intend their cars to operate - not beyond the wit of man to redesign the wheel arch lining you'd have thought - or perhaps it is!

I agree that it's over zealous... but I'm trying not to critcise the MOT guy too much, it's Volvo's problem - The law says that none of the tyre should catch the structure of the car, and they do, so it's a fail.

It's going back into Volvo Thursday so they can fix it with a retest on Tuesday... it'll be interesting to see what Volvo say.

Thanks for the responses,

S60 nebula wheels rubbing - MOT failure?
 

I panicked about this, but it is a known issue, even to vosa, the MOT people!. Have a look at their website.

http://www.vosa.gov.uk and type MOT 35 in the search box.

Why can't volvo come up with a modified plate, surely this would then not compromise the turning circle. This is my first Volvo and i am getting a bit nervous!

Hi,

That search found:
Any particular one?

Des. . . ;)

des on their main page i selected the top doc off the list in the center and toward the bottum of that page there is an article about wheel rub being normal on some model volvo's etc.. hope tis helps

Hi Paul

The way I resolved it, without losing even more turning circle by using lock-stops, was to fit 5mm spacers to the front wheels. It has made a massive difference to my turning circle and virtually stops the rubbing on the wheel arch (I still get a slight bit on full right lock but only occasionally which is probably due to the sports suspension).

They only cost £12.50 inc delivery - and are worth every penny and more. I went for these instead of the ebay ones available as they are solid cast with just the cut-outs for the various wheel nut spacings and not as flimsy looking as some on offer.

See previous post:

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=39165

One change I have done is I had the wheels fully balanced and used copperslip (sic!) to 'hold' them while refitting the wheels which should also stop them binding to the hub.

HTH

Dave

Hi Paul,

Had the same problem and with the MOT due I did a quick 'fix'. On the lower wishbones there is the rubber limit stop bolted on. I fitted 2 washers to each bolt to pad the stop out a bit. Worked a treat! Now I am one of those Volvo drivers that takes 23 attempts to do a 3 point turn........

Bob

Related to this pdf document - last page.

:)