Suzuki Club UK

Hi just thought I would join the forum as I have just recently bought a 1989 sj410 and would like some advice and knowledge on what I can and can't do with her.
The previous owner stated that the SJ only needed an exhaust for MOT so I decided to book her in and see what it really needed, unfortunately had a list the length of my arm
But luckily nothing too serious and since I am a mechanic by trade hopefully shouldn't be too much hassle

Anyway back to the subject, just saying hello and that I'm sure I will be annoying you soon with questions
I will upload some pics when I figure out how

We need to keep these vans alive and kicking :

That MOT, oh my

All straight forward stuff though, as my dad used to say "inch by inch is a cinch, yard by yard is hard"

Good luck

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1a)
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)
offside front Electrical wiring deteriorated and bare wires exposed on battery (1.9.2c)
offside rear Electrical wiring insecure by towbar (1.9.2a)
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)
nearside front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)
offside front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid washer jet blocked (8.2.3)
front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases pipe (7.1.2)
centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases box (7.1.2)
nearside front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)
offside front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)
Drivers seat insecure (6.2.A.1)
nearside rear Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)
offside rear Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)
nearside front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)
offside front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)
nearside rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)
offside rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)
nearside front Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)
nearside front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)
offside front Brake hose excessively damaged loose (3.6.B.4d)
offside front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)
offside front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)
offside rear Fuel pipe leaking by tank (7.2.3)
offside rear Leaf spring has a deteriorated anchor pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement top bush (2.4.B.2)
offside rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage refector bracket (6.1.C.1)
nearside rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage refector bracket (6.1.C.1)
Advisory notice item(s)
Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)
offside front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)
fuel tank damaged
offside rear Brake pipe slightly corroded to flexi (3.6.B.2c)
offside rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)
offside front Leaf spring has a slightly deteriorated anchor pin rubber bush not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.B.2)
under side of vehicle covered in undersill
nearside front Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch ()
offside front Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch ()
nearside rear Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch ()
offside rear Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch ()

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

Hi,

Thanks, Yeah its not so bad.
Looks worse on paper, but this time next month she should hopefully be on the road
First thing I am going to tackle is the poor paint job though

MOT says it is/was green originally? what's your plan?

Welcome to the club.

Thats a long list but a lot of the things are basic service items and are all readily available. I'd say start at the top and work through it.

Looks like a tidy motor, i saved mine many years ago and it was a lot worse, a lot!

New tyres look like the most expensive item on the list.

Brakes will just be a good service, screen washers probably just want a gentle blow through with an air pipe.

Is the handbrake on the rear drums or transmission? May just want adjusting up or shoes.

Same applies to the service brakes. Shoes and pads all round, brake fluid change. Don't see any mention of brake fluid leaks or seals on the report.

Brake flexi pipes and copper pipes are a doddle to replace.

All the suspensions bushes are readily available as are wheel bearings.

All the electrics sounds like dodgy earth wires.

Be sorted in no time.

Have to investigate the suspension component mounting.

Hmm strange as my V5 says blue, anyway it has been hand painted with masonry paint by the looks of it. But that has been bleached by the sun.

Started rubbing the paintwork down with an orbital sander this morning, got to sort all the battle scars tonight
Going to mix a colour to get as close as possible to the masonry paint used and then respray it at my work tomorrow, hopefully if I choose the same colour it will only need a couple of light coats. Also paint all the accents black (door hinges, grill etc), Then a deep coat of lacquer to make the paint pop

Hi
Thanks, yeah most stuff is service items really.

I have ordered 4 wheel bearings, 5 new bf goodrich tyres and a new fuel tank so far,
And picked up some wheel arches for a defender this morning from my local 4x4 center, hopefully with a little modifying they will fit.
Most of the other thing like brake pipes and fuel lines I should have lying around the shop

Tyres sticking out aren't (or shouldn't be) an MOT failure. They are covered by C&U regs.

Guess your MOT man would have a fit if i turned up with this?

Yeah i know, our MOT tester was ill on Friday so I had to get one of the other guys to MOT it for me.
Unfortunately he is quite obtuse when it comes to MOT's and he does everything by the book :(
Took him 1 hour and 45 mins to MOT it

haha yeah he would probably have a field day going through yours.

Just a quick question is that a custom exhaust stack on yours? Looks good just thinking I could make one to fit on the other side of where my snorkel is going