NCT Manual. - National Car Testing Service

NATIONAL CAR TEST (NCT) MANUAL 2012
REAR SUSPENSION
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Method of Testing
1. With the vehicle on the lift or pit, raise the rear of the vehicle so that the suspension hangs freely using the vehicle
manufacturer’s recommended jacking points for checking rear suspension.
2. Examine axle beams, trailing arms, swinging arms, and their mounting bushes/bearings/shafts/ball joints for wear damage
and distortion.
3. Check for damage or excessive corrosion of any suspension strut mounting, wear in the shaft and the condition of the bonding
between the metal and flexible material in the strut support bearing.
4. For all suspension types examine the condition of wishbones, ball joints, track control arms, anti-roll bars, transverse rods,
radius rods and their mounting bushes, bearings, shafts, washers or retaining devices.
5. Examine the condition of the chassis frame and body shell structure in the vicinity of suspension mounting points and
suspension subframe mounting points for fractures, excessive corrosion and distortion.
ITEM
Axle Beam, Trailing Arm,
Wishbones, Swinging Arm, Track
Control Arm, Suspension Strut
Anti-roll Bar,
Transverse Rod, Radius Rod/Link
Bushes, Ball Joints, Sliding Bushes or
Swivel Joints
Mounting Area
Retaining or Locking Devices e.g.
Split Pin, Nut, Rivet or Weld.
Dust Covers
REASONS FOR FAILURE
1 Obviously askew.
2 Mounting bushes, bearing or bearing carrier, shafts,
ball joints, obviously loose, worn or insecure.
3 Cracked or damaged.
4 Mounting loose.
5 Cracked or deformed.
6 Missing or broken.
7 Excessive wear.
8 Insecure.
9 Damaged or corroded to such an extent that the security
or alignment of the suspension component is affected.
10 Absent, insecure, worn or broken.
11 Dust cover is missing or severely deteriorated.
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