Trainee mot tester

Hi Tom
I’ve placed a link on here for a video but bare in mind some of the test dosent apply to this county but gives you an insight into how the ATL started out ,it may be a bit outdated but does have some insight to what your doing .

The turn plates are used ,with the engine running and turn the steering wheel lock to lock and check for any stiffness in the steering etc ,during this part of the test ,while checking lock to lock ,steering components should be checked for any fouling of system etc that may effect the operation of the steering ,any fouling of the wheels ,any flexible brake hoses fouling or streatching etc .

As you know you can’t be in the drivers seat turning the steering wheel and under the lift looking at what the steering system is doing at the same time ,so
Engine running with the vehicle on turn plates ,you in drivers seat check lock to lock assessing the steering for stiffness,then get out of the vehicle ,put the ramp at your hip height and use your arms , you will need to check using the lock to lock method standing at each wheel in turn and manuall turn the wheel on each full lock once on each lock stop and look and examine the components that are visible best you can like the above ,eg fouling ,stretching of hoses etc ,do this for each side nearside and offside on both locks I front of the wheel and at rear of the wheel whilst on full locks ,if that’s not possible get someone to sit in the drivers seat ,you under neath the vehicle and instruct the person in the vehicle to turn the steering wheel lock to lock while you check the steering system and other components,you can do the lock to lock a few times until your satisfied you have checked everything u need to check .

Shaker plates have 2 modes , rotational mode for steering checks and side to side for suspension checks ;

Rotational mode ;
Engine running ;

Use this mode for checking the steering components while underneath or under the bonnet if you need to if some components are visible .
This mode will turn each wheel left to right a small amount in order to check for free play / unwanted movements in components regarding the steering system.
You may also if needed to check any under bonnet steering components visible such as shaft or rack couplings etc .
You may also check the steering couplings on the interior of the vehicles next to the foot pedals,in rotational mode the steering column will rotate which enables you to inspect all around the joint which helps detecting play or other issues at that point

Side to side mode movement of the plates to check front and rear suspension components;

Under this mode your going to inspect components of the suspension system and there movements from underneath the vehicles or in some cases under bonnet and wheel arches .( shocks absorbers etc )
This mode can look quite violent but not compared to how violent the car on the road is subjected to .

Whilst operating the side to side mode check the suspension components and look for any unwanted movements such as excessive play in bottom ball joints ,upper ball joints ,inner bushes ,outer bushes ,pin bearings etc.
Inspect the rear suspension components the same way .
Top shoc mountings/ bearings/assemblies can also be checked using this mode
.
It’s important obviously that you know how ,what and where regards shaker plates as that’s what you are going to use mainly.

However at this moment in time the testers you are shadowing should be teaching you how to perform a test where you haven’t got shaker plates to check steering and suspension components as when it comes to performing your demonstration test in front of dvsa ,you’ll be required to carry the test out in the manual way with an assistant,and not use the shaker plates ) you may want to bring that up (if you don’t know this as I’m assuming)

Owt else just ask me or any of the guys on here Tom ,in the meantime just stick with it we’ve all been through it ,it can get bit daunting at times but the penny will drop and good luck

Remember Tom that these are old videos and some parts me not be relevant,but in whole not much has changed regards how/what you examine is still to this day relevant .

About 4 minutes and 30 seconds into that video the trainer advises that he is an "Engineer", and he says "anti-roll bars cannot be welded" LOL   

Me and Nitros don't argue we just having a bit of banter mate. 

You need to be shown how to do a test regardless of if you have an ATL or NOT with the use of an assistant because that is what the dvsa man will be checking you on