What's up with F53 bolts?

[Boat Bum]

I failed inspection, sheared off bolts and missing rear sway bar bracket. I fix that and bring to another shop closer for inspection. Failed again, two bolt sheared off driver's side manifold. I ask what's up with Ford bolts and they told me they do at least one a week; sigh...

 

[redbaron]

I failed inspection, sheared off bolts and missing rear sway bar bracket. I fix that and bring to another shop closer for inspection. Failed again, two bolt sheared off driver's side manifold. I ask what's up with Ford bolts and they told me they do at least one a week; sigh...

What kind of inspection looks at bolts missing?

This is a good thing, just never have experienced that in Texas with our safety / emissions inspection

 

[Boat Bum]

The kind in NH? I retired to NH from Mass and it's certainly different. Mass regulated inspections, $35 a year for the standard tests no matter the vehicle. NH inspection stations set their own price and have some leeway in what they can fail you on. It could be they're looking for additional work like all car inspection seem to do today.

I've paid from $35 to inspect my car to $195 to inspect my motorhome, in Mass this would be $35. The second NH inspection station charged me $80 for the inspection. I should be thankful that this stuff was caught, I now try to check all major bolts on the suspension and heads.

 

[redbaron]

I agree…there is a lot of comfort in an inspection that does the intended purpose of inspecting and finding a problem that could be catastrophic if left unresolved.

 

[Rich W.]

The kind in NH? I retired to NH from Mass and it's certainly different. Mass regulated inspections, $35 a year for the standard tests no matter the vehicle. NH inspection stations set their own price and have some leeway in what they can fail you on. It could be they're looking for additional work like all car inspection seem to do today.

I've paid from $35 to inspect my car to $195 to inspect my motorhome, in Mass this would be $35. The second NH inspection station charged me $80 for the inspection. I should be thankful that this stuff was caught, I now try to check all major bolts on the suspension and heads.

I found the same thing over in Wakefuild. My favorite shop in the area is B&B Truck and RV repair in Farmington. Found them to be honest and helpful, talked me out of replacing parts or doing work unnecessarily. They also have a rack big enough for your coach and do alignments.

 

[Boat Bum]

B&B is my place, I only went to the first inspection station ($195) in Hudson because I was having body work done there and it was expired. B&B was great last year when I inspected there ($80) and found the 2 sheared bolts on the driver's manifold. They gave me an appointment for June 19. I was able to see the area and confirm the missing bolts, it was still held in place by others.

 

[Holdmybeer]

The kind in NH? I retired to NH from Mass and it's certainly different. Mass regulated inspections, $35 a year for the standard tests no matter the vehicle. NH inspection stations set their own price and have some leeway in what they can fail you on. It could be they're looking for additional work like all car inspection seem to do today.

I've paid from $35 to inspect my car to $195 to inspect my motorhome, in Mass this would be $35. The second NH inspection station charged me $80 for the inspection. I should be thankful that this stuff was caught, I now try to check all major bolts on the suspension and heads.

There's been an issue with the f53 sway bracket bolts. The exhaust manifold bolts on the V10 are known for rusting off. Difficult to imagine how allowing an inspection station latitude in what constitutes passing or failing an inspection would not be confusing and lead to some degree of graft.

 

[Boat Bum]

As long as it is legitimate work to be done my concern would be price. The first station that failed me for inop windshield washer (it was frozen) quoted $360 to replace and the missing sway bracket and bolts for another $1300. I told them to fail me and brought it home and fixed it myself for approx. $45, 1 bracket two bolts. They obviously missed the manifold bolts because it was like that when they inspected it.