Wouldn't that fail MOT and IVA due to the welding to the rack body?

I wouldn't have thought so, I would have thought that was to do with the moving parts inside rather than the casing.

Worth asking an MOTer though!

Cheers
Stot

Been researching this today a bit as well, since i'm getting to this stage. It seems the better option to welding, is to take it to a machine shop, cut 5-7" of the rack then have them machine and rethread it. Then the only thing your welding is the casing.

Thanks for that pork chop. Won't be using that then. :)