Lowering a vehicle in NSW - recent changes?

[No457 Snowy]

OK, I thought a suspension height mod was previously classified a "minor" modifcation as long as you maintained 100mm ground clearance? (ie, no engineers certificate required)

Now it appears that ANY height change from stock is now classified "major modification" and therefore requires an engineers certificate, regardless.

I noticed it was dated just 10 days ago and thought they might have snuck in a new rule.

EDIT: Just read through this thread, so the correct answer to my question appears to be yes they have changed it and previously perfectly legal cars will be now illegal unless certified.


Snowy.

[The_Hawk]

The way I read that document is that any existing modifications (that are currently legal) would not require certification since thats required either at blue slip OR after modifying. Mind you there is always the chance that one of the boys in blue hands you a defect and you have to get the car checked. (lets not discuss how much we like this one).

So most of us should continue to be fine for the moment.

I have *just* gotten off the phone to the RTA so can confirm the following:

Currently modified cars DO NOT EVER need to get certified UNLESS you do something that requires a blueslip (like change something or get defected). So moving a car between states to NSW just got harder if there is any mods on the suspension.

The engineers report is definately above and beyond the blue slip. (Read $$$)


So my interpretation was correct.


Now you have to wonder if there will be a niche industry of engineers (or some friendly engineers) that will provide quick and cheap certification for simple suspension jobs.

So if I change my suspension because it's old and busted I assume I don't need certification as long as it doesn't change the ride height (or does Mum and Dads 10 year old Commodore now cost that much more to fix).

[Manaz]

From the other thread:

That's very interesting.

This PDF on the RTA website agrees with you. This one disagrees (it says raising or lowering).

So, does the RTA or the minister have it right (and why does the RTA have two documents which contradict each other on its' website)?

It seems that the laws regarding lowering have not changed at all. The minister appears to have gotten it wrong in his press release, probably in the rush to look to be doing something about car hoons...

[No457 Snowy]

Wasn't it possible to fit coilovers or say Eibach springs previously without an engineers certificate? I thought you could as long as the vehicle retained 100mm minimum ground clearance.

The way I'm interpreting it you now MUST get an engineer certificate if you deviate lower than stock height at all.

Or was that always the rule as Rocket36 points out?


Snowy.

[The_Hawk]

The way I'm interpreting it you now MUST get an engineer certificate if you deviate lower than stock height at all.

Or was that always the rule as Rocket36 points out?

Since it was a minor modification it never needed to be engineered so long as the vehicle itself was still within the ADR standards. While you could get a defect notice to prove it was legal, your normal run of the mill Blue Slip place could say the ride height was appropriate.

Now ANY change needs an engineers report, although only if it's made after 12/07/2009 (or you get defected or need a blue slip).

So quick, get your coils in before the 31st



...Now we need people to go out and hunt up some friendly engineers who want to provide said certification for suspension on our dubs and post up a sticky with locations and prices (where available).

[Rocket36]

Wasn't it possible to fit coilovers or say Eibach springs previously without an engineers certificate? I thought you could as long as the vehicle retained 100mm minimum ground clearance.

The way I'm interpreting it you now MUST get an engineer certificate if you deviate lower than stock height at all.

Or was that always the rule as Rocket36 points out?


Snowy.

Since it was a minor modification it never needed to be engineered so long as the vehicle itself was still within the ADR standards. While you could get a defect notice to prove it was legal, your normal run of the mill Blue Slip place could say the ride height was appropriate.

Now ANY change needs an engineers report, although only if it's made after 12/07/2009 (or you get defected or need a blue slip).

So quick, get your coils in before the 31st



...Now we need people to go out and hunt up some friendly engineers who want to provide said certification for suspension on our dubs and post up a sticky with locations and prices (where available).

This has a fair bit of grey area I think. Individual components also have their own ADR which a lot of the after market stuff doesn't not have as it costs companies a lot to get ADR approval for products, which in turn would push up retail costs and they'd lose customers. That doesn't mean their products don't - most of them are a lot better than stock components. So while the ride hide is legal, the individual components technically might not be. Doesn't mean you'd fail an inspection or be un-roadworthy, it just technically means the modification would still be illegal.

That's my interpretation though and I'm not sure it's 100% accurate and why I think there's a whole lot of grey area. Correct me if I'm wrong, but unless a car is stock (everything stock meets ADR standards approval or it can't be sold) or the modified components meet ADR standards, then it requires an engineers certification to be legal.

[No457 Snowy]

They have so many conflicting and poorly thought out regulations:

The RTA has a database of standard vehicle suspension/wheel specs for different models and their acceptable limits, so I looked up my Golf:

I looked up the specs for a 2004 Golf and it says hub centre to wheel arch stock measurement is 370mm at the front with a RTA specified minimum acceptable measurement of 353mm. The GTI came 15mm lower already, so that's 355mm ( ie, 15mm down from 370mm). So they are saying the car can settle 2mm and then it's illegal.


Snowy.