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Is adjustable suspension street legal?
https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26616		 Page 1 of 4
Author:  drmini in aust [ Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Is adjustable suspension street legal?
Another member and I discussed this on MSN last night, and we didn't know the answer. :?
If you buy adjustable tie bars and lower arms from (for example) MSC, does the car need to be engineered?
They may not be OEM parts (few of those exist now), but they are high volume aftermarket parts designed for Minis, just like 95% of the replacement parts we use.

Anybody been pinged for it? 8)

I'm not talking about race parts with rose joints here....
Author:  willy [ Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hilos aren't even classified as a street legal item.

So my guess is that tie bars and DEFINITELY bottom arms would need engineering.

8)
Author:  sports850 [ Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have been told by a knowledgable mechanic that they come under the aftermarket parts ruling where they can be legally fitted without engineering provided they are ADR compliant and certified . If they aren't (and since most of the stuff comes from the UK and are certified to their standards , not ours) certified to our ADR standards then they need to be engineered for legal street use , though that may be just a rubber stamp depending on what info comes with the arms etc .
Author:  Mike_Byron [ Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
Wern't they homologated items towards the end - Colin Dodds of Spriteparts posted the sheets for mini homolgation onto MCCNSW chat forum some time back and I am sure adjustable suspension was on that list.

That would mean that it is street legal. In anycase even now both ford and holden produce camber compensating kits for falcons and crummydores as do heaps of suspension places like Heasmans, Selbys (if they still exist), Pedders and Lovells.

Big difference between a properly manufactured item and a cut and threaded item with a turnbuckle fitted between the cuts.

Appendix J back when i was involved with it (yeah I know racing doesn't count but.... ) would not allow adjustable suspension where it was not an original item, however, you could fit adjustable arms and rods, get the angles and geometry right and then weld them so they couldn't be adjusted.
Author:  drmini in aust [ Wed Jan 10, 2007 2:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
The reason I cited the Minispares lower arms is they ARE proper redesigned forgings, not just cut off std ones with a bit of tube welded on.

Back in my and Mike's day we thought nothing of cutting an arm in half, spacing it 1/8" and rewelding it. I'm not suggesting that would be legal either. :lol:

Interesting thoughts, keep em coming....
Author:  sports850 [ Wed Jan 10, 2007 2:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just as a side comment , I read on a car site that rose jointed suspension arms weren't legal in NSW but haven't been able to find anything about it on the RTA's website .
Author:  Mike_Byron [ Wed Jan 10, 2007 2:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
Back then we could get away with heaps - some of what we did was good but some of it was downright dangerous eg;

Doc, did you ever see that Morris Series one that used to get around Parramatta that had the Simca Vedette V8 fitted to it.??? Maybe 1966. The engine fitted within the confines of the bonnet but the radiator was bolted on with welded brackets and it stuck a good six inches out into free space in front of the car.

It had wide wheels but the standard brakes and torsion bar suspension but was lowered. Could out drag a hot EH at the lights but I doubt it could turn a corner at speed or stop.

Sigh, !!!! and now we debate if a 1275 should or not be legally required to disc brakes and if properly engineered and designed lower control arms are street legal.
Author:  drmini in aust [ Wed Jan 10, 2007 2:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
Never saw that Morrie, there was one in Modern Motor or somewhere then with a Vedette V8 in it and it was pretty neat. Major problem in fitting was the steering rack location apparently.

For those of you wondering, a Simca Vedette used what was basically a SV Ford Pilot V8 made under licence in France, it did have a few improvements though- like adjustable tappets. :wink:
Author:  feralsprint [ Wed Jan 10, 2007 2:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
most clubman sports cars use rose joints for the supension joints but the size and type are determined by the engineer, I am pretty sure adjustable lower arms and tie bars need to be inspected by a certifying engineer to be strictlt legal but ssshhhhhhhhhhhh mine aren't

Jon
Author:  slinkey inc [ Wed Jan 10, 2007 3:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
I asked regency (adelaide transport department) during my inspector about furutre mods. They said "as long as it's made by a reputable company then it's quite ok" They went on to say "as long as you didn't make it in your backyard it's fine as you have no liablilty on that, as you amde it, but if you buys something, it breaks, causing an accident the manufacture is responsible." I was asking specifically about adjustable lower arms and stuff. They inspected my hi-los, front and rear and my adjustable camber brackets on the rear and said that they are all fine.
Author:  sports850 [ Wed Jan 10, 2007 3:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just check to see if the manufacturer has a little "for off road use only" comment on the packaging first though , they might screw you over that way . I wish we would have a national system with one set of rules for each state , it'd make things easier ...
Author:  Mike_Byron [ Wed Jan 10, 2007 3:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
Single set of rules - YES
The battles between state and federal governments stop that as well as each state thinking they are different in some way to those in another state.

Its a good arguement to trash the state government system and NORMALISE many areas, roads and transport, health and certainly education.

Those in the military are well aware of the price paid by their kids in terms of education when they are moved all around Australia. I know the Federal Government has made some steps to normalise education but its little and too late.
Author:  MINImal effort [ Wed Jan 10, 2007 5:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
An interesting question...

When I first put adjustable arms on my Clubman, ACT Rego queried there origin and when I said they where fitted by a reputable Steering Specialist they were happy - but this was the early 90's. (The Clubman was later registered as a Type 2 rally car due to half cage and had to remove the rear seat - and also ran a fibreglass front end - and the only thing they ever asked about that was "how do you open this?" )

After switching all the running gear to another standard body went from Hydro to Rubber with Hi-Los and no cage etc. After 7 years off the road and getting inspected for rego - again all ACT Rego were concerned about was that it was set too low.... however oil leaks also had to be fixed (engine out job) - and haven't quite got ready for re-inspection again ....

The problem with ACT Rego is they are never consistent..... so next time - anyone's guess...

Ken.
Author:  speedy [ Wed Jan 10, 2007 5:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
My car passed Regency, NSW Blue Slip, and a NSW Engineer with Hi-Los. In order to ensure that it complied with 1988 (it's year of manufacture) standards, it did need to have a screw fitted to ensure that the head rests could not magically slide out of the seat and spear somebody :roll: 8) .
Author:  Morris 1100 [ Wed Jan 10, 2007 6:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
I am sure that adjustable suspension would be OK.
K-Mac make a lot of non original suspension bits including adjustable kits for lots of modern cars without any fitment problems.

The big problem with rose joints on road cars is the way that they wear out very quickly, they can develop play in a couple of days. :shock:
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