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How to get a mini over the pits?!?!
https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4585		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  BeanMe [ Sat Feb 05, 2005 10:28 pm ]
Post subject:  How to get a mini over the pits?!?!
Hey guys
I just wanna know how do i get my new baby over the pits. Like what sort of stuff do they look for and what are they/ arent they picky on. i would like as mcuh advice as possible please. I live in Perth but everyones feedback and expereinces would be great

[I got a Leyland Clubman [9/77] LS 998cc in almost 100% original condition. Needs alot of cleaning up, including a patch of rust on passenger side near door, on floor pan. Needs welding up as gone thru in a few places but thats all the rust to speak of i hope. I am gonna sell my Clubman S soon so before i sell it [ i put alot of work into this one so know my minis fairly well], i wanna know what i need to do to make sure she passes first time.]

Thanks
Author:  BeanMe [ Sun Feb 06, 2005 10:04 pm ]
Post subject:  pit mini
C'mon guys

Surely some of you have had some experience with the different registration centres across australia. What is the general consensus and what are some tips to get them over first time...
Author:  drmini in aust [ Sun Feb 06, 2005 10:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
Fix the rust!
Check all the lights, wipers, washers & horn work properly
Check the balljoints and wheel bearings are not loose
Make sure it stops fast and straight
Make sure handbrake works on both rear wheels
Check exhaust for leaks, if muffler looks rusty either paint it silver or replace it
Check the heater/demister works.
Fit decent tyres
The emission control plumbing on a `77 including air pump and lines `should' be installed and working. But, it depends how picky they feel and whether they know this anyhow. :wink:
Author:  jill200sx [ Sun Feb 06, 2005 10:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
I havent taken mine over yet, but my checklist reads something like:
Wipers working, good blades. Wiper washers working, both jets.
All lights, indicators, high/low beam, parks. Reverse light, brake lights. Interior light.
Steering, no looseness. No wheel bearing play.
Brakes working well.
No oil leaks, they usually pick on that, give it a good degrease just before licensing if necessary.
Tyres legal.
Rust, none (or you might get away with minimal).
Windows and doors should all be working.
Mirrors, dash guages.
Compliance plate

Hopefully that does it. They take it for a road test I believe so it needs to drive reasobly well. (No stuffed shocks etc)
Author:  BeanMe [ Sun Feb 06, 2005 10:20 pm ]
Post subject:  pits
Good start...
If the exhaust pipe from the manifold to the mufler looks rusty but hasnt got holes in, could i jsut slop some rustkill on it and give it a clean or should i paint it/ get a new one :(

With the rust on the floor pan, i obviously gotta get a professional to weld it, is it then ok to spray it with body deadener, do they get suspicous when theres new body deadener around the whole car?...
Author:  drmini in aust [ Sun Feb 06, 2005 10:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
They used to (in NSW) put the car on a hoist or over a pit, then try and poke a screwdriver up thru the floor or sills... :shock:
OK for ex pipe to be rusty, if no holes. Muffler usually rusts out first. :cry:
Author:  BeanMe [ Sun Feb 06, 2005 10:27 pm ]
Post subject:  pits
i find it amusing that the drive line of the car needs to be pretty spot on when we arent supposed to be even driving it on public road without it being licensed hence one must break the law to test those handbrake lines and make sure those brake drums stop in time! Thanks doc for ur help.... i hope this doesnt turn out to be a nightmare...
Author:  Dylans Clubby [ Sun Feb 06, 2005 10:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
make sure you go to a place that doesn't know about minis! i went to 3 places before i got my 78 clubby S roadworthied. the first bloke knew that this model needed the pollution gear, which makes them run worse! and they are VERY picky on this if they know about it!!!
Author:  drmini in aust [ Mon Feb 07, 2005 5:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: pits
BeanMe wrote:
i find it amusing that the drive line of the car needs to be pretty spot on when we arent supposed to be even driving it on public road without it being licensed hence one must break the law to test those handbrake lines and make sure those brake drums stop in time! Thanks doc for ur help.... i hope this doesnt turn out to be a nightmare...

A good start with the handbrake is to jack the rear of the car off the ground, then adjust the cables so the wheels have equal resistance to turning.
If you can't get it so, check the brake adjustment, and linkage in the drums, quadrants on rear arms, etc for binding. :wink:
In NSW I think it's legal to drive it `to a place of repair' or to get tested. But it's a grey area. Good idea to write yourself a `to whom it may concern' letter beforehand, detailing the time and route to be taken. Just in case Plod pulls you up, as some would.. :lol:
Author:  bnicho [ Mon Feb 07, 2005 12:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
Add make sure your shocks aren't leaking, and you CV boots are not split.

I've bogged small holes in the floor before and undersealed over the top and the car has passed.

The best way in Vic seems to be leave something minor for them to fail you on. (eg: washer jets) so they find something to fail you on and are satisfied. So you bring it back the next day, show them the minor fault is fixed and they write out the certificate. :)

My Gemini was absolutely spot on and the inspector couldn't find anything to fail it. So they failed it on the boot lid. It had a spoiler on it, which meant it didn't always stay up when the boot was open. Inspector reckoned it was adngerous - might fall on my head when loading teh boot. I fitted a gas strut and the inspector was happy.

The van passed first time! :)
Author:  Lillee [ Mon Feb 07, 2005 12:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
No Worries, do as some have suggested. Take it to several places if you don't get it first time.

For my car, i had split pot joint rubbers on both sides, a huge exhaust leak on at the joint between extractor and main pipe, no washer bottle let alone water jet that works and it passed!

I just told him all the problems upfront and just said, dude I got alot of work to do on the car and I know it, i just need it on the road to get to the places that I need to get it done at. He knew minis as well, and he said, ok so long as you get em done. He was a champion about it all and I got my slip.

Anyway I got them all fixed week after anyway, but yeah, go figure.
Author:  czerial [ Mon Feb 07, 2005 4:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
i want to see pictures of your LS!!!!
Author:  9YaTaH [ Mon Feb 07, 2005 6:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Permit
drmini in aust wrote:
BeanMe wrote:
i find it amusing that the drive line of the car needs to be pretty spot on when we arent supposed to be even driving it on public road without it being licensed hence one must break the law to test those handbrake lines and make sure those brake drums stop in time! Thanks doc for ur help.... i hope this doesnt turn out to be a nightmare...


In NSW I think it's legal to drive it `to a place of repair' or to get tested. But it's a grey area. Good idea to write yourself a `to whom it may concern' letter beforehand, detailing the time and route to be taken. Just in case Plod pulls you up, as some would.. :lol:


Good tip about handbrake balance Doc...down here I believe you need to get a permit to take you unregistered whatever to a place of repair. It lasts for several days (AFAIR) so there should be no arguments with the boys in blue......
Author:  bnicho [ Mon Feb 07, 2005 6:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
In Victoria you have to get a permit to take it for the RWC or to Vic Roads to register it. (Permit last for up to 30days - abour $30). Then they charge you another $28 just to make an appointment to register a used car!! :x
Author:  drmini in aust [ Mon Feb 07, 2005 7:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
I bought a S/H caravan last year up the mountains. It was unregistered but I had all the papers for previous 5 years.
RTA wanted me to take it to a local garage, get a pink slip, then go & pay them $$ for a permit just to tow it home.
As if.... 8)
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