Blue slip

[Kinkstaah]

I mean, I got two VASS engineers to refuse to cert my own coilovers stating those very laws. Appendix B makes it pretty clear what it considers 'Variable Suspension' to be.

In my lived experience they can't certify something that isn't actually in the list as something that requires certification. In the VASS engineering checklist they have to complete (LS3/NCOP11) and sign on there is nothing there. All the references inside NCOP11 state that if it's variable by the driver that height needs to maintain 100mm while the car is in motion.

It states the car is lowered lowering blocks and other types of things are acceptable. Dialling out a shock is about as 'user adjustable' as changing any other suspension component lol.

I wanted to have it signed off to dissuade HWP and RWC testers to state the suspension is legal to avoid having this discussion with them. The real problem is that Police and RWC/Pink/Blue slip people will say it needs engineering, and the engineers will state it doesn't need engineering.

It is hugely irritating when aforementioned people get all "i know the rules mate feck off" when they don't, and the actual engineers are pleasant as all hell and do know the rules.

Cars failing RWC for things that aren't listed in the RWC requirements is another thing here entirely!

[GTSBoy]

South Australia, which is hardly as far behind as the rest pf Oz makes out, and who is also not a paragon of progressiveness (read that as over-legislation) in the area of vehicle standards, has this to say on the subject:

Adjustable coil-over suspension

Aftermarket adjustable coil-over suspension components are suspension units that incorporate an external thread on the main body and corresponding threaded spring saddle that allows the vehicle's suspension height to be varied.

If fitting aftermarket or coil-over suspension components you must submit an Application to modify a light motor vehicle form and a report from a light vehicle engineering signatory (LVES).

[PranK]

@Stringycheese hopefully this is helpful. 🤣

[Stringycheese]

Learned a bit @PranK

To add a twist to this take, I've done some further investigation and turns out I don't know if I even have coilovers. I have Mugen Showa on all corners, which appear to be struts / springs online.

Someone may be able to correct me if I'm wrong. 

[GTSBoy]

Judging by that spring perch and the normal looking spring on it - not a coilover. Well.... it is a coilover, just a stock format coilover, rather than what everyone calls a coilover.

[Murray_Calavera]

@Stringycheese 

Have you only gone to the one blue slip workshop? 

There will be a heap of them where ever you live, good odds that the next place you go to will pass the car. 

Unfortunately (or fortunately?) every blue slip / engineering workshop will be different and will be happy passing or failing different things - despite working from the same set of rules. It's kinda like 2 lawyers arguing over a piece of legislation, each saying their interpretation is correct. Might seem strange that this happens when it comes to getting a modified car passed, but this is very much a thing. A big part of the game is finding an engineer / workshop that is on the same page as you.

[MBS206]

2 hours ago, GTSBoy said:

Judging by that spring perch and the normal looking spring on it - not a coilover. Well.... it is a coilover, just a stock format coilover, rather than what everyone calls a coilover.

I have been being VERY quiet about what you're alluding to, as it is something that ticks me off... The number of cars from factory that run coil overs is HUGE! Most of them these days do...

The other part that annoys me, is people saying "Well all the incabin adjustable suspension is illegal by blah blah blah"... If that's the case, then why can I buy a car brand new that can do it if, FULL STOP in cabin adjustable suspension is illegal...

 

Also, I could just chuck some aftermarket shocks in my car, throw the stock springs on, after my blue slip, dump my super low springs back in. Same shock and spring style setup... Hell, they could also be the same colour springs etc.

 

 

I'm voting, BlueSlipper didn't want to touch the above car for some reason. Whether it be some sort of bias against the car, the owner, them maybe having previously done dodgy shit and now they're being super careful in case they get slapped in the face by the Gumbyment again...

Find a new blueslip place.

 

And can confirm as you had said, yes there are holy bibles of vehicle heights, and all sorts of other suspension stuff. Heck your run of the mill mechanic, and tyre shop has access to all of that stuff. It's how they do wheel alignments...

Edited July 19 by MBS206