Mandatory govt car inspection testing - lowered car
Discussion
I went in this morning to get my car tested for emissions and such, but my front end is lowered and there wasn't enough
ground clearance (without hitting or potentially damaging my front bumper) when the car was placed on the chassis test machine (those giant
rollers in the ground where the car's tires have to align between them, thus it gets lowered). Since my car is already lowered, if placed on those rollers, they said it might damage my front bumper but nobody knows for sure. Just to be safe, I said not to do the test then.
Now I'm wondering what alternatives I have to raising my front end just an inch or so. Instead of having to get stock suspension or changing out my springs to stock springs, I was wondering if using coil spacers (those rubbers ones that fit between the coils) could work for this situation? I'll only need them on for 5-10 minutes and then I'd take them off again after the testing.
I read that those could give about a 1 inch increase in ride height so that might be enough to give me enough ground clearance.
Would this work?
ground clearance (without hitting or potentially damaging my front bumper) when the car was placed on the chassis test machine (those giant
rollers in the ground where the car's tires have to align between them, thus it gets lowered). Since my car is already lowered, if placed on those rollers, they said it might damage my front bumper but nobody knows for sure. Just to be safe, I said not to do the test then.
Now I'm wondering what alternatives I have to raising my front end just an inch or so. Instead of having to get stock suspension or changing out my springs to stock springs, I was wondering if using coil spacers (those rubbers ones that fit between the coils) could work for this situation? I'll only need them on for 5-10 minutes and then I'd take them off again after the testing.
I read that those could give about a 1 inch increase in ride height so that might be enough to give me enough ground clearance.
Would this work?
No not in the USA. Regardless, I just need to raise my front end by about an inch. My car is ready to go for testing except that some of these platforms have a barrier the car has to clear and drive over else it can't get onto the testing platform. The minimum height clearance is 12 cm. My car's front end is about 10.5 cm - 11 cm. The sides and back are over 12 cm no problem. When I went in the morning, it was literally touching under the front bumper so couldn't do the test.
Decelerometer - often a Tapley meter.
"1.2 Service brake performance and efficiency
1.2.1 Performance
You must ensure that the vehicle is in a safe condition for the test to be carried out.
If the primary brake tester isn’t suitable for the vehicle’s drive configuration, transmission type or braking system, a full or partial decelerometer
test may be appropriate. You should take into account any additional information from the vehicle manufacturer."
and
"Using a decelerometer
1. If the vehicle or system can’t be tested on a roller brake tester, set up the decelerometer in the vehicle in accordance with the equipment manufacturer’s instructions
2. Drive the vehicle on a level road at a steady speed of approximately 20mph (32kph) and progressively apply the service brake to maximum.
Note whether the vehicle or steering pulls severely one way and the brake efficiency recorded."
www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/c...
"1.2 Service brake performance and efficiency
1.2.1 Performance
You must ensure that the vehicle is in a safe condition for the test to be carried out.
If the primary brake tester isn’t suitable for the vehicle’s drive configuration, transmission type or braking system, a full or partial decelerometer
test may be appropriate. You should take into account any additional information from the vehicle manufacturer."
and
"Using a decelerometer
1. If the vehicle or system can’t be tested on a roller brake tester, set up the decelerometer in the vehicle in accordance with the equipment manufacturer’s instructions
2. Drive the vehicle on a level road at a steady speed of approximately 20mph (32kph) and progressively apply the service brake to maximum.
Note whether the vehicle or steering pulls severely one way and the brake efficiency recorded."
www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/c...
cornflakes2 said:
No not in the USA. Regardless, I just need to raise my front end by about an inch. My car is ready to go for testing except that some of these platforms have a barrier the car has to clear and drive over else it can't get onto the testing platform. The minimum height clearance is 12 cm. My car's front end is about 10.5 cm - 11 cm. The sides and back are over 12 cm no problem. When I went in the morning, it was literally touching under the front bumper so couldn't do the test.
Why do you have tires then ? Only american cars have tires .so i think the basic issue is here the minimum allowable ground clearance is 12 cm.
Since my car is right at 12 and in some areas near the front is as low as 10-11 cm, I need to raise it up a bit.
I'm just asking if anyone has ever used coil spacers to stuff them in your coils as a quick and easy remedy for this problem?
I don't want to have to replace my lowering springs with stock springs or even just change them out for the test. I think sliding in those
rubber coil spacers is simpler and easier.
Anyone ever use those just to get some more ground clearance? I've never tried it before but theoretically and from what i've read
and seen in videos, they do raise the car about 1 inch so I'm thinking that makes sense.
Since my car is right at 12 and in some areas near the front is as low as 10-11 cm, I need to raise it up a bit.
I'm just asking if anyone has ever used coil spacers to stuff them in your coils as a quick and easy remedy for this problem?
I don't want to have to replace my lowering springs with stock springs or even just change them out for the test. I think sliding in those
rubber coil spacers is simpler and easier.
Anyone ever use those just to get some more ground clearance? I've never tried it before but theoretically and from what i've read
and seen in videos, they do raise the car about 1 inch so I'm thinking that makes sense.
cornflakes2 said:
some of these platforms have a barrier the car has to clear and drive over else it can't get onto the testing platform. The minimum height clearance is 12 cm. My car's front end is about 10.5 cm - 11 cm.
Is ground clearance part of the test, or is this just a practical obstacle? For the latter, can you just use a piece of wood as a small ramp to get you up the first inch?haggishunter said:
Ask them to test it the same way they brake test 4wd vehicles?
Here in Northern Ireland they do proper roller brake tests on all cars. None of that tapley nonsense.Given the coil spring spacers are cheap...and you dont want to fit new springs, just buy them and try.
They will make a difference, and it is only a small difference you are after.
GreenV8S said:
Is ground clearance part of the test, or is this just a practical obstacle? For the latter, can you just use a piece of wood as a small ramp to get you up the first inch?
Yes, ground clearance is part of the test....can't be lower than 12 cm. Mine is about 1-2 cm off. They won't allow me to use a wooden ramp or anything to alter the test since it's all on video camera. It's really stupid because the car drives fine, it's safe, their ramps are just weird...it has a massive dip onto the rollers and that's what gets my car in trouble.....if the rollers were just flat like doing a dyno or something, there would be no issues.Do you think I could just shape a wooden block between my coil springs and fit it in there to see if I get a 1 inch lift? I just need it for the test....then I'll take it off right away.
stevieturbo said:
Here in Northern Ireland they do proper roller brake tests on all cars. None of that tapley nonsense.
Given the coil spring spacers are cheap...and you dont want to fit new springs, just buy them and try.
They will make a difference, and it is only a small difference you are after.
Agreed. The only problem is they don't coil spacers where I'm at LOL. UGH! I have to import it from USA.Given the coil spring spacers are cheap...and you dont want to fit new springs, just buy them and try.
They will make a difference, and it is only a small difference you are after.
It takes a long time since most sellers don't ship directly to me and I have to use a re-shipper. Whole process could take about 2-3 weeks.
I believe once I am passed my due date for the test, each day costs me $15 up to $300 max.
Coil spring spacers are readily available all over ebay, very cheap, and accessible anywhere in the world I'd assume.
Cant see any reason why USA would be the only source...when quite clearly they are not.
You must be in one hell of a remote location if that easy purchase takes 2-3 weeks.
Cant see any reason why USA would be the only source...when quite clearly they are not.
You must be in one hell of a remote location if that easy purchase takes 2-3 weeks.
I'm in South Korea. It's PITA to get anything here. You'd think this country would have all the equipment and parts but the problem is the society is very regulated, stringent, and anal. Somebody probably has these but I can't find it for the life of me. I've checked on all websites, tuning shops, and people don't even know what the heck they are. They said all they do is reinstall the stock suspension and then after the test, put the aftermarket ones back on. That's korea for you. They don't know about simple and easy ways to do things. Nothing in this country makes any logical sense.
A year ago I had a problem with removing a wheel lock on my wheels. I didn't have the key for it since I bought the car used and the key didn't come with it. Again, I went to several shops, tuning places, nobody had a clue what the heck my wheel lock was. I had to buy the key off ebay in the US and have it shipped over here and I finally got them removed.
Anyways, I'm still waiting for my parts to arrive so I can try it out. In the meantime, I'm thinking about just buying some 2 dollar rubber hammers and cutting off the heads to shape them into rubber coil spacers and fit them in between the coils HAHA. I might try that and let you know if it worked!
A year ago I had a problem with removing a wheel lock on my wheels. I didn't have the key for it since I bought the car used and the key didn't come with it. Again, I went to several shops, tuning places, nobody had a clue what the heck my wheel lock was. I had to buy the key off ebay in the US and have it shipped over here and I finally got them removed.
Anyways, I'm still waiting for my parts to arrive so I can try it out. In the meantime, I'm thinking about just buying some 2 dollar rubber hammers and cutting off the heads to shape them into rubber coil spacers and fit them in between the coils HAHA. I might try that and let you know if it worked!
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