lowered suspension

Fri Jun 5 13:09:41 PDT 2009

I am bored on a rainy Friday, so checked and found the specs they are inspecting to - basically, the bottom edge of the bumper has to be
higher than 16 inches off the ground. See below, from http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/Rules/saf-c3200.html . I'm not sure what they consider
the bottom edge of the Audi bumper, as on my 2004 A4, there is no discrete 'bumper', just a front valence panel. It is less than 12" from the 
ground at it's lowest point with the stock Sport Package. Good thing I don't live in NH!

Saf-C 3211.07  Steering, Alignment and Suspension.

(a)  A vehicle shall be rejected if:

(1)  A spring, strut or torsion-bar height does
not meet the manufacturer’s specifications or there is a broken spring leaf,
spring shackle, coil, sway bar or any connecting part;

(2)  On the bounce test, the vehicle continues to
oscillate for more than 2 cycles, except on vehicles equipped with gas-pressurized
struts or shock absorbers, which show more oscillation than conventional,
non-pressurized struts or shock absorbers;

(3)  The suspension has been altered, and the
bottom edge of the horizontal bumper bar:

a.  Is less than 16 inches or more than 20 inches
above level ground on a passenger vehicle;

b.  Is less than 16 inches or more than 30 inches
above level ground on a multipurpose passenger vehicle; or

c.  Is less than 16 inches or more than 30 inches
to the bottom of the front or rear frame rails of a light-duty truck, measured
where the bumpers would be attached by the manufacturer;

(4)  The vehicle is misaligned from linkage
looseness or suspension damage that affects the safe operation of the vehicle;

(5)  The wheel camber, caster or toe-in exceed the
manufacturer's specifications, that affects the safe operation of the vehicle;

(6)  Steering wheel lash or free-play exceeds 3
inches of total movement at steering wheel rim or 2 inches on power-steering
equipped vehicles, before the front wheels or the steering wheel moves, except
those designed for handicapped operators, is not circular or equivalent in size
and material strength as approved by the manufacturer;

(7)  The front wheels cannot be turned from full
right to full left lock without binding or interference;

(8)  Shear capsule, if any, on energy-absorbing
steering column is separated from bracket, there is general looseness of the
steering wheel and column or the steering wheel and column can be moved as a
unit;

(9)  Steering box is loose, power steering fluid
level is insufficient, or visual observation reveals obvious defects in a belt,
hose, connection, component part or mounting which could result in failure;

(10)  Steering linkage free-play exceeds the
manufacturer’s specifications or is:

a.  In excess of 1/4 inch, for wheels 16 inches
or less in diameter;

b.  In excess of 3/8 inch, for wheels 17 or 18
inches in diameter; and

c.  In excess of 1/2 inch, for wheels over 18
inches in diameter;

(11)  Any wheel bearing exceeds the manufacturer's
tolerance for looseness;

(12)  Any ball joint is broken, cracked or
separated; or

(13)  Any ball joint without a wear indicator has
movement in excess of the manufacturer's specifications. Movement shall be
measured with a pry bar, using only enough pressure to lift the wheel assembly
to prevent unnecessary ball joint replacement.
                                                                       Source.  (See Revision Notes at chapter heading Saf-C 3200) #8915, eff 6-22-07

 Dan D
Central NJ USA
'76 MGB Tourer
'65 MGB Tourer (Project)
NAMGBR #5-2328 
http://dans65b.blogspot.com/
http://dans76b.blogspot.com/
http://dansautoblog.blogspot.com/
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/dibiase/Working_MG_Gallery.html
http://dans-life-blog.blogspot.com/

________________________________
From: Kent McLean <kentmclean at comcast.net>
To: quattro <quattro at audifans.com>; 200 20v List <200q20v at audifans.com>; V8-list <v8 at audifans.com>
Sent: Friday, June 5, 2009 2:47:51 PM
Subject: lowered suspension

If you've been following along the "get 3 Audis inspected" game,
the new score is 1 for 3. :(

The V8 failed for 2 reasons.

1) Back-up lights don't work. I knew this before going in, and I think I have
a solution. I just need to get under the car and  run some wires from the
back-up light switch to the wires I found in the automatic transmission 
multi-function switch (gizmo) under the hood.

2) The car has been lowered. This I also knew, but I didn't know it was a
point of failure in NH. As Dave (at Steve & Dave's) said, he's seen trucks
that have been jacked up, but they would fail at his station.

Me: How high does it have to be?
Dave: "Stock."

I'm not sure how he judges that, but my questions now are:

a) How tough is it to replace the springs on all 4 corners? Remove the struts?
Screw up the alignment?

b) Can I get away with putting shims/spacers under the springs, to boost the
ride height to normal?  (To be returned to "normal" after the almighty sticker
has been applied.)

c) Anyone know what ride height is "normal"?

I'd prefer to keep the lowered suspension, but I don't want to have to do this
every year just to comply. Unless I find a "better" inspector. ;)

Summary: '91 200 needs rotors, bads, and an exhaust, '90 V8 needs a suspension 
and back-up lights. At least the A4 is OK to drive.

-- 
Kent McLean
1999 A4 Avant, V6 Tiptronic
1991 200 TQA #3, with mods
1990 V8 w/5-speed and other mods
gone: '91 200 TQA x2, '94 100 S Avant, '89 200 TQ "Bad Puppy"

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