Roadworthy pain

[reeksyofoz]

It seems that registering a Victorian car in Qld ain't that easy

Having moved cars from Qld to Tas to Vic with nowt but a simple checkover, trying to get a car back into the sunshine state is a bit like trying to kayak to NZ ... looks easy enough on paper, but turns out to be quite painful

They have to do modification plates for:

• LPG (which they claim isn't fitted to Qld standards so needs $ throwing at it)
• long range tank
• Conversion to 2-seater

A slight weep from the pinion on the county front diff. isn't good enough so i've got to replace that.

And then the expensive item on the list... Pitman arm and leaking steering box. Once i'd undone the retaining nut (which had come fairly loose) and was wrestling with the split pin to the drag link, the arm literally fell off! A rather unhappy looking spline sits beneath, so i'm guessing there's nothing for it but a reco. steering box.

$160 for the pitman arm
$900 for the steering box from British Off Road -

Anyone know if those prices are typical or am I likely to find things cheaper elsewhere? I can't seem to find any online catalogues.

[JDNSW]

I paid less than that for a new box including pitman arm from All Four x 4, but that was a couple of years ago (and on special). Can't remember exactly, but I think it was a bit over $600.

John

[reeksyofoz]

Thanks - site says they do them from $650 exchange ... so gotta be worth a call.

[Bigbjorn]

It seems that registering a Victorian car in Qld ain't that easy

Having moved cars from Qld to Tas to Vic with nowt but a simple checkover, trying to get a car back into the sunshine state is a bit like trying to kayak to NZ ... looks easy enough on paper, but turns out to be quite painful

They have to do modification plates for:

• LPG (which they claim isn't fitted to Qld standards so needs $ throwing at it)
• long range tank
• Conversion to 2-seater

A slight weep from the pinion on the county front diff. isn't good enough so i've got to replace that.

And then the expensive item on the list... Pitman arm and leaking steering box. Once i'd undone the retaining nut (which had come fairly loose) and was wrestling with the split pin to the drag link, the arm literally fell off! A rather unhappy looking spline sits beneath, so i'm guessing there's nothing for it but a reco. steering box.

$160 for the pitman arm
$900 for the steering box from British Off Road -

Anyone know if those prices are typical or am I likely to find things cheaper elsewhere? I can't seem to find any online catalogues.

You don't have to have a modification plate for seat removal if the removal of the seats is "temporary". Indeed you do if the removal is of such a nature that the seats may not be readily refitted. Check your compliance plate. It notes seating capacity and a permanent variation is a change of compliance and has to be certified.

The long range tank? Get a standard one and refit. Bung the big one back in later.

The gas installation. Get the Qld. requirements from the Government Gas Examiner's Office. You may find little needs to be done.

The oil leak. QT has been savage on oil leaks for a long time. Motor cyclists think this is a damn good idea, as does the environment.

Qld. Safety Certificates are no more difficult to obtain than any other states, maybe even less difficult than NSW and WA. Sounds like they have done you a favour by finding the bad steering.

[reeksyofoz]

You don't have to have a modification plate for seat removal if the removal of the seats is "temporary". Indeed you do if the removal is of such a nature that the seats may not be readily refitted. Check your compliance plate. It notes seating capacity and a permanent variation is a change of compliance and has to be certified.

The long range tank? Get a standard one and refit. Bung the big one back in later.

The gas installation. Get the Qld. requirements from the Government Gas Examiner's Office. You may find little needs to be done.

The oil leak. QT has been savage on oil leaks for a long time. Motor cyclists think this is a damn good idea, as does the environment.

Qld. Safety Certificates are no more difficult to obtain than any other states, maybe even less difficult than NSW and WA. Sounds like they have done you a favour by finding the bad steering.

I wasn't arguing that none of it was relevant ... just that it was rather stringent.

The seat removal isn't temporary - I have a water tank, draws etc in their place - engineer certified in VIC already

Standard tank is in storage and it's not worth the hassle of getting it out and going through the palava.

LPG has a VIC compliance plate on the bulkhead.

Oil leak isn't a problem for anyone - it's not even enough to leave a patch on the driveway.

I was aware of the steering already, just annoyed at the $ it will cost to rectify.

[reeksyofoz]

I paid less than that for a new box including pitman arm from All Four x 4, but that was a couple of years ago (and on special). Can't remember exactly, but I think it was a bit over $600.

John

Great recommendation thanks John - All 4x4 are still doing brand new adwest boxes with pitman arms attached, listed at $990, but my tip for the day for anyone looking for a steering box is to find their listing on ebay and put in a lower offer.

[isuzurover]

I bought a 2nd hand disco box for my 110. Cost $220 from Linnrover (Wreckers over here). The box was like new.

The mod plates for the seats and LR tank should be a piece of cake - just $$$

[Bigbjorn]

I wasn't arguing that none of it was relevant ... just that it was rather stringent.

The seat removal isn't temporary - I have a water tank, draws etc in their place - engineer certified in VIC already

Standard tank is in storage and it's not worth the hassle of getting it out and going through the palava.

LPG has a VIC compliance plate on the bulkhead.

Oil leak isn't a problem for anyone - it's not even enough to leave a patch on the driveway.

I was aware of the steering already, just annoyed at the $ it will cost to rectify.

If the engineer who did your Victorian mod. plates is an "authorised person' with Qld. Transport then you will be ok. If not, then you have to have a Qld. one do it again.

LPG rules are a state matter so get the copy of the rules like I said and check your installation against them. A QLD. licenced gas installer/inspector will have to check the installation. You may not have to do much.

As to oil leaks, if the inspector can see a fresh seep, then you have an oil leak, no matter how small. Your leak may be insignificant to an owner of a Land Rover, British motor cycle, or God help us, anything made by Rolls-Royce, but it is a leak and must be fixed.

[JDNSW]

.......
As to oil leaks, if the inspector can see a fresh seep, then you have an oil leak, no matter how small. ......

A thorough degrease before the inspection is a worthwhile precaution!

John

[Bigbjorn]

A thorough degrease before the inspection is a worthwhile precaution!

John

This can be a double edged sword. Can make a leak easier to see. Generally a good idea though. Stop and crawl under just before you reach the inspection station and carefully wipe any known leaks can work. I have been through this on several occasions now and most inspectors are fairly reasonable but anything that can be seen to have a drop or a run, not just a moist seep is a no-no.