If your up for Rego in NSW - Read this.

[Zedn]

Your wish is my command. Look what I found:-

Google 'Vehicle Standards Bulletin 14.'

Click on VSB 14 - 9th June, 2009.

Scroll down and click onto VSB14.

Scroll down to NCOP10A (14 pages) & NCOP10B(10 pages) and there you have what to expect when you are inspected by the RTA in NSW.

I have found a few more surprises for my antagonists. Can't say too much, but I'm feeling quite good at this point in time.

Thats been posted up here before. I already have a copy that i am using as my build checklist. Great to know thats what they are using.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa.../vsb_ncop.aspx

[Baz]

I have established that TRW was the original manufacturers and suppliers of the Steering Racks for VC Commodores to G.M. They no longer operate in Australia and are now based in the U.K. I have also established that no specific scientific or engineering tests were carried out by them on any individual, unmodified VC Commodore Steering Racks supplied to GM.

This means that if I have to have my rack scientiffically examined for strength, torsion and flex, I will have no data in which to compare the results with. Question:- Will the RTA now require a recall of all VC Commodires to have their racks examined? I don't think so.

I have also received a couple of responses from R.M.C in Perth. My former contact was Bradley. He was fabulous, but unfortunately for them, has now left the Company. Instead I spoke to Mark who was as equally outstanding. He's only been with RMC for 8 months and couldn't supply me with adequate answers concerning the Engineering date for the modified VC Commodore Steering Rack which they produce for RMC and also G Force.

The owner of RMC and Westfiled Sports Cars is Richard Wheeler. He is currently holidaying in Europe so good ole Mark rang him over there to get my answers.

RMC have modified over 400 VC Commodore Steering Racks in 20 years and have never had a failure or an issue with them.

They modify them by removing the inside shaft from the outside casing and shortening the nearside end by 100mm. They then re-thread it, seat and insert the new Ball Joint Joint. The outside metal covering is then cut to size and re-welded. The main shaft is never cut so the strength of the rack has NEVER been compromised. Being 100mm shorter, it is actually stronger than the original un-modified rack.

Beejay mentioned the other day that the RTA monitor this Forum. I have been trying to get onto the RTA Inspector who is dealing with my application today to inform him of what I have learnt today. I have rang him several times on both his land line and mobile phone. I have left Voice Mail Messages for him to contact me without result.

Well Tony, if you'r reading this, please ring me. I have some other issues which I'm sure you will be interested in.

Baz

[Merv and Sharon]

In some ways, I hope authorities do read this Forum, at times like this. Coming from a police "service" it must be especially galling for you to see this overzealous use of regulatory power by the RTA. There needs to be a clean out of those guys to remove procedural bias that seems central to their operation.

[OZCOBRA]

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

In some ways, I hope authorities do read this Forum, at times like this. Coming from a police "service" it must be especially galling for you to see this overzealous use of regulatory power by the RTA. There needs to be a clean out of those guys to remove procedural bias that seems central to their operation.

DITTO TO THAT.......let the Federal minister MR.Albenese take a look at the length his overzealous representatives go to on a daily basis!!!!...
From all reports in Victoria when they formed their mobile enforcement group they actually had to employ from outside due to the lack of QUALIFIED Inspectors,so it would not be an unreasonable request to see the qualifications of the inspector.
All engineers and there businesses must display appropriate certification so let's see them boys
.....I'd like to take legal representation with me if I were to have to do what Baz is going through .....I'm sure they're whole demeanour would change and their BULLY-ISH attitude would be curbed sum what.....knowing that their processes were being MONITORED and scrutinised.....
Just a thought VIDEO THE WHOLE inspection....
It would be a worth while exercise in my way of thinking....I'm available for a small fee and you get a copy of the days event although i reckon your inspection would only be around 1 Hr now!!!

[Merv and Sharon]

They closed the Forum? Is that true? Free speech is a basis of our democracy. Also such inspection procedures need to be open to scrutiny and accountable

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

They closed the Forum? Is that true? Free speech is a basis of our democracy. Also such inspection procedures need to be open to scrutiny and accountable

Not really Merv... Just my weird sense of humour which I need at this time.


Baz

[OZCOBRA]

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

They closed the Forum? Is that true? Free speech is a basis of our democracy. Also such inspection procedures need to be open to scrutiny and accountable

....Only in QLD!!!!.........HELLO McFLY..

[BT SNAKE]

Baz,
Thanks for the invite. Mate's rates are always welcome.
I have the best time every time I go to Australia. I look forward to coming up to the northside and visit several Mates up there.
You ever get out Texas way Baz, you got a place to stay as long as you're here. My brother and I are building my new house and it is a month or so from being finished. I built on a nice shed too. It's 9X9 meters with a lavatory.

Hersh

[OZCOBRA]

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

Free speech is a basis of our democracy.

C'mon Merv,
Have a laugh at yourself!!!!!!
Seriously being an offshore Website how do you think this NANNY state could censor it...Common sense!!...sorry!!
And yes their processes are open for scrutiny they just need to be challenged at some point to make them accountable!!!

[Merv and Sharon]

Mc Fly is is! I had an idea that they may have contacted the moderator and ... well complained.

At least this thread has united the those with police force/service histories among us!

[Rebel1]

Baz, As far as I know the RMC rack has long been approved and accepted as long as it was stamped with an RMC number.

Keep your chin up mate and remember these low level bureaucrats can be beaten at their own game.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Rebel1

Baz, As far as I know the RMC rack has long been approved and accepted as long as it was stamped with an RMC number.

Keep your chin up mate and remember these low level bureaucrats can be beaten at their own game.

Thanks Les,

As I have said earlier, I have emailed RMC for further particulars. You state that:- " As far as I know the RMC rack has long been approved and accepted as long as it was stamped with an RMC number." Can you find out WHO approved and accepted it and let me know please?

Thanks

Baz

[Rebel1]

Baz, far as I know if you purchased a steering rack from RMC it should have an RMC number.

All my RMC sourced stuff has. Steering box, shortened rear lower arms and driveshafts, shortened and re-splined steering column etc..

I have within the last 30 minutes been under a mates RMC and checked his steering rack. His is also numbered.

Having said that. When I purchased mine an engineer called Jaime (can't remember surname) was the certifying signatory within the RMC organization. He was employed full time by RMC and he also tested and signed off on all the chassis tests they once conducted.

I don't know if it still applies but RMC in those days were an approved chassis test facility in WA.

[Rebel1]

I forgot to mention Baz. I think G-Force use the same steering rack, so maybe worth chatting to them also.

[Baz]

This thread is crap. It is a duplicate of the next thread and I didn't know how to delete it so I just blocked it out and put in this rubbish.

[Baz]

Its now been over a week since I had my car inspected. I rang the RTA Inspector early in the week, around Tuesday to find out what was going on and he told me he is still working on the report for my car and that he would ring me in the afternoon of Friday 4/6/10. It came 3.40pm and no word from him so I took the inintiative and rang him. He informed me that he was working on my report and was up to ADR 22. He further advised that he would ring me when his report was complete. He is going through each ADR thoroughly and seeing that there are 84 of them and he is only up to 22, I dont think I will be going to the Nats in October.

ADR 22 relates to seats. Back in late 2009 after I had my MX5 seats stripped down, speakers installed, additional padding installed and then upholsered in Connolly Leather, the relevant ADR was altered, yes the goal posts were changed midstream in that the required height of the back rest was changed from the normal 780mm to 850 mm. In other words, this made my MX5 Mazda seats illegal. In order to overcome this problem, I had two extension head rests constructed which fit perfectly over the top of the MX5 headrests. Today, the RTA Inspector informed me that those headrests were not acceptable and that I would have to strip my seats down, extend the internal frames so the actual seats complied with the ADR. He indicated that my additional headrests did not form part of the seat construction and were similar to 'Wood covers on golf clubs.'

I informed him that I had sold my roof and would not be fitting one in the future. His reponse was that even though my tenax fittings were still on the car, that it was CAPABLE of having a roof fitted, I would still need demisters, even though I told him that those tenax fasteners would only be used with my tonneau cover.

This is where we are at and we are only up to ADR 22. By the time we reach ADR 84 I might never recover. I have inserted a couple of pics of my MX5 seats before the additional headrest were manufactured and fitted and after. Judge for yourself.


Standard height MX5 seats which complied with pre 2009 ADR.


MX5 seats with additional headrest to comply with revised ADR 22 Backrest Height requirement.



Baz

[Zedn]

Thirdly I have emailed GM Head Office to establish and chase down the company who built the original VC Commodore steering racks. When this is forthcoming I will request that Company to supply me with details of the load, twist and torsion tests performed on the original VC racks, how the tests were performed and what were the results.

Baz i would try and get some answers from the inspector about specifically what testing they need. You might find they are interested in the durability of the modification rather than the initial performance (eg fatigue, corrosion resistance etc).

It might be worth just locating a mob that shorten steering racks (who have ADR approval) and getting a price from them to shorten another one. VC commodore racks arnt going to be overly expensive and depending on the method of shortening, it probably wont be that expensive. I know there are a few VC's at pick and payless at the moment.

Paying for specialized testing to be carried may be exy and it may require destructive testing. Also to have another shortened could probably be organised and completed in just a few days. For the sake of $500 or so its probably worth saving the hassle of chasing a manufacturer from the early 80's.

[Tenrocca]

Wow - looks like I might move to Qld. As big a PITA as it all seems Baz it doesnt look like there is anything there that is not workable. Keep your chin up mate - a few more dollars and a bit more time will see you out of trouble I reckon.

Anyone ventured to any of the clubman forums to see if they are having similar issues - surely a few of the "140" would come from there as well.

[boxhead]

Baz, talk with Les on the phone, I dont think your rack will be marked with an "E", I read his post as it should be stamped with a number? maybe part number by the supplier.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by boxhead

Baz, talk with Les on the phone, I dont think your rack will be marked with an "E", I read his post as it should be stamped with a number? maybe part number by the supplier.

Dave,

I have sent an email to RMC. Hopefully will have a satisfactory reply back soon.


Baz