Failed inspection (ride height)

[WinterKnoll]

So I'm 2" too low with my H&R Springs :smt017

Taking the car somewhere else...kind of a lame reason to fail inspection...

[Plays_with_Toys]

Really? That's wierd. On my eibach's I sit at the ride height of some lexuses and hondas and such that are stock. Subarus tend to be a pretty tall car from the factory.

What is the minimum height requirement?

[rougeben83]

worse comes to worse, you can buy those rubber spacers stockcar guys put in between the coils on the spring to jack up the car some...you can take them off after passing inspection :lol: (well...if they don't look too hard at your springs and go "hey wats dat huuur?" :neutral: )

[WinterKnoll]

Minimum is 16" to the bumper beam and I'm at 14" according to them (which I find pretty hard to believe, I don't think my H&Rs even lowered my car 2"...). I'm going to take it somewhere else, I have a feeling they were being doucheys.

[jjs316]

I thought it had to do with distance from the ground to the headlights..? for lifts and lowered..?

[WinterKnoll]

They told me to the bumper beam. I think it's to the bumper beam because if you get into an accident, they don't want your car going over or under another car.

[97legacygt]

How do they measure to the bumper beam? Take the bumper off? The bumper beam is completely covered unless you have steel external bumpers or no bumper cover.

[WinterKnoll]

How do they measure to the bumper beam? Take the bumper off? The bumper beam is completely covered unless you have steel external bumpers or no bumper cover.

Very good question...I don't have the slightest clue. Inspection wasn't sent to state database and therefore it wasn't flagged as failed for ride height...so I'm gonna take it somewhere else and hope for the best.

[SilentRacer]

huh? I've never heard of anyone even checking ride height during inspections.

[WinterKnoll]

So Exeter Subaru royally f***ed me in the ass because I was told that they submitted nothing to the state, yet apparently they did because everywhere I take tells me it has been flagged...They wrote me up for so much shit it's ridiculous...improper mounting of front license plate (the plate is there and secured well, just using zipties instead of bolts), bad brake pads (which they are not because I did them 5k miles ago, bad rotors, which also were done 5k ago, and then wrote me up for four bad struts and front bumper too low and rear bumper too low. Inspector comment read, "CAR LOWERED USING LOWERING SPRINGS AND STRUTS - MADE BUMPER HEIGHT TOO LOW TO PASS INSPECTION". So now I have a fun little project for this weekend...I get to swap springs TWICE!

[rougeben83]

So Exeter Subaru royally f***ed me in the ass because I was told that they submitted nothing to the state, yet apparently they did because everywhere I take tells me it has been flagged...They wrote me up for so much shit it's ridiculous...improper mounting of front license plate (the plate is there and secured well, just using zipties instead of bolts), bad brake pads (which they are not because I did them 5k miles ago, bad rotors, which also were done 5k ago, and then wrote me up for four bad struts and front bumper too low and rear bumper too low. Inspector comment read, "CAR LOWERED USING LOWERING SPRINGS AND STRUTS - MADE BUMPER HEIGHT TOO LOW TO PASS INSPECTION". So now I have a fun little project for this weekend...I get to swap springs TWICE!

I'm so glad I don't have to deal with annual inspections anymore. I feel guilty running a cat now, even though I've probably burnt through it from all the backfires :lol:

[evolegacy]

I'm so glad I don't have to deal with annual inspections anymore. I feel guilty running a cat now, even though I've probably burnt through it from all the backfires :lol:

same here, i'll probably have my exhaust mechanic take a peak at it this summer to see how its doin, still need to do a total exhaust swap because i am backfiring quite a bit, thinking the set up they did isnt matching well with the headers, oh well.

but back to topic, I have never heard of that law or whatever in NH, EVER! i mean, my old man's roommate has a dropped S-10, and i mean dropped to point of running flat, and it passes fine, he lives in hampton, i dont think there should be a difference in inspections

[decke48]

sad to see exeter subaru *** you over there usally great people

[impreza_GC8]

WHAT? That is just incredible. I have never heard of an inspection getting your redflagged before. I've failed once or twice before too, but the shop I get inspected by is owned by family friends. Thats still totally bogus and I guarentee my car is lower than yours and it has passed.

[WinterKnoll]

sad to see exeter subaru *** you over there usally great people


Yeah I was too...I've been taking my car there for inspections and other stuff for quite a few years again. Don't think I'll be back anytime soon...

A quick question, is it bad for my struts, if I've been riding in lowering springs for about a year now, to use them with my stock springs? I plan on throwing them on just for the inspection, but I'm leaving next week for Vermont and I'm wondering if I'm going to have time to swap the lowering springs back on (because I'm a huge n00b and it takes me forever).

[deadlydave]

That is absolutely insane. Total BS.

In NY I think it's taillights, thought I never got an inspection with my s-techs on, which were low enough to tuck all 4 wheels.

[Huffer]

I have no idea why you guys don't do any actual research:

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/saf-c3200.html


PART Saf-C 3203 GENERAL INSPECTION INFORMATION
Saf-C 3203.01 Items to be Inspected.
(a) The items to be inspected on a vehicle, which are described in detail in subsequent parts, shall include the following primary areas:

(1) Registration, plates, registration certificate and vehicle identification number;
(2) Steering, front end and suspension;
(3) Brakes, including parking brake;
(4) Odometer and speedometer;
(5) Electrical system, horn and defroster;
(6) Lights and reflectors, including headlight aim;
(7) Glass, glazing and mirrors;
(8) Wipers;
(9) Exhaust system;
(10) On-board diagnostics system;
(11) Body, chassis and bumper height;
(12) Fuel system; and
(13) Tires and wheels.

following:

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;

[deadlydave]

(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;

This must've never been done on any of my 1st 3 cars. They all had blown struts, and my legacy had a broken spring for 2+ years. I <3 NY? I think. If only we could get our blind governor to lay off approving traffic laws.

[impreza_GC8]

(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;
So lifted trucks can pass based on where the beam is in relation to the frame but lowered cars fail? I don't get it. I have friends with cars that are literally slammed and have always passed. Thats what you get for taking your car to a dealer to get inspected. Dealerships suck. Avoid them at all cost.

[Huffer]

(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;
So lifted trucks can pass based on where the beam is in relation to the frame but lowered cars fail? I don't get it. I have friends with cars that are literally slammed and have always passed. Thats what you get for taking your car to a dealer to get inspected. Dealerships suck. Avoid them at all cost.

You don't live in New Hampshire - that's where the inspections take place.