Renault with cut springs...

[evan]

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Renault with cut springs does it need to be certified?  No adjustable coil overs just cut springs. Er, I must add, lowered out of factory.  It is a twenty year old car.

[Chris]

Jan 23, 2020 18:54:11 GMT 12 evan said:

Renault with cut springs does it need to be certified?  No adjustable coil overs just cut springs. Er, I must add, lowered out of factory.  It is a twenty year old car.

Hi Evan

Sorry I don't know what you mean by "lowered out of factory"?

This is the threshold document that describes which modifications do not require certification
lvvta.org.nz/documents/suplementary_information/LVVTA_LVV_Cert_Threshold.pdf

I've copied the part specifically relating to your question and underlined the section regarding cut springs from the document

Springs and shock absorbers 
    after-market springs or shock absorbers, including those that raise or lower the vehicle, are direct replacements, and: 
        replacement springs are contained within unmodified OE seats throughout full suspension travel, and 
        replacement springs are self-retaining in their seats at full extension, without the use of non-standard devices such as wire-ties, straps, or external spring locators, and 
        replacement springs have not been heated or cut, and 
        springs and spring seats are not height adjustable by any means (unless OE), and 
        suspension maintains sufficient travel for safe operation when fully laden, and 
        suspension components maintain sufficient clearance from unmodified bumpstops when fully laden, and 
        a minimum of 100 mm ground clearance (un-laden and without driver) exists below any part of the vehicle structure, or any steering, braking or suspension component
                    (does not include such items as exhaust pipes and exterior body panels that do not contribute to the structural strength of the vehicle), and 
        the normal relationship between front and rear suspension height is not unduly affected.

In short, cut springs are a modification that does require certification and modified springs can only be certified when they meet the requirements in the standard.
lvvta.org.nz/documents/standards/LVVTA_STD_Suspension_Systems.pdf

Coil spring modifications 
    2.2(19) Coil springs fitted to a low volume vehicle must not be modified for the purpose of changing the vehicle’s ride height unless either: 
        (a) the spring is modified by a recognised spring manufacturer, and the configuration of the modified spring ends match the end configuration of the original spring; or 
        (b) the spring: 
            (i) fitted to the vehicle in its original configuration had plain unground ends; and 
            (ii) no heating was used during the modification process.

Cheers

Chris

[evan]

i meant lowered in the factory before the car is rolled out on to the truck then put on sale.

[evan]

okay so i need to certify the vehicle - but if the car was intended that way when it left the factory then no.

nobody said anything, nobody from vtnz, I was unaware. I asked the same question and he goes on about a 20mm clearance or something.

[Chris]

I've never heard of any vehicle leaving the factory with cut springs. Maybe a photo of the spring that clearly shows the cut will help us understand.