Passed Stability Inspection
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 538
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From: North NJ
Yeah, they used to count the number of threads coming out of the u-bolt nuts, needed a minmum of 4 or 5. Not that it makes a difference from an engineering standpoint but I guess it was meant to ensure that the ubolt nuts were fully engaged with the ubolts. The same was for body bolts if you had a body lift.
They only allowed one block in the rear, you needed to remove the stock one and replace it with the lift one. It sucked if you got a block from a lift kit that was designed to be stacked.
The one thing they never really checked, on me at least, was brake lines to ensure they were properly extended. I'm SURE that has changed by now.
-Chris
They only allowed one block in the rear, you needed to remove the stock one and replace it with the lift one. It sucked if you got a block from a lift kit that was designed to be stacked.
The one thing they never really checked, on me at least, was brake lines to ensure they were properly extended. I'm SURE that has changed by now.
-Chris
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
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I went to Asbury inspection. The ramp may be excessive due to the fact I could be driving a cherokee ( stock) and that could roll also. I ever have to turn extremly quickly most likely my truck will roll. It is physics. I do agree with the fact it allows the DMV to reject vehicles that are not safe. Many do not even bother with the inspection and go private. The only issue with that to me is liability. If you have your sticker showing you passed your inspection they cannot come back and say it was becuase of the vehicle not having been inspected. I would think a person could be liable if in an accident and they found no stability sticker. Also some cops in certain tyowns will pull you over to see if you have the inspection sticker. I feel if you think you cannot pass the inspection then maybe the vehicle is not road worthy.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
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Originally Posted by Big_Al59
I think you hit the nail on the head with the "worth their weight in gold" comment. Mostly as in gold $$$$ to the state treasury.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: VA
Originally Posted by VaSheriff
My state doesn't make anything in the motor vehicle inspection program. The entire fee of $16 per car every year goes to the independant inspection station who performs the inspection. They inspect for worn suspension parts, but it's not as wild and wooly as this "stability test" being discussed.
He passed.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
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Now see to me that is just to dangerous for that vehicle to be on the road. He could cause a major accident on a highway and other could be injured due to this kind of inspection. I agree NJ's stability test may be a little over board , but here in NJ many people are sue happy and it does protect you against a claim that the vehicle was not properly inspected and should have never even been on the raod. That is the reason I got it done. I can say though I was driving on the GSP this weekend and must have seen a dozen or so lifted trucks with no stability inspection sticker.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,790
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From: Mount Royal, NJ
Originally Posted by Big_Al59
I think you hit the nail on the head with the "worth their weight in gold" comment. Mostly as in gold $$$$ to the state treasury.
I just had mine inspected on Friday. No Problems. The lady had a problem finding my gas cap key, though, and she proceeded to remove my locking gas cap with her bare hands. She said most could be squeezed and twisted just right and they pop off. Left me with my jaw down. Told me to get one that is metal, not plastic, to be able to keep the real thieves out.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
Likes: 319
From: Whittier, CA
Originally Posted by VaSheriff
I'm not so sure about this stability testing, but motor vehicle inspections are worth their weight in gold. If you have ever seen the carnage on the highways up close and in 3D, you would agree. (I just made a rhyme!) You wouldn't believe some of the junk running up and down the highways.
Just my 2 pence.
Bill
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Whittier, CA
Originally Posted by njstevens
So Bpounds your saying that everyone should be allowed to do whatever they want to their trucks withut the State Govt prying into their business?
But the reality is, there are laws limiting what you are permitted to do to your vehicle. It's the annual inspections that I have a problem with. I live in CA and surprisingly we don't have any safety inspections on personal vehicles. Our safety record is on par with any other state. And we drive a LOT more.
Bill
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Elder User
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Well now as for driving more I am not to sure if it is more then people in Jersey but as far as I am concerned I feel as though all vehicles needd to be inspected. If I ever got into an accident with someone who's vehicle wasn't safe enough to be on the road and one of kids got hurt I would end up in jail as I would beat that person to an inch of their life. Safety is not only for the person who drives the vehicle it is for others who are innocent bystanders. As for the safety record of California that is a good thing I just would not want to be the person who got hit by someone because their vehicle was not safe enought to be on the road. If that were the case then snowmobiles should be allowed on highways along with ATV. Now that would not make very much sense.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
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Originally Posted by bpounds
For the most part, yes. It's called personal responsibility. You do something stupid and hurt someone, you are subject to litigation.
Bill
Bill
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Whittier, CA
Originally Posted by VaSheriff
So if some unemployed drunk who doesn't have a pot to **** in or a window to toss it out of puts a piece of junk on the road and kills somebody, he's subject to exactly what kind of litigation?
Cheers,
Bill
Postmaster
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Originally Posted by Slamdunkpro
Don't want to start a flame war but VA inspection (at least here in NoVA) is pretty much a joke. As long as the lights/horn/wipers work and the inspector can see even a smattering of brake pad you pass. I can't remember the last time they pulled a wheel or even jacked up one of my vehicles. I was getting my car inspected this month and a guy went in ahead of me where there was so little tread that the cords were showing on his rear tires (tires are an inspection point) I could see the white cords from 25 feet away. He passed.
He passed.And the reason you can't recall the last time you have seen a wheel pulled is because of all these new alloy and custom wheels. You can see the caliper and brake pads without taking a lot of these wheels off the vehicle. Thank God! On my Excursion you don't have to pull the wheel to see the brake pads. My particular inspector rolls under the truck and looks at the brake pads from the back side of the wheel. And from the front side as well. I don't want them scratching my wheels and tightening the lugs up way beyond specs anyway.
This is what they are suppose to be doing, and had better be doing:
REQUIRED VIRGINIA OFFICIAL INSPECTION PROCEDURE
Each inspection consists of the following items – for further details consult the "Official Inspection Manual":
1. - REMOVE OLD INSPECTION STICKER.
2. - DRIVE VEHICLE INTO INSPECTION LANE.
3. - INSPECT BRAKES FOR:
Each inspection consists of the following items – for further details consult the "Official Inspection Manual":
1. - REMOVE OLD INSPECTION STICKER.
2. - DRIVE VEHICLE INTO INSPECTION LANE.
3. - INSPECT BRAKES FOR:
- Worn, damaged or missing parts.
- Worn, contaminated or defective linings or drums.
- Leaks in system, proper fluid level.
- Worn, contaminated or defective disc pads or discs.
(NOTE: A minimum of two wheels and drums must be removed from each vehicle at the time of inspection. Consult the official inspection manual for exceptions.)
4. - INSPECT PARKING BRAKE FOR:
- Broken or missing parts.
- Proper adjustment.
- Standard factory equipment or equivalent.
5. - INSPECT HEADLIGHTS FOR:
- Approved type, aim, and output.
- Condition of lamp, wiring and switch.
- Beam indicator.
6. - INSPECT OTHER LIGHTS FOR:- Approved type, proper bulbs, condition of lenses, wiring and switch.
- Aim of fog and driving lamps.
- Illumination of all lamps, lens color, and condition of lens.
(NOTE: Every vehicle must have a rear lamp showing a red light to the rear, a white light illuminating the rear license plate; vehicles over 7 feet wide or extending 4 inches or more beyond the front fender extremes must be equipped with approved clearance lamps and reflex reflectors. Count load in measuring.)
7. – INSPECT SIGNAL DEVICE FOR:
- Approved type, proper bulbs, condition of lenses, wiring and switch.
- Correct indications and tell-tale (visual or audible).
- Illumination of all lamps, lens color, and condition of lens.
8. – INSPECT STEERING & SUSPENSION FOR: (Jack up front end as shown in Manual)
- Wear in bushings, kingpins, ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rod ends.
- Looseness of gear box on frame, condition of drag link and steering arm.
- Play in steering wheel.
- Wheel alignment and axle alignment.
- Broken spring leaves, and worn shackles.
- Shock absorbers.
- Broken frame.
- Broken or missing engine mounts.
- Lift blocks.
9. – INSPECT TIRES, WHEELS & RIMS FOR:
- Condition of tires including tread depth.
- Mixing radials and bias ply tires.
- Wheels that are cracked or damaged so as to affect safe operation.
10. – INSPECT MIRROR FOR:
- Rigidity of mounting.
- Condition of reflecting surface.
- View of road to rear (Truck mirrors must extend at least halfway beyond edge of body) – (Visibility 200 feet to rear).
11. – INSPECT HORN FOR:- Electrical connections, mounting and horn button.
- Emits sound audible for a minimum of 200 feet.
12. – INSPECT WINDSHIELD AND OTHER GLASS FOR:
- Approved type safety glass.
- Cloudiness, distortion or other obstruction to vision.
- Cracked, scratched or broken glass.
- Stickers. ALL UNAUTHORIZED STICKERS MUST BE REMOVED.
- Sunshading material attached to the windshield to ensure it does not extend more than 3 inches downward from the top of windshield, unless authorized by Medical Waiver Certificate.
- Operation of left front door glass.
13. – INSPECT WINDSHIELD WIPER/DEFROSTER FOR:
- Operating condition.
- Condition of blade.
14. – INSPECT EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR:
- Exhaust line-manifold, gaskets, pipes, mufflers, connections, etc.
- Leakage of gases at any point from motor to point discharged from system.
15. – INSPECT LICENSE TAGS FOR:
- Illumination of rear plate.
16. – INSPECT HOOD AND AREA UNDER THE HOOD FOR:
- Operating condition of hood latch.
- Presence of emissions system -Evidence that any essential parts have been removed, rendered inoperative or disconnected.
- Fluid levels that are below the proper level
1. Brake fluid.
2. Power steering fluid. - Power steering belt - proper tension, wear, or absence.
17. – INSPECT AIR POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEM (1973 and Subsequent Models) FOR:- Installation.
- Operation.
(NOTE: This includes the catalytic converter and the fuel tank filler pipe.)
18. – INSPECT DRIVER’S SEAT FOR:
- Anchorage.
- Location.
- Condition.
19. – INSPECT SEAT BELTS FOR:
- Approved type.
- Installation.
- Any defects in the air bag system noted by the air bag readiness light, or otherwise indicated; or
- The air bag has been deployed and has not been replaced (and is not deactivated because of a medical or other exemption and a notice is posted to indicate that it has been deactivated); or
- Any part of the air bag system has been removed from the vehicle; or
- If the air bag indicator fails to light, or stays on continuously.
21. – INSPECT DOORS AT THE RIGHT & LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER’S SEAT FOR:
- Handle or opening device which will permit the opening of the door from the outside and inside of the vehicle.
- Latching system which will hold door in its proper closed position.
22. – INSPECT FUEL SYSTEM FOR:
- Any part that is not securely fastened.
- Liquid fuel leakage.
- Fuel tank filler cap for presence.
23. – INSPECT FLOOR PAN FOR:
(a) Holes which allow exhaust gases to enter occupant compartment.
(b) Conditions which create a hazard to the occupants.
24. – ISSUE STICKER:
(a) If approved, place approval sticker on the vehicle, and give pink copy of certificate to operator.
(b) ALL DEFECTS MUST BE CORRECTED AND THE VEHICLE REINSPECTED WITHIN 15 DAYS.
THE DRIVER MAY BE IN JEOPARDY OF RECEIVING A SUMMONS FOR ANY DEFECT STILL
PRESENT ANY TIME THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED ON THE HIGHWAY.
(a) Holes which allow exhaust gases to enter occupant compartment.
(b) Conditions which create a hazard to the occupants.
24. – ISSUE STICKER:(a) If approved, place approval sticker on the vehicle, and give pink copy of certificate to operator.
(b) ALL DEFECTS MUST BE CORRECTED AND THE VEHICLE REINSPECTED WITHIN 15 DAYS.
THE DRIVER MAY BE IN JEOPARDY OF RECEIVING A SUMMONS FOR ANY DEFECT STILL
PRESENT ANY TIME THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED ON THE HIGHWAY.
(NOTE: The validity period of the rejection sticker shall include fifteen (15) days in addition to the day of the inspection.)
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
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Originally Posted by bpounds
Well, we'll just have to disagree. You welcome government "protection", and I think the government will just screw it up. Bill
Up to the point of a 8,000 pound Excursion with no brake pads and slick tires running into my wife's car killing her and my children. You give up many rights when you decide to operate a motor vehicle on the public highway with other drivers. And I am sure you have heard it many times before now... the operation of a motor vehicle on public highways is a privilege, not a right. You have to play by the rules each state adopts.