So the age old question...... are lowering blocks legal for Australian Rego???

From my research they are legal in Victoria and S.A. but i can't find any definitive info on QLD or NSW.

So does anyone know for sure and certain wether they are or are not legal???

I've got to get my 120y registered within the next month and don't want to have to worry about taking out my lowering blocks from the back and then putting them back in after i get the roady done. It will look pretty ridiculous with the car being 2 inches lower at the front and the back sitting way up high......

So what do people know?

Cheers
Trav

when i went to get my ute rwc 3 years ago it had 3inch lowering blocks in it how i bought it anyway rocked up to the place as i get out of the car the guy looks under the car says im not even gunna take another look at it its too low dunno if it was cuz of the lowering blocks being illegal or cuz it was less then 100mm clearance anyway took them out 1hr job n then got the car on the rd n then put them back in but yeh its not a hard thing to take em out n put em back in n it wont matter if you drive it for a week or so with the arse end higher.

had 2" blocks under my ute pass rego no probs (nsw)

Yeah i guess i'm just a lazy a$$.

I will probably just take it down as it is and see what they say. If they cause a fuss then i will just take it home and pull the blocks out.

Thought it would still be interesting to find out if anyone knows for sure and certain though.

I believe in most states they are technically illegal but 99.9% of the inspectors don't care as long as you don't go below the 100 mm clearance rule. That's what i am making of what i am reading around the place.

Trav

i cant find anything relating specifically to lowering blocks, but here are the guidelines for qld and nsw.


nsw guidelines on suspension mods.

Suspension
Besides assuring a comfortable ride, a vehicle’s suspension system controls wheel movement for handling and road
holding. Manufacturers conduct extensive test programs to develop suitable suspension settings. Adjustments, such
as lowering the vehicle, can upset the suspension characteristics and cause unpredictable handling. Generally, roll
stabilizer bars, axle locating rods, upgraded shock absorbers or upgraded springs may be used provided they are
suitable for the vehicle and are properly fitted. However, the following suspension modifications are not acceptable:
�� Welding forged components such as stub axles or control arms.
�� Fitting longer, non-standard shackles to leaf springs.
�� Fitting any additional components or altering the suspension so that the wheels or tyres may contact any
component under the full range of suspension and steering travel.
�� Fitting any additional components or altering the suspension ride height so that any part of the vehicle other
than a wheel or tyre can contact the road in the event of a tyre deflation.
If major changes to the suspension (such as substitution of a non standard front cross member) are carried out, they
should be done under the strict guidance of an engineering signatory.

qld rules on lowering cars from light vehicle modification booklet.

Lowering or raising of vehicles
The road clearance of a fully laden vehicle must not be
less than 100mm measured at any part of the vehicle
other than the wheel rim or brake backing plates.
(This does not apply where a lesser clearance has been
specified by the manufacturer.)
When lowering or raising a vehicle body (front or rear),
the following additional restrictions are based on the
manufacturer's dimensions for the standard unmodified
vehicle while unladen:
• The ride height measured between the rubber bump
stop and the corresponding metal stop may be reduced
by no more than one third.
• The rebound travel measured between the rubber
rebound stop and the corresponding metal stop
(or the extension of the shock absorber for vehicles
without a rebound stop) may be reduced by no
more than one third.
Queensland Transport, All about modifications to motor vehicles, 2008
• Coil springs are to remain in locating seats on full
suspension droop without forcibly being removed.
In addition, the normal relationship between the front
and rear suspension heights must not be unduly affected.
Replacement springs (shorter or taller) must have the
same or greater load capacity as the original springs.
Suspension coil springs must not be shortened by cutting
or heating. Leaf spring suspensions must not be raised
by the use of extended shackles, adjustable metal plates
or by placing the leaf springs to the opposite side of the
axle. If lowering blocks are used, they must be either
steel or aluminium.
Airbag or air pressurised shock absorber helper springs
may be fitted in addition to the original suspension.
However, replacing some or all of the suspension system
with an air or hydraulic suspension requires specific
approval.

Thanks for that Pepper.

Yeah as suspected it seems they are fine as long as all the other rules are adhered to, mainly the 100mm clearance and also fitting any additional components or altering the suspension so that the wheels or tyres may contact any component under the full range of suspension and steering travel.

All good then. Good to know.

Cheers
Trav

you are alowed lowering blocks as long as they dont reduce the standard, top of bump stop to bumpstop plate, on the chassis, by more than 30%
and they cant be wood either hahaha