Vehicle Standards | FACT SHEET

REQUIREMENTS FOR LOWERING OR RAISING VEHICLE RIDE HEIGHT

This Fact Sheet is intended to provide information on the requirements for the raising and lowering of the ride height of vehicles under 4.5 tonne Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM).
Introduction
A common modification undertaken by owners is to lower or raise the ride height of their vehicle. This is usually undertaken for reasons that include improving the appearance, handling, or for improved ground clearance for off-road operation of the vehicle. This type of modification is addressed by the Road Traffic Act and can be undertaken within allowable limits that result in a safe and legal vehicle. The Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructures Vehicle Standards section can advise the minimum legal height for your particular vehicle and can be contacted on 1300 882 248. Replacement coil springs must have: the same or greater load capacity as the originals sufficient force between the spring and its seat for it to remain correctly seated when the suspension is at full droop the same end shape as the original springs clearance between the coils when the suspension is at full bump. Lowering blocks may be used on leaf spring suspensions provided they are manufactured from steel, aluminium, or metal of equivalent strength and are positively located to the axle spigot hole and the spring centre bolt. It should be noted that the axle mounting U bolts are not permitted to be below the lower rim height. Rubber or other resilient bump stops must be provided where the suspension and/or axle are likely to bottom out or result in the spring being coil bound (i.e. no clearance between coils at full bump.) When the ride height of a vehicle is lowered, the vehicle must still comply with other legal requirements, for example: Lighting the lowering of the vehicle will affect the height of the vehicles lights and reflectors and these have to remain within specific legal boundaries. Care must be taken to ensure that the lowering of the vehicle results in the vehicle not complying with the legal requirements i.e. headlamps must be at least 500mm above the ground, measured from the centre of the light.

Lowering
A vehicle may have the suspension modified to attain a lower ride height, providing the suspension travel is not reduced by more than one third of the original manufacturers suspension travel and the vehicle retains the minimum legally required ground clearance. The minimum ground clearance must not be less than: any point in the width of the vehicle which is within one metre fore of an axle 100mm, and for the mid point between any two consecutive axles, the dimension in millimetres obtained by multiplying the distance in metres between those two axles by 33.33.

Aftermarket Suspension Units

Aftermarket front and rear suspension units are available that incorporate an external thread on the main body and corresponding threaded spring saddle that allows the vehicles suspension height to be varied. The adjusting of the threaded spring saddle varies the lower position of the spring and therefore, the vehicle ride height, but does not alter the amount of suspension travel. These are commonly known as coil overs. For these units to be an acceptable alternative to the original manufacturers suspension, they must meet the following criteria. They must: In addition, the original relationship between the front and rear suspension height should not be changed and therefore, the front and rear suspensions should both be raised or lowered by the same amount. have at least two thirds of the amount of suspension travel of the original suspension system fitted by the manufacturer of the vehicle have a rubber or other resilient bump stop to limit travel to ensure there is clearance between the coils when the suspension is at full bump incorporate a permanent locking device on the adjustment mechanism to prevent the adjusting of the suspension that results in the vehicles ride being less than that minimum legal height specified for that vehicle.

Coil springs must not be shortened by cutting and no suspension component is to be subjected to heating.

Verification of the above must be in the form of a report from a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPE). The report must specify the measured suspension travel of both the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) suspension arrangement and that of the aftermarket replacement. On receipt of an acceptable engineering report by Vehicle Standards, a Statement of Requirements will be sent to the owner detailing the modifications and any applicable conditions and the vehicle would be required to pass a roadworthiness inspection. Vehicle Standards has a comprehensive list of minimum suspension heights for the majority of vehicles and can be contacted on 1300 882 248.

General Requirements
When the ride height of a vehicle is raised, the vehicle must still comply with all legal requirements, including: Lighting the raising of the vehicle will affect the height of the vehicles lights and reflectors and these have to remain within specific boundaries. Care must be taken to ensure that the raising of the vehicle results in the vehicle not complying with the legal requirements. Mudguards There is a minimum height that the front and rear mudguards, or mudguards with mud flaps, can be above the road surface. For a vehicle with off-road capabilities, the distance from the mudguard/mud flap to the ground cannot be greater than 300mm and 230mm for other light road vehicles. If the vehicles ride height is raised when a tow bar is fitted, the height of the tow ball should be corrected to maintain its original height prior to the vehicle being raised. If you intend to raise the vehicle by over 50mm by either one or more of the three methods mentioned, then an application must be made to Vehicle Standards prior to the commencement of the modifications. A Statement of Requirements will then be issued identifying the vehicle, the intended modification and any applicable requirements, including a requirement for a report from a CPE. On completion of the work and certification by the CPE, the vehicle would be required to pass a roadworthiness inspection. A fee is payable for the inspection. The CPE would have to address the modifications, the stability, handling, braking ability and verify the modified vehicle can safely be driven on public roads. An application form can be downloaded at: http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/personal_transport/light_vehicles/a pplications.asp A list of Chartered Professional Engineers can be downloaded at: http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/pdfs/personal_transport/light_vehic les_pdfs/chartered_engineers.pdf

Raising
Vehicle ride height can be increased by any combination of the following three methods. However, it is important to note that a total lift of more than 50mm requires prior approval and a report from a CPE.

Tyres / Rims
The fitting of rims with a different diameter to those listed on the vehicles tyre placard is acceptable, provided that the overall diameter of the alternative rim/tyre combination is not greater than 15mm over the largest combination or 15mm smaller than the smallest combination specified on the vehicles tyre placard. If you intend to fit rim/tyre combination outside the 15mm limit, then an application must be made to Vehicle Standards for an Exemption from that particular section of the Road Traffic Act and a report from a CPE supplied with the application. Any replacement tyre fitted to your vehicle must also have a load capacity equal or greater than the minimum specified on the manufactures tyre placard.

Suspension
When raising the ride height of your vehicle by changes to the suspension, you must ensure that the original amount of rebound travel is maintained. The rebound shall be limited by the same method as the original manufacturer (i.e. limit straps or shock absorber full extension). The vehicle ride height cannot be raised by: Extended or adjustable shackle plates on leaf springs. Relocating a leaf spring on the opposite side of an axle to that of the vehicle manufacturer. Spacer blocks mounted above or below the coil spring. Wedges or blocks located between the coils. Spacer blocks mounted between the top of the suspension strut and vehicle body.

Further information Contact the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, Vehicle Standards Kateena Street, Regency Park SA 5010 PO Box 1 Walkerville SA 5081 Telephone: 1300 882 248 Facsimile: (08) 8348 9533 Internet: www.dtei.sa.gov.au This Fact Sheet is provided for information only. No responsibility will be accepted from the use of the information contained in this fact sheet.

Body Lift
The body of a vehicle can be raised by up to 50mm by the fitting of spacer blocks between the vehicle chassis and body at their mounting points. The blocks must be manufactured from steel, aluminum, or metal of equivalent strength. In some cases the steering shaft may have to be extended as well as longer brake hoses fitted. If there is any alteration or replacement of the original steering components, then the modification requires prior approval from Vehicle Standards and a roadworthiness inspection upon completion. A report from a CPE may be required.

MR1136

10/09

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