legality issue

[Brian Smith]

Will the eibach/kbys suspension combination alter my ride height enough to be an issue when i go to get the car state inspected?

 

[olympic]

No, it only lowers it a little, like 1". Infact if your current suspension is original, you may find that the car sits higher with the Eibachs.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Probably not.

That being said -- just to cover the bases -- understand that this is an internet car forum, and any advice anyone give you about the legality (or lack thereof) of anything regarding your car should be taken with a grain of salt unless they identify themselves as a legal professional with the credentials to back it up. Also, be weary of anyone's advice (mine included) if they don't reside in the same state as you, as countless motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, and what is legal in Mississippi may not be legal in Maryland (for example).

 

[Brian Smith]

I know the laws in maryland specify that the stock ride height must not be altered. But of course as we all know these aging original suspensions are beginning to look a bit "lowered". I think this is mostly to prevent the passage of ownership of cars that are ridiculously lowered, and would be obvious to the "professionals" that do the state inspections.
It is an interesting situation i find myself in: The front brakes are for s*it. I need to fix them for the inspection. I want to do it right (96 brakes). If I have to take off the knuckles in the front I might as well redo the whole suspension while it is all apart. I guess by this chain of logic i could rebuild the whole car...

 

[Mr Anonymous]

It can be a vicious cycle...

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

have you considered MOOG coil springs?

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?p=223779#post223779

My ride is VERY close to stock, and handles awesome.

 

[rangerj]

Why not go to the source and ask your question? Stop by an inspection facility, or your State Highway Patrol, and ask what is intended by the law regarding "lowering" a vehicle. What do they mean by "lowering"? Is there a tolerance, of say 90% of factory specified height? Do they have an official list of "factory height" (usually it is "bumper heght")?

The State must have some standard to go by, or else how would they know whether or not you are in violation of the statute prohibiting "lowering" the vehicle?

The above post is correct about all States being a little different in their Motor Vehicle Codes (laws). The few States that I am familiar with prohibit lowering the vehicle to the degree that it affects handling and other safety factors. If you install struts and springs that are intended to replace "factory" parts, and not specifically intended to "lower" the vehicle you should be OK.

That having been said, you still should ask an "official" what is the standard used in appling the law. An inspection station should have a list of those standards for every car subject to inspection, otherwise how do they determine if you lowered the vehicle? Do they just guess, or does the inspector use his/her own judgement?

You need more information. The State should have its laws posted "on-line". Go to the State web cite and look for your State's Motor Vehicle Code, and look for the laws regarding "modifying" a motor vehicle, or "prohibited vehicle modifications", or something along those lines. Once you know what the law is, then you can determine if your planned modification would be in violation of those laws. rangerj

 

[Bizzy]

While a phone call or visit is probably your best bet, you'd be surprised at what you can find out by doing a search on the internet for the info.

Here's some sites I found:

http://mva.state.md.us/default.htm

http://mva.state.md.us/AboutMVA/INFO/58000-04T.htm#index_appendix_A_cust

You may also be able to call AAA and find out the info you need to know.

 

[Brian Smith]

Once again I have been shown the way! Thanks!