ChevyKen

iTrader: (1)

Hey folks,

I have gotten into a dilemma.
As many of you know, I brought my ragtop IROC with me from the US to Norway - and today it was time for the technical inspection which we are required to take every other year for cars 4 years old and older.
Everything checked out perfect execpt two things. The first thing was loose bolts on the bottom end of the struts, which of course is an easy fix.
The second problem is more of a headache.
If your car is lowered with lowering springs here, they require that the springs are approved by for example Tüv. And, if I ever had a document showing that my Jamex springs are approved, I no longer do.
So my plead to you guys is - do any of you have any documentation that came with your lowering springs that indicate that they are approved (preferably by Tüv, but Im interested in anything) - then I would very much appreciate to hear from you.
At this point I don't even care if they are for Jamex or not, I just need a piece of paper to show these junk heads so they can apply the line "Approved Lowering springs" to my registration card...

I would be VERY Grateful for any help on this issue, as I would hate to have to go back to stock springs again...


Thanks a lot!


Ken

Kandied91z

iTrader: (7)

wow that isn't good......check with the companies as it might be quicker.

nolanr0413

how did they find out you have lowering springs?Why did you tell them , tell them its the stock height of a camaro with a drop top. Just lie to them . i got sportlines. I dont remember a paper saything they were approved , but i didnt look very close. I check it out .

ChevyKen

iTrader: (1)

Just got a reply from Jamex, turns out that since it cost a lot of $$$$ to get a Tüv approval, they only did that to springs sold to cars largely in the european market as this is where they care about that crap! So, naturally, springs for the thirdgens are not Tüv approved..!

Basically that leaves me with three options:
1. Buy a set of stock springs
2. Buy a set of lowering springs from another vendor that is Tüv approved (i.e. Eibachs)
3. Get my hands on the documentation from a set of Eibach springs and tell them thats what I have and see how it goes.

At this point Im just p!$$ed that I all of a sudden have to document springs that I've had on the car for 3 years - that Im very tempted to simply go with option #3.
If not, I'll go with #2.

As for why did I tell them? I didn't.
The inspector/mechanic had the car on a lift and saw the red springs + that the car was so low he could hardly get it up on the lift and that = :nono: So he just stated that these are lowering springs, but it is not indicated in your registration card that they are approved - so Im going to have to mark that on the inspection paper. You have to have that fixed or you may get a ticket if you are stopped along the road for a technical inspection.
They have gotten extremely strict here on any additions like that and require a Tüv approval for "safety reasons"..! This also go for aftermarket steeringwheels and what not.


So, if anyone happens to have this documentation and don't particularily need it - I would be SOOOOO grateful to hear from you. Im sure we can agree upon a price!

I will also try my luck directly with Eibach.

Thanks again,


Ken

nolanr0413

hey ChevyKen i looked at all the paperwork that cames with my sportlines and i have no approval for tuv , i didint see any approval at all . I would give you the paperwork if i had what you needed but i dont. I dont know what to tell ya.

ChevyKen

iTrader: (1)

Hey, thanks a lot for checking on it man - I really appreciate it!
I looked through the Eibach website and it states that all their products for street use is Tüv approved.
I have inquired (Summit Racing since I found no email address on Eibach's site) as to wether any documentation comes with the springs or not when sold - but have not heard back yet.

Again, thanks for checking!


Ken

MYBLUZ

Should have stayed in the US.

92 zzz28

What about getting stock springs, and then trimming them some. That way if an inspector tries to give you crap, you can say, "**** on you, they're stock springs, facist"!!!! Just kidding. I can't believe that they care that much about whether or not your springs have an approval by that Tuv. BTW, what is the Tuv, like the DOT? Good luck with your approval paperwork...

scottland

909.256.8300

eibach
no email address i found, but call them, tell them your delima, but tell them you bought eibachs, and can't find your paper work, im sure they'll help you out

slammnmini

actually..a few US states have laws against ride height now a days too...i trailor my sdyme to shows n stuff...but my buddy got a ticket for havn an altered suspension...i would expect this goes for any vehicle..i'll ask em next time what state that was again

formul8!!

Hey Ken,

Better off switching to Eibach's and selling the Jamex to someone elsewhere where the rating doesn't matter.

jcurrieirocz

screw that jazz,,,,dont let them make you buy another set of springs. If i were you id look to see if dropzone springs are approved cause they are red too. I have a set but i didnt get any paperwork tho so i cant tell yah.
Go to another inspection station,,,and tell them you bought the car used with the springs already on and tell them you were told they were __???____ springs. paint them the color they are supposed to be. To do that right you may have to take them out.

Is it illegal to have cut factory springs?? Tell them they are factory springs cut but then you should paint them black.
Try see if dropzones are approved i had there website but i lost it.
Id BS them play stupid like you dont actually know what kind they are for sure your just going on what you have been told.

jcurrieirocz

cool found it:
http://dropzonesuspension.com/

Im sure you can find a better way of spending your money then to buy in to a cr@p law as that....whats next anyhow gessssss

ChevyKen

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys, thanks a lot for all the help and suggestions!

Well, this is how it is: I'm in touch with the company importing Jamex springs to Norway, and he said he'll see what he can do, but I have to get the numbers off the actual springs. I have not done that yet - but I will. Im not too optimistic on that one though.
He also told me that "Biltilsynet" (the authorities on vehicle safety) will check the brand/numbers on the springs against the documentation that I would provide.
So, basically this leaves me with only one option if the thing with the Jamex vendor here falls through - and that is to buy a set of Eibachs and be sure to get them documented.

Luckily I don't have to bring the car in for inspections until the end of January, or possibly April - so I have some time to try to get things sorted out.



Ken

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

This is the wierdest thing I have ever read. If anything lowering springs increase safety. Who cares if it is lower or not. Wow, and how does that guy know what color stock springs are? I geuss I do not see why they would care. Unless it is a money making thing. I would take them out and just paint them black. Unless they cross reference part nubers to see what springs you really have. Man, talk about being **** for no reason.

jcurrieirocz

it sounds like abig money scam,,,, they even charge manufatures alot of money for the approval...not only are they makeing the costomer go thru more garbage they ae charging the manufaturer lots of money to let the ppl of there city use there springs???? man sound like gangster territory to me hahaha!!

Id spend the extra money to take them out and paint them just to screw them over.
Paint them black is my final vote,,,,,,and if they do ask tell them they are stock rs springs.

slammnmini

its all run by the mafia :hail: heh

by the way...jcurrieirocz how much of a drop is on ur car

jcurrieirocz

Yep it sure is!!!!

I cut a half of a coil off the front DZ ones (never cut off anymore then that or youll have big problems)

heres my measurments
-------------------------------(front)----(rear)-----(air dam)---(cat.)
Before (stock springs) ------ 2 1/8"-----1 7/8"---- 7 1/2'' -----5 1/2"

After (DropZones w/ 1/2 ----- 1/2"---- 1 3/8" ----5 3/4" ---- 3 1/2"
of a coil cut from front springs)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total drop ------------------ 1 5/8" ---- 1/2" ----- 1 3/4"------- 2"

Vader

Many European countries have rigid safety inspections for good reason. We should have better regulations here, not the other way around. As a result, we get Ford Exploders that roll over, headlights that couldn't attract a moth in pitch darkness, rîcers with grocery cart spoilers, trucks that lose mud flaps, spare tires, and entire loads while running down the highways, and drivers with the same rotten attitudes and habits as their car makers.

Have you considered stock springs and lowering spindles? They usually do a little better to maintain correct steering geometry and are more likely to be D.O.T., TUV, or DIN approved.

jcurrieirocz

I understand your reasoning but those things you metioned is already regulated but slips thru. With the exception of the ***** wings they dont hinder my safty. Another thing is half the ppl out there dont even were there seatbelts so any other safty equipment or regulations is out the window just like them. The reason why i think its a scam or a moneymaking law is they charge a company a crazy amout of $ to approve them. Who actually makes a spring that would fail and become unsafe no one, or there'd be a nice little lawsute that would kill the bussiness. Also a steering wheels come on...ive yet to see a aftermarket wheel less then twice as strong as a stock wheel. When it comes to lights bumpers and stuff like that then ok but no need to start teling us we can modify our ow cars anymore...im surpised that soon your not ganna beable to upgrade your engines hp,,,if laws like this keep getting past, its not too far away. In my opinion the line has to be drawn somewhere and this is where i draw mine thats all.

MrDude_1

my version of what Vader said above:


the DOT laws are crap, they dont help and they just cause a $$ headache for people. DOT laws are the ones that are there just to grub money... not their laws.


you pay thousands here, and they approve your lamp style by using some standards ralph nader made in the early 70s... namely, they have to be reflective when you shine a light on them... if they pass that, then you're allowed to cast DOT on them.


meanwhile overseas, they actually spend that money on real testing. sure its a PITA and it costs more... but they actually update the rules too.

if you have ever seen REAL euro headlight beam patterns, and then compared them to US ones, you'll see what i mean.




as for the argument that people wont make defective products because people will sue.... thats ludicrus.

1. look at most aftermarket products. theres a liabilty sheet.
2. even if you made what you thought was a safe product, without proper testing, it could fail.... it may send the company under, but still, someone got hurt.


they may be strict there, but i like how the strictness on the vechical and driver allows more freedom with driving.

they allow reasonable speeds. you dont worry about if the guy behind you has brakes. they know how to fuggin merge/yeld/go/stop/whatever and they do it to the letter of the law. you dont see the wildly stupid traffic infractions as often there, and you dont have the stupid laws.....


*shrug*

drop-top IROC

Amen. Driving in Europe (at least, certain parts of Europe) is a blast! Scandanavian countries are even more fanatical about car safety and engineering. If you've ever worked on a Saab or Volvo, you'll know what I'm talking about.

ChevyKen

iTrader: (1)

Hey Vader, wazzup man!! Tried emailing you on several occations, but didn't hear back - did you switch email address? I have something outstanding with ya'! Shoot me an email when you get the time, will you?


Anyways, since we are slightly sliding off topic a little here (which is fine with me) let me add some:

First off, yeah - maybe Tüv is bad for charging an arm and a leg for approving stuff, but hey - they're just providing a service that is requested by many countries' vehicle safety departments. And, they happend to be one of very very few that is accepted to perform these tests.

Second, you think it is bad that they have restrictions that require non-OEM springs to be Tüv approved? You wouldn't believe all the crazy laws and regulations we have for cars. Let me mention a few:

* Any additional horsepower added requires technical inspection and "horsepower-tax" paid. If the change is substantial, it may require documentation that the car is physically/technically capable of handling the power. Does everybody do this? Hell no!

* If you are caught with for example a non-stock chip in your car, extra fines on top of the hp-tax will be added.

* Don't even get me started on vehicle tax in general!!!

* Alterations of hp/suspension/steering etc. etc. is to be approved and indicated in registration card.

* Amber front park lamps is illegal

* Amber front / red rear sidemarkers are illegal. After Volvos came with amber front and back sidemarkers, that has now been accepted, but was illegal until recently.

* Headlights have to be marked with E. This means all stock headlamps on american cars have to be replaced.

* Turn signals front and back HAS to be amber. This requires nasty add-on lights for all american cars with red rear turn signals.

* All cars HAVE to have an amber turn signal on the fender. Again, aftermarket add-ons is necessary for american cars.

* Tire size can only be two sizes up from stock size. However, some places won't bug you as long as the side of the tire is not outside the outer edge of the fender.

* Reflector part of taillights on american cars are not good enough, therefore added red reflectors are required on the back of all american cars.

I could go on and on and on......


Oh, and as for the question on steering wheels - that I can actually understand. For a while there was a lot of aftermarket steering wheels on the market over here that were dangerous. When crashing with one of them, the rim broke off and people were killed when hitting their head on the broken spokes.


Im actually surprised that they currently don't require any approval of aftermarket rims. One would think they would be on that as flies, considering how popular they are.

Oh well....


Ken

92 zzz28

NOTE TO SELF: If I ever move to Europe, sell or store Camaro before moving!!!

I wouldn't be able to afford keeping it with those standards and regulations...

jcurrieirocz

*** I LOVE Canada!!!

slammnmini

jcurrieirocz..ya got any side shots of that car? looks like it has a mean stance to it

jcurrieirocz

only a few hundred of them......... (only about 20 are after my springs tho)

http://www.cardomain.com/id/jcurrieirocz

Dont forget about everyones "www" button

blaznbrd

call me crazy but what if u just sprayed your springs black and say they were stock. just an idea.

jcurrieirocz

Like i said before thats what I'd do..and take them to a differnet inspection place.

ChevyKen

iTrader: (1)

Well, yeah - if I had thought of that before going for the first inspection, then that would've been a possibility. But now to come for a re-check of lowering spring with a car that is still low and with springs with fresh black paint on them....wouldn't work

Besides, going to another inspection place is not an option in this case. For the regular check-to-see-that-everything-is-okay inspection I can do that, but to get an alteration appended in the registration card you have to go to the "DMV" (or Biltilsynet as it is called her). No regular shop is allowed to do that.

However, I never thought this would be a problem - because the springs were already on the car when I had it through the initial inspection at the "DMV" when importing the car. The problem is that they didn't see the springs then and append it to the registration card, so now I have to have it done.

If I have the time this weekend I'll try to find the number on the Jamex springs and see what the Jamex vendor here can do - although I don't think it will be too much. If so, I guess I'll get my hands on a set of Eibachs and call it a day. I can always sell the Jamex springs to someone that think they can get away with it over her.

BTW, Im headed back over to the US in a couple of weeks - I might just get my hands on a set then and ship home!


Ken

Droptop_Z

Hey Ken, If you sell your lowering springs let me know I may be intrested. Thanks

RaGe

completely off topic here...but cmeb4ubuy that has got to be the best looking teal 3rd gen I've ever seen...and I don't like teal!

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

Hey the paperwork from Jamex on Approved springs. and the #'s

make a coardboad template of the #'s

Repowder Coat your springs Then mask em off and spray the #'s on em......

DOne...... Well I guess its easier said then done for you over there... If here I could recoat em no problemo....

MrDude_1

counterfit springs! lmao

slammnmini

this ones for you RaGe

RaGe

I eat my words again..nice ride... I guess I never saw many thirdgens with teal before...