legalities of making coil over struts

[comfortablynumb]

Hi All,

I'm working on a Mk2 Cortina, and  have been thinking about making some coil over front struts, so I can sort the ride height to suit me, and the Fen roads I have to use.
I've got a spare pair of struts, and I know I can buy weld-on coil over sections, and then think about what spring rates to use.

However its been suggested to me that making my own flies in the face of construction and use regs, and that these are not legal for road use, being race only.

The car is some way from the road, and I realise that short of an accident there is little chance of being pulled for these, but I don't want to knowingly break the law if I can help it.

Anybody more intelligent than me know if these are OK for road use? I can't see anything either on the listings for sale, or a google search

TIA

[skkylinedave]

Depends, some people who attempt such work will make something posistively lethal which should not be allowed near the road. Someone else might make something just as good as anything you can buy or better .


Then again some people pass deathtraps as MOT passes and fill cars full of filler in dangerous places .

I don't think there is a problem if you have sound engineering skills and can weld properly . Even better of you know someone who knows what they are doing .

[colnerov]

Hi, Unfortunately it could be an MOT failure as well under section 2.2 steering -

Reason for rejection.

e. inappropriate structural modification or repair by welding to a steering
linkage component, or signs of excessive heat having been applied.

I suppose it's, as said, how well it's done.

Colin

[welshpug]

its not steering though.

its making not modifying, as per oem.

[comfortablynumb]

Technically it'd be a modification, since the base and caliper mount/hub would be the original, and the strut body and spring mount removed or shortened to let the threaded unit be fitted.
Theses a DVSA site not far from me, Although I would normally avoid them like the plague(I drive trucks) I might go and pick their brains

[elmotheewokking]

The only thing you're changing is the sleeve for the shock. Much like buying and fitting adjustable coilovers, which makes no difference at all.

[slater]

Stop worrying.

[ChasR]

May 30, 2017 13:41:18 GMT slater said:

Stop worrying.

You assume everyone has skills as good as you.

While I trust myself to weld some bits I would not attempt to weld struts ; Primarily because I know it probably wouldn't hold. I know of plenty of people who would (i.e the same people who are happy to drive a car with their engine leaking more oil than it uses petrol).

That said I am a cynic.