Just Commodores Forum Community

It takes just a moment to join our fantastic community

Register

Legal suspension limit on new car

Discussion in 'VE Holden Commodore (2006 - 2013)' started by CRUORGORE, May 18, 2020 at 9:57 PM.

  1. CRUORGORE

    CRUORGORE New Member

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2020
    Location:
    Victoria
    Members Ride:
    Z Series Commodore SV6
    Hi, this is my first ever post so I apologise if this is in the wrong thread.

    I’m in the market for a new car and I’ve just come across a 2008 Ute with 19 inch rims lowered on Front SSL and Rear Triple SSSL springs according to the ad. Could someone please tell me the pros(if there are any) and the cons of having it lowered this much. My concerns are that 1; it’s surpassed the legal limit and becomes a cop magnet. 2; the negative impact on performance, etc.

    I’m not very car savvy and it’ll be my first ever car so if anyone has any answers or honest opinions for me that’ll be much appreciated.

    Edit;; I’m located in Victoria.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2020 at 10:04 PM
  2. MattSAU2XR8

    MattSAU2XR8 Active Member

    Messages:
    128
    Likes Received:
    71
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2018
    Location:
    Caloundra
    Members Ride:
    VE SS Auto 2007
    1. Reduced ground clearance, may scrape on speed humps, going onto ramps in car parks, front against gutters when parking

    2. Reduced suspension travel means ride will likely be harsh

    3. Shocks may not be tuned to springs. Most off the shelf sport shocks will be tuned to FE2 or similar springs, since that is what makers envisaged owners using them for - to replace 100,000 km old SV6 and SS shocks. If you use them with lower and likely higher rate springs then the shock may not have enough rebound damping to control the spring as it extends after hitting a bump - so car will want to 'float' up a bit. Although I think Monroe GT short shocks might be designed for shorter and stiffer springs...
     
    CRUORGORE likes this.
  3. shane_3800

    shane_3800 Active Member

    Messages:
    624
    Likes Received:
    88
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2011
    Location:
    places
    Members Ride:
    vr commo
    Just buy it and try tbh. If you don't like the ride it'll be less than 2k to do shocks and springs, so ask for 1k off the price.
     
  4. Skylarking

    Skylarking Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,826
    Likes Received:
    1,423
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2018
    Location:
    Downunder
    Members Ride:
    Commodore Motorsport
    4. may reduce load carrying capacity within the tray

    4b. I think some models have load proportioning valve under the tray which some may not correctly adjust when lowering

    5. if it looks low it probably is too low and becomes a cop magnet as you say...

    It all comes down to what sort of license you have (P’s and lowed utes don’t play well together), what you want from your car and how much hassle from police you can put up with. Such can only be answered by you :rolleyes:
     
    CRUORGORE likes this.
  5. CRUORGORE

    CRUORGORE New Member

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2020
    Location:
    Victoria
    Members Ride:
    Z Series Commodore SV6
    That’s really helpful, thank you. I’m a P plater and plan to load up the tray frequently so unfortunately I don’t think this is the right car for me.
     
    Last edited: May 19, 2020 at 10:14 PM
  6. ChRiDDa

    ChRiDDa Active Member

    Messages:
    706
    Likes Received:
    104
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2004
    Location:
    N/A
    Members Ride:
    VE SS-Z Sportwagon
    Minimum 100mm ground clearance from the lowest point on the undercarriage
    Also, should add that the vehicle needs to be fully laden... ie 2 occupants, full tank of juice and what would usually otherwise be found in the rear of a ute

    Generally speaking, if you were unlucky enough to attract the attention of the police, you’d be very unlucky to have the vehicle clearance measured fully laden - usually, they’d just measure it ‘as is’
     
  7. vc commodore

    vc commodore Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    3,587
    Likes Received:
    1,052
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2014
    Location:
    south australia
    Members Ride:
    vc commodore

    In the riverland area of S.A going back 12 months ago, Adelaide coppers went up there on a roadworthy blitz...I know of a few cars they defected for being too low, measured with a boot load of tools and 2 or 3 people in the back when measured.....

    Results....All defects for being too low when measured like this, were ripped off windscreens free of charge and the Adelaide coppers involved got hauled over the coals for incorrectly measuring cars for height.

    Make of this what you will, with what you have just written...And of course different states measure from different points on a vehicle to get relevant heights and how those heights are deemed to be legal :)

    Quite honestly, I would be contacting your road transport department in your state to determine where they get their height limits from and how they get those height limits ie with or without weight in the vehicle
     

Share This Page