Lowered car will not pass state inspection? wtf?

[zee3b]

Hey,
I went to a auto motive shop to get an estimate on how much the guy would charge me to install lowering springs. The shop also happened to be a state inspection shop, the guy told me if you lower you car it wont pass the state inspection + I do the state inspection and I'm not allowed to touch your springs.
I recently moved to Virginia. But wtf? was he right......
and if that's the case means I cant get 18 inch wheels on my corolla? Or can I still get 18" on my corolla without it looking odd or causing problems for the stock springs.

Thanks!!!

[Silver Surfer S]

Damn. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

You can still get 18's on your Corolla. No worries. You'll have plenty of room and absolutely no issues. Go with a 225/40 tire. You're not messing with any of the suspension components, so your stock springs and struts remain untouched.

[nouse4aname]

we have the same law here. its for safety reasons, if you don't have enough suspension travel, the chances of you losing control are higher. also, there are a LOT of people out there who think that cutting springs to shorten them for a drop are viable options.

[sinnaever]

That is messed. Lowering Springs only drop 0.5" -> 3.0" MAX... most springs do 1.0 or 1.5"... I'd look further into it. Ask him about TRD springs...

[Jim Bob Jones]

Virginia law does specify minimum height off the gorund.

[GoodOBoy]

Originally Posted by Jim Bob Jones

Virginia law does specify minimum height off the gorund.

WoW! Really?
So a Corolla with lowering springs rides lower than a Corvette? Or are all Corvettes outlawed from there?

[Jim Bob Jones]

Originally Posted by GoodOBoy

WoW! Really?
So a Corolla with lowering springs rides lower than a Corvette? Or are all Corvettes outlawed from there?

No particular class or model of vehicle is "outlawed". As previously stated, minimum height off the ground is prescribed.

[BOOYAH_TRIBE]

Check out this link. Take a look at the section that says "what are the bumper height laws in the state of Virginia" near the bottom.

Alteration of suspension system; bumper height limits; raising body above frame rail. -- No person shall drive on a public highway any motor vehicle registered as a passenger motor vehicle if it has been modified by alteration of its altitude from the ground to the extent that its bumpers, measured to any point on the lower edge of the main horizontal bumper bar, exclusive of any bumper guards, are not within the range of fourteen inches to twenty-two inches above the ground. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the range of bumper heights for motor vehicles bearing street rod license plates issued pursuant to § 46.2-747 shall be nine to twenty-two inches.

It looks like the bumper bar (behind the bumper cover?) has to be within 14 to 22 inches off the ground.

[zee3b]

Hmm so if I get regular lowering springs which would give me a drop of about 1.5-2 inches will it end up being against the law? I've seen some cars which are very low. 14-22 inches isn't that a lot? whats a regular height of a corolla of the ground ?

[GatoradeBoy]

when I raise my corolla and put those monster truck tires on i cant go above 22 inches if i was in virginia? lame

[zee3b]

I'm still lost. I was trying to measure the height of bumper off the ground and it was somewhere about 8 inches stock? What height are they talking about?

[BOOYAH_TRIBE]

Originally Posted by zee3b

I'm still lost. I was trying to measure the height of bumper off the ground and it was somewhere about 8 inches stock? What height are they talking about?

It looks like they are talking about the metal bumper behind the plastic bumper cover. Take it to another place to get the inspection done. I bet if you lowered it only 1.5-2 inches they either won't notice or won't care.

[eyeball96]

Yeah, find another inspection station. I'm dropped on H&R's and I've never had a problem with inspections in Virginia. The mechanic is feeding u a line of BS.