Inspections

[piercedvw]

OK... all the places that do inspections are different.. I need someone that has a little 'flexabilty' as I think it should be put. You can pm me if you want. A place that doesn't charge re-inspection fee IF I need to adjust anything would rock.

[pittwagen]

I have been building a street legal rail for some time and last fall was inspection time. 

I believe "flexibile" cuts both ways and it sometimes it pays to find a way to get out in front of the issues.

Get a copy of the manual the inspector uses or failing that review the appropriate sections of the BC Motor Vehicle Act Regulations and do your own check using form MV 3199 - BC Private Vehicle Inspecton Report.  It's available on the provincial gov't website.

The garage that I go to in Pitt Meadows is also a designated Inspection Facility so the first thing I did was to invite the inspector over for a "pre inspection" at my expense to uncover any obvious/major issues that he would likely identify at the shop thus heading off any costly re-inspections and costs to haul the buggy back and forth.  This also gives you the chance to fix the problem on your own time and not be pressured to have them fix it at their cost. 

You can also demonstrate your due diligence with the work you have done to get ready for the inspection.

For example, you know they are going to pull at least one front and one back drum so I would pull the drums and let the inspector see that you have checked the brakes and particularly the wheel cylinders.  As well if those rear drums haven't been off in a while better your time to free them up than the shop's.  How are the flex hoses and steel lines? 

If you have done any work, show him the bills.  You are trying to establish some credibility and show that you are not trying to slide something by.

If they do discover something in the shop, it may be cost effective to have them do the repair.

My inspection was uneventful and it cost me an hour's worth of shop time in total.

Good luck.

[piercedvw]

Right now my concern is the floor.. It was repaired when it was in Hawaii.. Basically it's strong and as solid as hell, but doesn't look to hot from underneath. The long term plan is to cut it and replace it with proper pan halves, but I want to be able to drive it for the rest of the summer and THEN tear it apart. 
 Shawn is going to have a go at getting the little things ready to run it through, but I really don't know what they will say about the floor as is.

[Bruce]

If the floor is solid and well sealed, you're ok.  The reason they're strict on floors is that exhaust gasses can be drawn into the car through holes in the floor (think front engine car).

When I took my car through, I drove to the shop and the inspector walked out for a quick visual.  He pointed out my tires were a bit low on tread.  I got the impression that he wasn't on a power trip, and wasn't looking for work.  So I changed the tires and took it in.  Passed no trouble.

Everything that even remotely relates to safety must be in perfect order. 

Obscure things are, the left window must be able to go up and down so you can do hand signals if necessary. (good luck on that one  )  No cracks in the window.  No cracks in the rubber brake hoses.  No play in the ball joints/tie rods/steering.

[pittwagen]

Sounds like Bruce went essentially the same route as I did.  The pre inspection works!

So get an inspector close by and get an opinion on the floor.  Pay them for a half hours work and then you will know.  You live in Walnut Grove - my inspector works at Mason Bros. (122A and Harris Rd. in Pitt Meadows which is about 5 min. from the end of the new bridge or 4 roundabouts and 4 stop lights.  I'm sure there are plenty of competent shops on your side as well.

[85fastlane]

Really hope it goes a lot better for you than it did for me Tarrah! I did mine in Gibsons so that probably doesn't help, but definetly DONT go to smartcare  in Abbotsford 

[blarneyman]

That floor sure isn't the prettiest thing to look at. I hope it goes well for you. When are you going to schedule the inspection? Maybe we can all get together and pray for the car before you go in.

[CHEECH]

  NOW THATS FUNNY Steve....lol I`m thinking I will clean up all the remaining pan thats left under the car and seam seal the hell out of it and give it a good coat of undercoating and hope for the best. I`m going to run it through early next week. If they dont like it then we are picking up Ghia pans to weld in over my holiday next week. I want her to have it ready for the show