I've got my test results back... they've given me 6 months

[Robin427]

I'm sorry to say that I failed my SVA at Mitcham today.

Very nice tester, name of Ian. Was quite thorough but not particularly picky (except on one of my fail points, which, had it been the only one, I might've argued through).

Failed on:

Reflectors too low - my draft copy of the manual says "250mm". His manual says "350"... I checked. Bugger! Not a difficult thing to fix, so I'll put some tiny ones on in between the rear lights as there is no minimum size requirement

Foglight not vertical enough... probably because I'd jacked the suspension up to get the front indicators high enough. Couldn't easily fix it there and then because the bracket was all taped/siliconed up

I had put the wrong weights for the braking on my sheet, like an idiot. The actual weights were about 480kg per axle (I had put 500) but with passengers and load in, it would've been pushed over the tonne. They account 150kg for passengers. Brakes were fine anyway.

Lastly, and most difficult to fix, the steering did not self centre. I have spoken briefly to GD about this and apparently the steering does start off pretty stiff but loosens up later on. I think I will have to jack the front of the car up and sit there going from lock to lock for hours on end. Andy is away from GD at the moment, so I will discuss the best course of action with him.



All in all, a bit disappointing, but he said it was no reflection on me, so yah boo sucks to you all. He thought the car was, and I quote:

"One of the best I've seen"

I bet he says that to all the guys... he seemed to like the chassis, though and all my other bits and bobs were OK.

One interesting note. I had covered up my boot handle with rubber and some end caps. He tugged at it a bit and said it "wasn't perfect" but was prepared to pass the car with it like that. When it was obvious I'd failed, I took the rubber and everything off, exposing the handle in all it's naked glory...

"Yeah, I'd be happy with that" he said...

[427sc]

Bad luck Robin......Im sure it will be second time lucky!!.......how was the drive?


steve

[Grease Monkey]

All the BEST people pass second time.. :thumb:

On the self centering question, it's one of the point i failed on as well. At the time i'd put all of the castor shims at the back of the upper wishbone to get a castor as specified by GD / Jag.

This meant it didn't self centre at all.

For the retest i moved them all to the front (or was it vice versa?) and you now need to pull the wheel a little to turn, but it pulls back to centre when you let go. Pass.

Sounds like nothing major, and my guess of 3 points, 1 major was pretty accurate. Perhaps i should be an SVA tester.?

Reflectors - minor 2 minute job
Fog light - minor 2 minute job
Centreing - an hour or so to jack move shims and replace wheels.

Weight, well that was a creffieldism and so not subject to normal guesses.

[Robin427]

Thanks, GM, you're a great help...

Drive back was better than the drive in, it being a nice sunny day down here. Oddly enough, I lost my way home and had to drive round the backlanes for ages before I got here again. Put about 70 miles more on the car...

[dave]

Thjat's a very good result Robin seeing as the tester is a pr1ck. The rule for reflectors is 250 as you thought, It used to be 350 but it was changed and he has not kept is manual up to date.
Someone else faile recently due to the wheels protruding in the horizontal plane, which is also wrong. both these issues can be taken up with VOSA direct if you wanted to push it.

[Steve]

Robin

I too failed on self centering (or lack of). got 2 extra shims from GD, put them all to the front of the top wishbone, moving the ball joint as far back as possible, also had to use a couple washers to move the upper wishbone back to make sure it stayed parallel.

added a considerable amount of self centring, which kept sva man happy

would agree that the steering eased up considerably in the first couple hundred miles, almost like the steering rack etc was all a bit stiff.

and well done, mine failed on more than that firast time round.

[JonnyT]

When it comes to it, if that is the all mine fails on I will be ecstatic!

Well done Robin.

[Robin427]

Thanks for the chat Dave. I don't think I'll push it, until I've got the MAC in my hand - it's easier just to move the reflectors a bit higher.

Foglight is another 10 minute job.

I'll investigate the steering in due course - might have to wait to speak to Andy on Wednesday

[Miket]

Originally Posted by Grease Monkey

All the BEST people pass second time.. :thumb:

And how do you come to that conclusion, If it doesn't pass first time, my logic tells me its not built correctly.

[Grease Monkey]

Mike,

Simple logic.

1) I'm the best person in the world (IMHO)
2) I passed second time

3) QED.