Braided brake lines - Illegal?

G

Guy Engelsman

New Member
Took the blue car to be pink slipped the other day, ( MOT ) and the inspector told me that the braided steel brake lines on the car are now illegal! I have had them for the past few years and all my cars have them. The stupid thing is that I had another car with the same modification, and it was passed without question.
As a result the car was failed for illegal modification and I was told to replace them with factory parts before it will be passed. Factory parts, idiot, the car has been out of producion for 20 odd years ( and very odd years they have been). Has anyone else here in Australia suffered from this level of mindless incompetance, or am I the first? All comments and suggestions appreciated! :p
Cheers
GUY :D
 
See if you can get your hands on a copy of the regulations and find out what the official line is. I had a problem with the reverse light switch in my SD1, broken and no new ones available and they failed it on the WOF (I'm in NZ). So I did a bit of homework and according to the official inspection manual "Reversing lights must be white in color and operate only when reverse gear is engaged". No where was is stated that reversing lights must be fitted, and no where did it state they must work even if fitted.

The inspector didn't like having that pointed out, and refused to show me his copy of the manual or go and hceck it himself (so he must have known he didn't have a leg to stand on). He somewhat grudgingly issued the WOF and I changed my place of inspection.

It's worth a try if they are giving you grief and being blantently inconsistent.
 
Problem solved. Took the car to a different inspector and passed 1st go! Original problem was that the new hoses were of a higher spec than OE, and the inspector was a prat.
The world is the correct shape again.
Cheers
GUY. :p
 
Yes good news, but proves you have to know your own car first. My Lancia passed UK MOT but there's a handful of things missed - one area of rot is potentially dangerous too. Out of interest how much are Aus and NZ tests? We've had a recent change in the UK that if it fails on more than just silly things like wiper blades, it cannot be removed from premises without them performing another full re-test on return (and repay entire fee again). So you're caught.
 
In NZ we have a "warrant of fitness" (WOF") similar to your MOT. It is required every six months , with the exception of brand new cars which are allowed the first six years free. There is a series of checks, mainly to ensure the safety of the vehicle. If your vehicle fails, you are provided with a copy of the check sheet listing the items requiring attention. You have 28 days to complete these. You are permitted to drive the vehicle, but only to the extent of fixing the faults listed, such as fitting new tyres, or getting your wipers fixed,etc. If
you have the faults fixed within the 28 days, you take the vehicle back and if OK you get your WOF. If you leave it for longer than 28 days you have to start again. Licences to issue
WOF are held by some garages, "Testing Stations" owned by Local Bodies such as City Councils,etc. I am usually cautious about using private garages, as stories abound abound about them finding faults and then referring the owner to their own workshops for "attention". On the other hand, some testing stations are erratic. In one city I visit regularly, a British car enthusiast (he owns ten cars) tells me that their attitude varies "according to which side of the bed they got out that morning." when dealing with WOF. I am fortunate. I use an experienced and reliable mechanic who is trustworthy. I have used his services for 15 years.(He also describes the P6 as a "true classic".)
 
I can see braided brake hoses are better when new but how do you tell when the rubber hose is perishing ?
Is there a recommended life span ?
 
I have located the NZ W.O.F. manual for brakes and it refers to braided brake hoses as follows:
"17 Flexible Hydraulic brake hose (including connections):
Reason for rejection:
(g) is a non-OE stainless-steel braided brake hose that is not:
(h) used to substitute OE hoses only and
(i) designed spcifically for highway use and can be identified as complying with a recognised approved automotive standard (such as FMVSS- 106)
I hope this helps.
The cost of a WOF in NZ is $35.
 
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