Rack and Pinion Conversion, Engineered in QLD?

[Major Clod]

I'm looking to do a Rack and Pinion conversion on my RA23.

This involves a KE70 crossmember + rack, trimming the outer edges of the xmember, reinforce and redrill mounting holes.

Every engineer has told me that they cannot do it, there is no "code" for modifying suspension or crossmember. They seem to be the lazy ones, who just want to look at something and slap a blue plate on it. One guy told me he'd have to draw up stuff and calculate things, and he wasn't really interested.

Anyone done this sort of thing in QLD?

Does anyone know an engineer who would be interested, or another process to go through?

How do all these 4x4 people do major alterations to their suspension, or are none of them engineering in QLD at all??

I've done a hell of a lot of research on altering suspension, measurements, dummy fit, built simulations in 3D to calculate my bump steer, etc etc.. So I don't sound like a complete moron when I'm talking to these people, but they don't seem interested.

[rj_darlow]

Have a look at the NCOP on the Department of Infrastructure website.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa...g_3Feb2006.pdf

The stuff about rack and pinion starts at page 41.

[Major Clod]

Looks good, I don't see any problems with what i'm doing based on what's there.

However, all the engineers I spoke to were referencing the Queensland Transport Code of Modifications.. this is the thing that gives you Blue Plates.

So are we not covered under this supposed "National" code up here in QLD, or are my engineers just old school and uneducated. I may need to do some more calling around.

Cheers!

[styler]

i think the ncop takes effect in qld in jan 2009

[slow laser]

call john keen, ill see if i can find his number. he is a qld mod plate officer/dot mod plate officer, or something.... he brought all the mod plate books and guidelines out with him when i was doing a fair bit of work on my 1st car. he will tell you everything that u need to do to get it approved or if u cant.

he came out for free to site the mods i was doing at the time (seats, gearbox and motor all with custom mounts) and he told he all the required things to get it approved.


ill see if i can find it (was 4 years ago now >.<)

[Major Clod]

I spoke to John, and he didn't seem that interested at all. He mentioned needing to draw up diagrams and test bump steer, and he wasn't that interested. He was fine with engineering the 3SGE beams though.

If the NCOP comes into play in Jan 09, hell I'll just wait for it I guess!

[slow laser]

hmm maybe u have to go through the handling test or alike for those sort of modifications... last i heard that wasnt cheap either :/


hope ya sort something out