Sttering Shaft Build

[the_big_1]

Hi Guys,

I am building / Renovating a kit car.
I need to build a new steering shaft layout to avoid inlet manifolds etc.
On a kit car forum, they mentioned that you can not weld parts of the steering shaft but a part I was going to use from a production car is already welded?

 

[123hotchef]

they sell weld on ujs ect for steering shafts in various places

 

[johnik]

sleeve and roll pin then weld leaving the roll pin showing,whai i did and they all passed.

 

[MrFluffy]

Its because the parts are occasionally heat treated by the manufacturer post weld to temper them if highly stressed and its very unlikely we've got access to proper heat treatment ovens with pid control and timers etc to replicate the same even if we knew the temper callout. Drop arms, steering arms etc also fall into this category.
But for a straight shaft turning a rack with a new weld on UJ, I think johnik's solution is the pragmatic way to go.

 

[pedrobedro]

Hi Guys,

I am building / Renovating a kit car.
I need to build a new steering shaft layout to avoid inlet manifolds etc.
On a kit car forum, they mentioned that you can not weld parts of the steering shaft but a part I was going to use from a production car is already welded?

I used a Sierra column and 2mm wall tube cut at 45° to give more area slid over the cut steering shaft and just welded round and it never got a second glance at test time. Cars are held together with welds and wishbones etc. could not be made any other way.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

If it is approved kit car then they will have a list of suitable parts to fit it. taking into account the engines etc what are approved to fit.
So there should be no need to change, or if so call the kit car manufacture and check I out.

So when you go for your SVA test you will have the correct parts and documentation to obtain a pass.

Recently I had to go with a friend to Bristol VOSA centre to have his car checked,(insurance write off and then repaired). When we was there I stuck up a conversation with a tester, he had a "look alike" Corvette, which had failed due to not standard kits part being fitted.

If it is a on of build, the SVA test will require you to prove critical parts are welded by a "competent person".

So go back to the kit supplier, or the club and see what they say.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

The steering shaft on my Marlin is welded. I think people are getting confused with the MOT rule that says no welding or heat application to steering components - which means the steering arms on hubs etc and not the column.
Download a free copy of the BIVA manual and check the proper rules yourself.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

if it is a kit car it will need a SVA test before a MOT.
The SVA is nothing like a MOT and has completely different rules.
The SVA manual and updates can be purchased. worth the investment.

 

[pedrobedro]

if it is a kit car it will need a SVA test before a MOT.
The SVA is nothing like a MOT and has completely different rules.
The SVA manual and updates can be purchased. worth the investment.

It's not SVA any more it's IVA. I've never heard of an approved parts list, kit cars are made of what you can find that works and don't let anyone tell you different. As long as they meet current regulations for safety and emissions any car will pass. You can download the IVA manual for free. If the car is already registered and you are not making any structural alterations to the chassis just crack on. I went when it was still SVA with a Locost completely from scratch. If the welding looks up to the job they are happy but any pigeon droppings and they will jump on it.

 

[MrFluffy]

Its a bit more complicated than just the chassis alone Pedro, you have to tot up points for each component changed if you get to keep the original identity. This applies to rebodies on original car chassis, and kitcars that are already registered. So for instance you change engine axles steering and box in a car with current approval officially your supposed to notify the dvla and go for another inspection.
In practice its unlikely that anyone will care if its registered on a q plate. Now a q is desirable for all the reasons nobody wanted them a few years back...
Custom cars just the same, too many changes and its off for BIVA...

 

[MrFluffy]

Having said that, if you dont start self-outing yourself on a public forum as modifying it past the 8 points officially required to start the process, theres every chance nobody will care even if its not q...

 

[pedrobedro]

Its a bit more complicated than just the chassis alone Pedro, you have to tot up points for each component changed if you get to keep the original identity. .

When I did mine the points were only for retaining the original or an age related plate and not receiving a Q plate for a vehicle built from parts of indeterminate origin. If the car was a self build it had to be tested but you can change the engine, gearbox, brakes. You could rebody a VW bug floorpan as a beach buggy or a Triumph Herald chassis as a Spartan as long as the chassis was not cut or altered. Registration is nothing to do with IVA it is a process that comes after and if his car is already registered it will not need any inspection because he is just extending the steering column not radically altering the vehicle, its layout or how it functions.

 

[MrFluffy]

Exactly, steering assembly is 2 points on your link so its well within the 8 points limit for this case, but in the event of heavier modification, the link says :-
Your vehicle must have 8 or more points from the table below if you want to keep the original registration number. 5 of these points must come from having the original or new and unmodified chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame.
What I mean is you cant take eg a scimitar, rebody it with whatever but leaving the chassis uncut at the rear, change the motor to a v8 and swap the axles and modify the suspension/steering to accomodate it. Thats why its not as simple as "leave the chassis alone and you can do what you want" even if its already registered as past 8 points it looses its original identity and has to be registered as a new vehicle.

 

[MrFluffy]

The same does apply if you have a Q also, if your changing it past 8 points of what it was when it became q plated that should trigger it off. There is supposed to be records of what parts were used somewhere, but thats only heresay and I dont personally think I'd put money on that being the case, certainly for older q plated vehicles. Then it would become a question of if you want to put on public record if your radically changing things on a Q registered vehicle as officially its not carte blanche to do what you like. This is the problem with public build threads, you want to share stuff, but you don't want to arm vosa who do comb forums.

 

[pedrobedro]

The same does apply if you have a Q also, if your changing it past 8 points of what it was when it became q plated that should trigger it off. There is supposed to be records of what parts were used somewhere, but thats only heresay and I dont personally think I'd put money on that being the case,

When you go for registration they check the list of receipts you take in for the parts you use, at testing they don't. There is no copy of the list kept by DVSA at registration they only thumbed through the great envelope of paper I gave them and checked the V5 for the donor. If you extend a shaft you are not radically altering the steering or the way it works.

 

[MrFluffy]

Exactly, steering assembly is 2 points on your link so its well within the 8 points limit for this case

If you extend a shaft you are not radically altering the steering or the way it works.

Seems we're saying exactly the same thing? past 8 points away from the base spec is the trigger for the vehicle to be considered "radically modified".

I'd strongly suggest if the tangental discussion affects anyone here, they did their own research into what the law actually states & where you stand in respect of it. Knowledge is power if your in the doodoo at the side of the road.