Onerous VA safety inspection

**four** · 01-14-10, 09:59

Originally Posted by orionz06

"loose" ball joints: A loose ball joint can create an uncontrollable vehicle going over the wrong bump. For some vehicles, there is an acceptable amount of play, but generally you dont want any given the nature of the joint.

the thing about the ball joint that gets me is their inspection process doesn't really allow them to accurately diagnose a ball joint.

they get in, and drive it from the waiting line into a bay where they remove 1 tire to check pads and do the rest of the inspection on things you can see without moving the car. Put the tire back on and pull it out of the bay.

So in the space of 60 feet he's managed to diagnose a ball joint? Ball joints are the bane of my car maintenance existence and I've never been able to diagnose one in 60 feet or by staring at it. I am certain the inspector didn't pull it out and check for wear.

A friend of mine took her car in for inspection and the guy failed it for worn belts. specifically a belt that I personally had replaced 3 months and 1000 miles previously. She's small and cute and knows nothing about cars; I honestly believe he was taking advantage of that.

all I'm saying is that dishonest inspectors happens.

**orionz06** · 01-14-10, 10:03

Originally Posted by four

the thing about the ball joint that gets me is their inspection process doesn't really allow them to accurately diagnose a ball joint.

they get in, and drive it from the waiting line into a bay where they remove 1 tire to check pads and do the rest of the inspection on things you can see without moving the car. Put the tire back on and pull it out of the bay.

So in the space of 60 feet he's managed to diagnose a ball joint? Ball joints are the bane of my car maintenance existence and I've never been able to diagnose one in 60 feet or by staring at it. I am certain the inspector didn't pull it out and check for wear.

A friend of mine took her car in for inspection and the guy failed it for worn belts. specifically a belt that I personally had replaced 3 months and 1000 miles previously. She's small and cute and knows nothing about cars; I honestly believe he was taking advantage of that.

all I'm saying is that dishonest inspectors happens.

They can have a clue that something is bad if the vehicle hit a bump in the concrete and clunked, but there are many things that can clunk going over a bump. The shop I worked at had a 1" bar on the floor that we drove over and was enough to hear small clunks. This was put in for that very reason, but we still had to shake the front end and check all items individually and confirm visually that the ball joint was in fact bad.

Bad mechanics happen, lazy mechanics happen, and most often, dishonest ones happen.

**dbrowne1** · 01-14-10, 11:00

Originally Posted by Littlelebowski

OK, my truck that is fine working order (some of you have ridden in it) just got failed for VA safety inspection because of "loose" ball joints, moisture in one fog light and headlight, low rear brake pads, and a BB sized hole in a turn signal.

I'll replace the pads myself, see about the moisture in the headlights, and put some orange tape or something in the turn signal lens but am I crazy in thinking that this is BS? The truck drives fine, it's in good shape.

I know I'm swimming against the tide, but Virginia inspection is generally a JOKE compared to many other states. Try getting your car inspected in Massachusetts or New York. They'd run out of paper trying to write up all the issues they'd likely find on your truck.

There are also good and important safety reasons for not having broken/moisture-filled lights and loose ball joints which orionz already addressed. Brake pads should be obvious. There are enough ways I can get killed or maimed already, I don't need poorly maintained vehicles upping the odds out there when I'm driving.

On the more cynical side, leaving a case of beer or a box of donuts in the driver's seat when you drop it off can distract mechanics from minor things like cracks in the windshield or a hold in a light cover.

**orionz06** · 01-14-10, 11:05

Also, look at the positive to this. Extended driving with a loose front end component will cause uneven tire wear, and tires arent cheap. Also neglecting one front end component will accelerate the wear on the others. Once there is movement with a joint or tie rod end, the other connecting components are subject to conditions they are not designed for and will wear more quickly.

**HES** · 01-14-10, 11:26

This is one more thing that I love about living in Florida...we got rid of our inspection system in the very early 80s. Guess what, there hasn't been any increase in death, destruction, and derangement due to vehicles needing repair being on the road.

**Alex F** · 01-14-10, 11:26

Originally Posted by HES

This is one more thing that I love about living in Florida...we got rid of our inspection system in the very early 80s. Guess what, there hasn't been any increase in death, destruction, and derangement due to vehicles needing repair being on the road.

We can't have radar detectors either.

If it weren't for my ex and kids living up here I'd probably have moved by now, VA holds no special fascination for me.

**dbrowne1** · 01-14-10, 11:36

Originally Posted by HES

This is one more thing that I love about living in Florida...we got rid of our inspection system in the very early 80s. Guess what, there hasn't been any increase in death, destruction, and derangement due to vehicles needing repair being on the road.

That's because all of your accidents are caused by snowbirds driving vehicles that don't have enough mileage (or abuse, at a constant 15mph) to wear out or break.

**HES** · 01-14-10, 14:41

Originally Posted by dbrowne1

That's because all of your accidents are caused by snowbirds driving vehicles that don't have enough mileage (or abuse, at a constant 15mph) to wear out or break.

Don't forget that they stay in the left hand lane as well.