Miscellaneous items
13-1 Engine and transmission
Reasons for rejection
Condition
1. The engine or gearbox is insecurely mounted.
2. A driveshaft is bent or severely damaged.
3. A driveshaft flange:
a) is insecure, or
b) has a bolt or nut missing.
4. A driveshaft support bearing is:
a) insecure, or
b) worn beyond manufacturer’s specifications.
5. A driveshaft universal joint spider (cross) bearing:
a) is worn so that the movement in the joint is beyond manufacturer’s specifications, or
b) caps have loose or missing cap bolts or circlips, or
c) is damaged, displaced or the seals between the spider journals and bearing caps are missing.
6. A rubber doughnut-type driveshaft coupling:
a) is worn or damaged beyond manufacturer’s specifications, or
b) is split or delaminated so that its mechanical integrity is affected, or
c) securing bolt is loose or missing.
7. A driveshaft slip joint (spline) is worn beyond manufacturer’s specifications.
8. The universals in the driveshaft are not fitted in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications.
Modifications
(see also Introduction 3.1.2: Note 3)
9. A modification (Note 1) affects the engine and transmission (Note 2), and:
a) is not excluded from the requirements for LVV specialist certification (Table 13-1-1), and
b) is missing proof of LVV specialist or accepted overseas certification, ie:
i. the vehicle is not fitted with a valid LVV certification plate (Note 3), or
ii. the operator is not able to produce a valid modification declaration or authority card , or
iii. the vehicle has not been certified to an accepted overseas system as described in Technical bulletin 13 .
Note 1 Definitions
Modify means to change a vehicle from its original state by altering, substituting, adding or removing a structure, system, component or equipment, but does not include repair.
Repair means to restore a damaged or worn vehicle, its structure, systems, components or equipment to within safe tolerance of its condition when manufactured, including replacement with undamaged or new structures, systems, components or equipment.
Note 2
LVV certification is always required for the fitting of a supercharger or turbocharger as a modification, or the upgrading of a supercharger, turbo or wastegate, or the re-chipping of electronic engine control units on turbo vehicles.
Note 3
Where an LVV certification plate has the engine type as ‘MOD’ after the make (eg Nissan MOD), that certification can cover a wide range of modifications, including aftermarket or modified wastegates, larger or modified turbochargers, re-programed ECU’s, and many other performance enhancements commonly fitted to a wide range of vehicles.
If presented with a vehicle with an engine modification and ‘MOD’ on the certification plate, assuming all other certification plate details match and all WoF requirements have been met, a WoF can be issued.
Note 4
Externally venting wastegates (screamer pipes) are not permitted and cannot be certified as they are not adequately muffled and the exhaust gasses do not exit behind the passenger compartment. However, wastegates that feed gasses into their own muffled exhaust system exiting behind the passenger compartment, or feed gasses back into the vehicle’s exhaust system, are permitted.
Table 13-1-1. Modifications that do not require LVV certification
Fitting of or modification to: | LVV certification is not required provided that: |
---|---|
Substitution of engines |
|
Minor modifications to OE engine |
Note that common minor modifications include the fitting of:
Note that minor modifications DO NOT include:
|
Gearbox substitution |
|
Change from 4WD to permanent 2WD (removal of drive train components in 4WD vehicles) |
|
Fitting of or modification to: | LVV certification is never required: |
---|---|
Any modification for the purposes of law enforcement or the provision of emergency services |
|
Note 5
Tuning/re-chipping includes any software or hardware (ECU or piggy back system) change that is intended to alter the fueling, boost pressure or ignition timing from the OE specifications.
Figure 13-1-1. A typical driveshaft assembly
Summary of legislation
Applicable legislation
Condition and performance
1. The vehicle must be safe to be operated.
2. The components and materials must be fit for their purpose and within safe tolerance of their state when manufactured or modified.
Modifications
3. A modification that affects the engine and transmission must be inspected and certified by an LVV specialist certifier, unless the vehicle:
a) is excluded from the requirement for LVV specialist certification (Table 13-1-1), and
b) has been inspected in accordance with the requirements in this manual, including those for equipment, condition and performance.
Page amended 1 October 2020 (see amendment details).