Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Mr so-called blue slip mechanic bloke just disputed the fact that mud flaps need to be at the centre of axle, however as far as I'm aware that ruling is for 'passenger cars'. A four wheel drive vehicle is excempt from this rule and is 600.00mm from the ground. Or at least, this is what I thought it was and have always known it to be. 4WD Action said the same words a few years ago in an article. "Lob them off with an angle grinder" or some such wording.

My question is: Is this 600.00mm tried, true and correct? And if so, is it written somewhere in the ADR's? or is it some sub by-law ?
Anyone know with great guru-ness confidence?

Would love to find it in writing and then to go and shove it in his face and have the cheap thrill of being right for once.

cant really help you with facts bushy but ive always been lead to believe they have to go as far as the axels.I always make sure mine do come rego time anyway

for my engineering it was agreed that the mud flaps must cover the tread area of the tyre (width) - sidewall is allowed to stick out but preferred not to. The length MUST come down to the centre of the axle. There is actually a different specification on it, which was the angle between the road/tyre/bottom of mud flap - which was 30 degrees from memory... which for my sierra meant that the mudflap would technically have to sit about 80-100mm BELOW to axle! but i got away with it as it was =)

bushy555 wrote:4WD Action said the same words a few years ago

Well it must be true.

Although i'd tend to go off the guy in this thread called Athol and stick with 300mm

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/sutra1692 ... ed#1692227

He might know a thing or two about what's required by law.

I just got my 80 engineered and the flaps had to be no more than 300mm from the ground.

the general rule most engineers go by is that mud flaps have to be no more than 300mm from the road surface,

thou, some will let you get away with centre line of the axle, i normally make mine 300 from the road and never had any dramas, with blue slip or engineers,

30cm for me too when I got my engineers cert in the ACT

So here's the ADR that appears to apply to everything other than passenger cars (MA) and motorbikes (L group)

15.2.5. Notwithstanding the requirements specified above the wheel guard including a mudflap (if fitted) need not be less than 230 mm from the ground for other than off-road vehicles, or 300 mm in the case of vehicles designed for off-road operation.

From http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Legisla ... E8001E4E24

Sweet - thanks everyone. Muchly appreciative. Is now stuck in the head forever.

I'll now eat my '600mm' words with chicken salt and hot chillie sauce.

FWIW, the 300mm rule was in force when my vehicle was engineered, but mine was passed without meeting the 300mm.

I have the original factory molded mudflaps, which are quite substantial and rigid, and don't quite extend to the outside sidewall (wide tyres on increased track) - but they do cover the tread width.

The engineer's argument, which was accepted by SA Transport, was that the mudflaps don't quite comply with the letter of the ADR, but:

1. they come close
2. being rigid, they will do a better job of meeting the intent of the ADR (i.e. limiting flying debris) than a cheap flexible aftermarket replacement that complies with the letter of the ADR.

Sometimes, common sense prevails.

I was defected for no rear mudflaps and the traffic copper gave me a written warning that they had to be no more than 300mm from the ground for offroad type vehicles and 200mm for road cars.

cheers

Jeeps wrote:I was defected for no rear mudflaps and the traffic copper gave me a written warning that they had to be no more than 300mm from the ground for offroad type vehicles and 200mm for road cars.

cheers

300mm for offroad, and 230mm for normal vehicles (most trucks too)