Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffK5
I know for a fact it is illegal to alter/modify anything with a D.O.T stamp from it's originally approved design.
Beadlocks aren't illegal , hacking the bead off a non-lock wheel and welding a lock ring on is.... if it sees public roads.
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Completely true regarding altering DOT approved equipment, but probably a moot point when it comes to beadlocks because the law enforcement would 1) have to even know what a beadlock is and that the wheel had been modified from the original design 2) it's not one of those DOT approved fake beadlocks 3) it's not a true DOT approved beadlock (there are a few others out there now). Item 1 is considering that the vast majority of beadlocks are based on a wheel that is stamped DOT so they have would have to prove that the wheel had been altered from the original design which received the DOT stamp.
When it comes to steering it's definitely a moot point because none of the steering components are DOT stamped. I'm sure an officer could give you an equipment violation equipment but I would have to think it would be pretty easy to contest in court (assuming you were not in a wreck or something but rather a random stop).
Let me just clarify, I'm definitely not arguing with you but rather just making additional comments.
Keep in mind that for the majority of government required certifications on automobiles there is not some DOT police officer personally looking at and testing every component out there. Rather the manufacturers are supposed to "self-certify", basically meaning that GM, Ford, Honda, etc... designs and builds a car with their "word" that everything meets the government requirements. The government simply spot checks car and trucks by randomly selecting vehicles to test.