Yep.  I thought it would be something like that  and quite OK. and I have also noticed that you have been on here a long while so significant experience. All good.
I used to do scrutineering and Ive seen some bloody awful bodges presented as wonderful engineering.  Cheers.

Yeah sadly it's a common theme with older cars. Bodge fixes to get them passed inspections then zero ****s given.
 
I was quite ready for rego inspection to tear me a new one over anything I haven't already picked up on the car, but considering I've had it since 2011 and there's very little I haven't already gone over, I was glad that all my work has meant something. The only other things they pointed out was the front brake lines (rears are braided, just hadn't had a chance to swap the fronts over), and a tear in the steering rack bush which honestly I hadn't spotted, so fair call.

Hi michael, let me know when ur ready to sell... I'm quite keen to have a look.

Carmikey
Hi michael, let me know when ur ready to sell... I'm quite keen to have a look.

Mike, you need an intervention.. I can tell you're having withdrawal symptoms now that you only have 4 MR2's.. 

Carmikey
Hi michael, let me know when ur ready to sell... I'm quite keen to have a look.

Are you over this part of the country for MTC? I'm only in Canberra so not far away. Car ain't registered but if you're keen you're welcome to come around for a chat and look. Happy to show you the rego slip where it failed and if you want throw an offer.

So I ended up finding out that 50mm of play was the threshold, I was definitely not getting that much. Either way glad it's fixed.
 
I also ended up replacing the steering tie rods (with genuine Toyota replacements of course) along with TGP rack boots, and swapping in my Prothane bushes while I was at it. Steering is so much better!
 
Took it over the pits again and they picked up that the handbrake was out of balance on their dyno. Took it to a shop with their own dyno and they were able to prove it was the passenger side rear caliper was weak, and since rego inspection only picks up at a certain point of pressure, Eg. at 100% pedal, brakes were fairly even, but at 50% the passenger side was barely working. Handbrake imbalance was even worse, even with new handbrake cables.
 
I could have rebuilt the brakes myself, but instead opted for the shop to fix it for me since I didn't want to fail pits yet again, and I was short for time to meet deadline (Toyota Nationals). Also they said my HKS exhaust was too loud.
 
Dropped off my old muffler and picked up the car the following week with a bill that definitely hurt my wallet. Passed rego and immediately took it to a trusted steering and suspension shop for an alignment that would suit khana.
 
Ended up getting over 1.5 neg camber on rears, almost half neg on the fronts but good caster and a fairly neutral toe. I installed my HKS exhaust and whiteline front sway on stiffest setting, but was getting too much understeer on the khana. On the streets it isn't noticeable due to the speed difference.
 
Car is running the best it has but has since developed either a idler pulley or alternator bearing squeal on cold start indicating it's on its way out, so will sort that soon.
 
Sadly the car is up for sale, but at $6,500 negotiable due to the extra work I've put into it; the car is much more of a complete package with very little work needing to be done. I've already had some interest so pending on how goes, may advertise further. Also flexible in price depending on whether buyer wants the spare engine with rebuild parts.
 
I'll just leave this here. Car is so fun to drive and even with the lazy auto and factory boost, clean times still netted me best AW11 in the khana at the Nats (if only they had a trophy for that!)
 

And some more:

 

 

Ahhh... I've gotta buy this little Adub.. I love it!

Also got out to Canberra's All Japan Day. Haven't uploaded my photos yet but here's a HDR shot taken, car was in good company (see Hakosuka 2000GT in background)
 

And the nice ta22 next to you... All very nice.