Simple Question

[Matt7c]

Minor question, but where does the other end of the bonnet spring attach to?

For reason unknown, the PO removed the bonnet spring and now I have a new one, I can't work out where it should go! My only thought is that it might attach on the metal frame for the electric fan....which my car doesn't have, because the PO replaced the original with a slimline aftermarket fan which attached direct to the radiator. Am I barking up the right tree?

Matt

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

The lower end of the spring should be attached to the steering rack.
All the best.
John

[Matt7c]

Thanks John. A little knowledge makes all the difference.
Matt

[lotus026]

Gee, the lower ends of both springs on my '65 S2 Elan were both hooked through a hole in the chassis about 6" behind the steering rack, and were original. At least I'm sure that nobody else other than Lotus would take new long clutch release springs and wind a loop in the straight section of one end, then tie fine wire around that part and solder it up to shorten the whole assembly!!
Dave
lotus026

[pereirac]

Both springs? I thought there was only one spring round the steering rack which hooked onto a clip at the center of the bonnet? At least that's what my Elan has.

[type36lotus]

I'm betting Dave's springs are not as beefy as the one on your Elan. I also have only one spring. It was so strong I added and extension to it to lessen the pull. Without the extension when I released the bonnet it woud literally jump up 8 inches. As a Lotus owner friend of mine said he had never seen an Elan bonnet spring up so strongly.

[types26/36]

Both the single spring and the two springs are correct, the S1/2 cars had 2 springs and the S3/4 cars had the single spring.
Brian.

[brassringfarm]

My bonnet has a metal reinforcing piece at the front with a hookprotruding below it as an attachment point for one spring. Earlier ones had two smaller springs (but larger than clutch return springs as a reacall - but I could be wrong) I got a new body and the fiberglas actually goes over top of the steering rack and provides a platform for the radiator to sit on. So I drilled a 1/4"hole in the fiberglas just foreward of the rack and put an 'eye-bolt' there to attach spring to. Works fine.
Good luck
Paul Zimmerman
65 S2