Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

All this chat about galvanised Chassis reminds me of Ralphe Harris and the Aussie song about a Boomerang curved or not
The story still keeps coming back
Alan

alan.barker wrote:this is a Spyder Chassis with a bottom Pin problem too
Alan

Why keep posting the same one pic of a failed spyder chassis when lotus chassis were failing from the beginning?

Going through old files, I came across reprints from Lotus Remarque that I got in 1977, when I lived in the US and was still a member of Lotus Ltd. I came upon this article with some amusement.

Remarks by an expert taken with respect. I did change the springs from side to side and the results were the same. I would suspect that if springs were the issue, the difference would move with the springs.

I did not check the front as it all seemed ok up there. My gut tells me that the difference in the rear was due to chassis flex but that and a few bucks will get you a coffee at Starbucks. Again, I still think it's a duck, but I could be wrong.

tvacc wrote:Remarks by an expert taken with respect. I did change the springs from side to side and the results were the same. I would suspect that if springs were the issue, the difference would move with the springs.

I did not check the front as it all seemed ok up there. My gut tells me that the difference in the rear was due to chassis flex but that and a few bucks will get you a coffee at Starbucks. Again, I still think it's a duck, but I could be wrong.

Issue could be with front suspension and cross weights between LF and RR, and, RF and LR not just the rear springs themselves. When chasing suspension issues all 4 wheels interact

cheers
Rohan

If a new front or body section is added as it cures can it twist/warp and effect the Chassis.
Alan

I really don’t understand the concerns about galvanising distortion. I have never seen any articles with before and after dimensions that prove it happens and to what extent. If we were talking about a half inch movement then there may be a concern but I suspect we are talking less than .100” if anything. That will probably upset Lewis Hamilton’s Merc but an Elan with a normal driver?

Any Residual stresses due to welding come out with time anyway causing distortion, it’s why castings for accurate applications are left outside for a few years before machining. I suspect galvanising just hastens the process.

Accept what you have and set the suspension up carefully. Let’s not even think about corrosion of none galvanised chassis allowing distortion.

Just an opinion!

Dave

+1 Dave,
and it will never rust, well mine hasn't after 35 years.
For many the chat about twisted Chassis is just part of the banter at the Bar.
I don't think Spyder make adjustable rear "A" frames just to help out misleaded owners who have twisted Lotus Galvanised Chassis (nice little business Dell boy)
Alan

+1 Dave and Alan.

I shim the rear de Dion tube ears to correct for welding distortion (on the tube) on my Caterham, accurately set up toe, camber and corner weights, but its life is spent on the limit on hillclimbs.
My Elan’s 35 year old rust free galvanised chassis, made on God knows whose jig, gets me to the supermarket and cruises around the beautiful North Wales roads perfectly.

Depends on what you use the car for.

Just my tuppence worth.
Malcolm