Ride height/camber question

[GreekS1]

Hi again! Sorry if this has been posted before but Ive searched and I cant seem to find a definitive answer:

my s3 sits too low at the back. The back wheels are too 'opened up' ie a lot odf positie camber. Can anyone tell me the correct camber angle for road use as well as the standard ride height front and rear?

Thanks
Vassilis

[andyelan]

Hi there Vassilis

I believe rear camber should be 0 to 0.5 degrees positive for series 1 and 2 Elans and
0 to 1 degree for series 3 Elans onwards and Plus 2s.

I was always under the impression ride height was 6 inches (to the underside of the chassis closure plate) for Elans and 6.5 inches for Plus 2s. I can't really see why the ride high of the Plus 2 should be greater than that of the Elan other than the fact it's on bigger tyres.

Hope this helps
Andy

[jkolb]

Is the chassis closure plate the flange that the body bolts to on the "backbone"?

Thanx

Jerry

[andyelan]

Hi Jerry

"Chassis closing plate" is what it says in the workshop manual but I've never been too sure myself exactly what this means. The description suggest heights should be taken to the centre of the chassis spine ,however, from my measurements its the flanges on which the body mounts which are in line with the front cross member (actually the top of the flanges) so its these positions I use as datums just as you suggest. If you do set the ride height exactly the same at these positions, the chassis and more importantly the rear wishbone pivot axis, will then be parallel to the ground, which I assume is how it's supposed to be.

All the above applies to my '73 Plus 2 but I assume it the same for the Elan

Regards
Andy

[GreekS1]

Thank you for your replies!!

I will take the car to have it for allignment soon... I just hope I dont need new rear springs ....

Vassilis

[GreekS1]

Just a pic to show how the car sits... It has quite some positive camber in the rear!!

http://s727.photobucket.com/albums/ww27 ... C03506.jpg

[elj221c]

Vassilis,
From your photo it would appear you have negative camber as the wheels are closer at the top than at the bottom.
I have to disagree with Andy. From the workshop manual it should be between 0 and 1 degree negative on the back. A little negative is what I like.
Again, from section C (front suspension) the 6" height at the rear is to the bottom of the chassis rail adjacent to the pivots. At the front it should be 6.125".

Roy
'65 S2

[andyelan]

Hi there

Apologies, Roy's quite right, its 0-1 degree negative at the back. I'd not looked properly given the figures for the front suspension. Sorry about that.

Andy

[peterako]

Hey Vassilli!

My Cam cover's green too (I painted it that way out of patriotic duty )

Peter

[GreekS1]

Looking good peter!!