Front Wishbones Identical Front to Rear?

[jbeach]

Folks,

Rebuilding my front suspension. As you know, the upper and lower wishbones are each made up of an arm in the front and an arm in the rear. I've removed mine and pressed out the metalastic bushes (no rust ). As I clean, paint, and re-bush (new verb for OED?) do I need to keep the front arms distinct from the rear ones, or are they interchangeable? While I'm asking, are the left and right wishbones handed?

Many thanks!

John

[jbeach]

I've stopped my laziness and answered my own question.

The Lotus parts manual lists one part number x 4 for the upper and one part number x 4 for the lower wishbone: 026C 001 and 026C 002. So the front wishbone pieces are identical front-to-back and side-to-side. This knowledge simplifies things a bit for me during the cleaning, painting, and re-assembly process.

While I should have gotten off my butt and found this out before posting, I hope this saves someone else a few minutes in the future.

Best,

John

[CBUEB1771]

John, your self-reply and mine must have crossed in the ether. Assuming you have Lotus control arms, not Spyder, they are the same, front and rear, both at the top and bottom locations. This is true on the Elan and +2. The Service Parts Lists show one part number, quantity four per car, for the upper arms and the same for the lower.

[jbeach]

Thanks Russ.

I was happy to see these wishbones (along with my entire suspension) are amazingly preserved. Right lower is only slightly ovalized on the non-bushed end:

I'm just planning to weld a couple of washers on the inside of the arm to square things back up. Your thoughts?

Best,

John

[dougal9887]

I cut, shaped and welded in plates covering both holes then re-drilled the holes. Just check the plates aren't too thick and still allow a thread to show beyond the (shallow) nyloc nut.
Dougal.

[jbeach]

Thanks Dougal. Sounds like a more precise, easier, and likely sturdier approach. That's what I'll do.

Best,

John

[Lyn7]

Hi, I fitted new front wishbones a few years ago and the replacements had washers tack welded over the holes as suggested! Very hi tech but appears to work. Lyn...