Front suspension : the new bushes started to slide

[GregSCF]

hello,
I just rebuilt the front suspension of my 1970 Elan + 2S with new Spax adjustable shock absorbers, new bushes, new top ball joint, etc.
But have a problem with the Wishbone Bushes : after less than 10 miles of driving the bushes started to slide from their housing - see photos attached.

what can be the origin of the problem and did we miss something during their assembly?

Many thanks for your help
Best regards
Greg

[GregSCF]

IMG_3733.jpeg (84.25 KiB) Viewed 1301 times

5mm slide...

[GregSCF]

on both side...

[GregSCF]

OMG we forgot the washers under the nylon nuts!!!

they are not referenced in the parts list...
Does anyone know what kind of washers I have to use ?

[GregSCF]

[billwill]

I haven't checked but I would think that the washers outer diameter needs to be bigger than that of the outer of the bushes to stop the arm from sliding off, as the nut will pass right through the 'hole' that the bush fits in.


What did you do with the washers when you dismantled it?

[pharriso]

Greg, get used to using the search capability on this site, lots of good info...

2021-05-14 10_12_15-LotusElan.net_ Search.jpg (8.85 KiB) Viewed 1236 times

As you can see in this example you can do very specific searches & usually end up with good results...

p.s. Your washers are 1/2" ID & large OD!

[elanner]

As Phil said, lots of discussion on this elsewhere.

E.G.: viewtopic.php?f=42&t=21457&start=15

Nick

[GregSCF]

thank you very much for the info,

What did you do with the washers when you dismantled it?

surprisingly, there was no washer in place before.
but maybe the wishbones were stretched when we removed the old bushes? and are now too loose to keep the new bushes in place?

[alan.barker]

Maybe you could use Loctite on outer Dia of bush to stop moving in Wishbone.
Alan

[vstibbard]

Definitely need the large washers, but that would only limit this to contact with washers, did you press bushes with no lubricant as they are an inference fit. I've never had them move and have not resorted to using locktite etc.

Alternatively have you spaced the outer ends of the wishbones of fitted incorrect width top ball joints?

Regards

Vaughan

[alan.barker]

have you put the Wishbones the wrong way round That's to say back one to front and front one to back
Alan

[oldelanman]

have you put the Wishbones the wrong way round That's to say back one to front and front one to back
Alan

There's no difference front to rear ... or side to side.

[alan.barker]

have you put the Wishbones the wrong way round That's to say back one to front and front one to back
Alan

There's no difference front to rear ... or side to side.

OK. What do you suggest the problem is then
Alan

[661]

Just check that when the wishbones are back on, with the washers in place , that the gap they leave at their outboard side is the same as the width of the ball joint........sounds obvious I know.