Rear A frames (Wishbones) Refurbishment

[jeff jackson]

Hi All,
I have found a company local to me who can soda blast, hot zinc spray and two pack paint my rear A frames.
I can forward details of the company if anyone is interested.
My question is though, has anyone used polybushes in the A frames?
I cant find anyone apart from this Australian company who makes poly bushes for the frames.
https://www.superproeurope.com/products ... leid=13648
If I am going to get my A frames reurbished I have to take the old bushes out, even though there is nothing wrong with them and possibly replace with Poly bushes.

[Spyder fan]

Sue Miller stocks polybushes for the Elan

http://www.mickmillerlotus.com/parts-superflex.html

Give her a call http://www.mickmillerlotus.com/contact.html

[Andy8421]

As do the usual suspects:

https://kelvedonlotus.co.uk/product/rear-wishbone-inner-kit-polyurethane/

I replaced my rubber bushes when they rotted from being soaked in oil. New bushes seem fine, no noticeable increase in road noise or vibration.

[Davidb]

I would second that. I fitted poly bushes a few years ago and have not regretted it-and that is with driving on very rough roads at times.

[Lotusian]

I have polybushes all round, as supplied by Sue Miller.
Easy to fit, work well.
Ian

[jeff jackson]

Thanks for the replies chaps.
I will contact Sue next week and get a set from her.
Kind regards
Jeff.

[Roland]

Jeff,

I have Polybushed my A frames. I found it takes time to get the outer bush to fit properly and can require slight fettling of the A frame or strut.

My whole car is polybushed and I found that the fit of different manufacturers bushes varies. In the end I fitted Superpro bushes because I struggled with some of the other manufacturers. I have used Superpro on my other non lotus cars and they design the bushes in house so can provide proper technical support.

Regards

Roland

[IainP]

I’m just refurbishing the a frames and will use Superpro bushes.
For the outboard bushes does the top hat bush fit at the bolt head end or viceversa. Also where is the washer fitted, Under the bolt head? Finally what torque do you use, 35-40lb-ft as per metal static bushes?
Thanks in anticipation

[pianoderby]

I picked up a set for the front and rear from here:
https://autobush.co.uk/
I haven’t fit them yet as I need to repaint the parts after stripping them.

[alanr]

I have recently replaced my A frame bushes and I just fitted the standard bushes from SJS. I couldn't see the point of doing anything different that may result in issues like inferior ride etc. My view is why change something just for the sake of it.

Alan

[Roland]

I had bad experiences with Autobushe at the front of my elan. In my opinion they were the wrong size and the material is quite soft.

The best PU bushes I have used on my non lotus and lotus cars are from SuperPro. They are a professional Company and have a technical/design department who seem very knowledgeable.

R

[pianoderby]

Care to elaborate on the bad experience?

[jono]

I used Autobush and the bushes wore oval on the tube in a short period of time.

I removed them and fitted metalastic bushes which gave no problems.

On my current project I've also used metalastic bushes but found them slightly slack in the wishbones so had to slit the wishbone tubes and them tig them up to close them slightly. I think this was a manufacturing tolerance issue with the bushes (from SJS) so just be aware of that possibility.

[alanr]

Interesting Jon that your metalastic bushes from SJS were a bit loose.
Mine from SJS bought last August time were just the opposite and very tight and took quite some effort to press in even after grinding a leading edge on them.
Probably just the different A frame tolerances. I think my A frames are original Lotus.

Alan.

[IainP]

Having spoken to Colin at Superpro the answer is the top hat fits between the a frame and the hub housing.
Very impressed with the customer service from Colin@Superpro, he immediately mentioned the need for 145mm precise dimension between the two a arms.