Rear Suspension Overhaul

[rgh0]

I have always assumed Lotus did it as the cast aluminium alloy ears that the rear bolts go through are relatively soft and this can cause the bolts to loose tension and come loose hence lock wiring the rear bolts. The steel bracket ears at the front don't suffer from the same problem hence no lock wire

One day I must look at some more modern cars to see what they do if the have similar aluminium alloy caliper mountings

cheers
Rohan

[jbeach]

I've heard it said that Lotus specified rear safety wiring our of a concern the different heat-induced expansion characteristics of the cast-iron calipers vs. aluminum ears might cause the bolts to loosen over time. And that the specification wasn't necessary on the fronts because they are standard iron-on-iron Triumph parts.

Rohan's explanation seems more plausible to me.

Here's my rear, as of this morning, waiting for brake bleeding and hub installation:

The safety wiring was easy (actually fun) once i found a source for the wire itself.

SENC, please keep us updated as you continue and I'll do the same.

-John

[Bigbaldybloke]

When I ordered my wire locking pliers they came with a couple of metres of stainless locking wire.

[jbeach]

I've just been using vice grips - wire locking pliers are expensive! The vice grips aren't quite as fast, but the end-result has been fine. If I were safety-wiring a bunch of bolts on the car I'd have probably sprung for the specialized tool.

The only place I could find safety wire in Columbia, SC was O'Reilly's. The NAPA (a much bigger store) sales clerk had never heard of it!!

It's amazing how many times during this project I've unsuccessfully searched for an obscure part or tool, only to find it at my local O'Relly's. This store definitely doesn't cater to a classic British sports car clientele, but I've finally learned to look there first.

Cheers,

-John

[Bud English]

It's amazing how many times during this project I've unsuccessfully searched for an obscure part or tool, only to find it at my local O'Relly's. This store definitely doesn't cater to a classic British sports car clientele, but I've finally learned to look there first.

+1 on that and their tool loan program works well for something you need only once in blue moon or don't have room to store between uses.

[gjz30075]

Looking good, John!

[SENC]

Great looking rear! Mine isn't near as tidy.

Here's my rear, as of this morning, waiting for brake bleeding and hub installation:

Beach RR Suspension - Rebuilt.jpg

Beach LR Suspension - Rebuilt.jpg

The safety wiring was easy (actually fun) once i found a source for the wire itself.

SENC, please keep us updated as you continue and I'll do the same.

-John

[jono]

I've always thread locked those bolts and used no wire, never had any issues.

[rgh0]

I've always thread locked those bolts and used no wire, never had any issues.

Hi Jono
In your part of the UK you dont even need that as anything under the car rusts permanently in place in about a week

cheers
Rohan

[jono]

Rohan,

Your not wrong! Hadrian's wall runs through my garden (I kid you not!) - can't imagine how the Italians put up with it way back then. Cumbria is not called the piss pot of England for nothing

However today is lovely for a change.

[JonB]

Hadrian's wall runs through my garden (I kid you not!)

That's a picture I'd like to see.. what's left of it?

[jono]

Nothing left Jon,

To be precise part of it runs below our sitting room, or rather the route of the wall. Our pub as was is built on the Milecastle.

Once you get into Cumbria there's little of it left - on the Solway plain it was built in turf as there's no stone out there. Our house is partly built in part from Roman stone as the wall was robbed for it in years gone by

This is the best I can do - it's somewhere below the Mini!

[JonB]

The piccie of your Mini is a nice consolation prize, though.

Sweet!

[661]

Rohan,

Your not wrong! Hadrian's wall runs through my garden (I kid you not!) - can't imagine how the Italians put up with it way back then. Cumbria is not called the piss pot of England for nothing

However today is lovely for a change.

Looking forward to a trip up there in a month. Going to L'Enclume

[jono]

Nice if you like artistic food.

Took the wife for lunch there last year - 2 glasses of wine and lunch for two, ?165

Stopped for a pie on the way back