Poor handling S4

[olly22n]

Hello,

Haven't darkened these doors for a while, but have had my first child and generally been too busy to do anything with the elan.

However. The time is getting near to sorting out her handling problem. My elan is the only one I have driven, and if it wasn't for countless respected drivers and journos reporting just how good they are to drive, I would have sold it by now!

Mine; steers from the rear (not in the good way, like it is on castors!), weaves, tramlines, jinks, all too easily affected by the wind. It generally doesn't inspire confidence to enjoy a challenging road, nor to allow the wife to drive it!


What I am planning maybe overkill, which is to replace every piece of the suspension that can degrade and affect the handling, then get it some new boots and a full geo set up.

Before a fool and his money are easily separated, I would like to ask for the opinions of lotuselan.net as to what maybe the problem, and what the easiest solutions are. Hell, if you are local and its dry, come drive the thing!

Thanks,

Misdirected of Stamford.

[garyeanderson]

Check your toe in, factory spec is 1/16 to 3/16 inch. check to see if there is any play in the front or rear suspension. report back with your findings. Where is Stamford? U.K. or Ct?

Gary

[collins_dan]

I have an S4 and had trouble with similar characteristics, changing the tires probably made the biggest difference in tracking straight. Toe in, as Gary suggests, is another good one to check. Both my tie rod ends and universal steering coupling had perished, so replacing them made the car go where I aimed it, reducing that sloppy, unpredictable feel. I haven't gotten to the expensive stuff yet (shocks, springs...), but don't feel the pressing need anymore as the car is driving great. Dan

[olly22n]

Stamford, lincolnshire, england.

Quite a distance from your good self it seems.

[gino1]

Hi Olly,
As you are only 20 miles away from Pat Thomas in Spalding I'd take it down to have it properly checked over. Sounds to me as you have wheel alignment or bush or other "loose" problems.
Gino
Milano
Italy

[olly22n]

Tell me more about this Pat Thomas, never heard of him!

Thanks for the suggestions. Tyres are a major concern and will be changed.

[olly22n]

Is this him?

http://www.kelsport.net/contact.asp

[nebogipfel]

Excuse me chipping in but that's him, Kelvedon Motors. Knows Elans inside out.

The obvious thing to cause rear wheel steering on an Elan would be the rear wishbone bushes. .....but get Pat to look it over

[ceejay]

Rear steering characteristics in an elan is more likely due to stuffed suspension bushes... remove wishbones and check the inner & outer bushes, if worn replace them all with urethane (red)bushes or what you guys call poly.
Col

[nebogipfel]

......... if worn replace them all with urethane (red)bushes or what you guys call poly.
Col

Or perfectly good original equipment ones

[olly22n]

Chip away! Pat isn't far from me, will give him a bell tomorrow.

[stuartgb100]

Hi,

Hope you'll excuse my pennyworth, but it's well worth allowing half a day when you visit Pat.
Suggest you take a notebook and pen to make notes.

You will have to go a long way to get such knowledgeable and free advice.

Regards,
Stuart.

[elanfan1]

Whilst bushes, suspension adjustment, tyres and many more things can and are likely to be the problem - you have got to start with a good and straight chassis. Has it been renewed do you know?- if not maybe you have some rusted bits that are starting to move of their own accord in which case you are into some major expense. IMHO worth checking this aspect before digging elsewhere.

If you can get Pat to take a look, give you an appraisal and perhaps an estimate that would be a great start.

Good Luck with it.

[garyeanderson]

Hi,

Hope you'll excuse my pennyworth, but it's well worth allowing half a day when you visit Pat.
Suggest you take a notebook and pen to make notes.

You will have to go a long way to get such knowledgeable and free advice.

Regards,
Stuart.

Hi Stuart

Oh I don't know about that, some folks here on this forum give a lot of time with experiance that spans multiple decades and their rates are pretty competitive with that "free" part you mentioned. Not too many that haven't taken advantage of the people here that give 24 hours a day 365 days a year that I know of. You don't need a note book or have to leave you home either just the ability to read and type a question gets you a long way towards solving the problems you have.

Gary

p.s. the search function lets you help yourself too!

[ceejay]

Couldn't agree more!
Col.