Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Putting back a rear suspension on an Elan Coupe, trying to get it finished for LOG.
Putting in new rear neoprene bushings. How do the bushings go?
edit, and dont tell me the wishbone is bent. NAPA did that. Had to buy new wishbones.
Top photo or bottom photo?

I'll start by saying "I don't know" but my first thoughts would be that it all depends on the width of the upright casting and how thick those end flanges are on the bushes.

Without going to look I'm not 100% sure but I don't think there are any washers between the bolt holes in the casting and the wishbones. In which case, #1 would be ok. If there are spacers then with any luck assembly #2 would work.

Whichever route you take I'd do one side & then assemble with the wheel in place. There's not a lot of clearance and if you need to assemble with the flanges outside then it might be a close fit with the wheel if it's a 2-seater Elan.

Random thought - are the flanges necessary anyway ? The originals are just standard cylindrical bushes.

This is how mine fit. There is a thin washer between the bush and the alloy housing.

Alan

Also make sure that if you are replacing the suspension frames while the body is off, make the bolts heads of the chassis mounts face each other with the rear nut towards the diff and the forward nut towards the gearbox, otherwise you will not be able to get the suspension frame off for future maintenance with the body on, without EXTREME difficulty

Body is on car.

On mine the flange is on the outside. Not enough room on the inside. I also have a thin washer on the outside, or else the bolt head would sink into the flange. I seem to recall thinning the outside flange to accommodate the thin washer and avoid hitting the wheel. There is nothing on the inside. The gap to the strut assembly housing is minimal. It's a shame about the wishbone. Maybe it can be straightened and kept as a spare. All the best, Dan

Thy bent both. Both the same way.

Why are you using poly bushings in the first place ? I am sure your replacing the originals and they were how old ?

I am doing this for a friend that that is what he wanted. I probably would have gone the same way as well just becuase of the ease in putting them in.