Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

The S3 elan we recently bought has a loud knocking on the drivers side rear corner.

Stripped it down and fitted new Lotocone as existing one appeared different to a new one (see photo )LHD one is the old cone.

Reassembled but metallic knock is still there, not had time to have a good look round but any suggestions what may be the cause.

Car felt as though it wandered at rear before fitting new Lotocone. Not been out since fitting new cone.

Hope to get chance tomorrow.

TonyR

Maybe check the bushings in the wishbones. Is it on acceleration in a straight line, or when turning, or going over rough road sections...
Dan

shocker loose in strut tube?
diff hitting chasisis / broken top diff mount?
exhaust hitting chassis ?
lots of possible causes!

Need to see if you can identify in what circumstances it happens and dig around like you say to find whats loose that could be causing it

cheers
Rohan

What kind of dampers and springs do you have? Any movement at the top of the strut. My new TT dampers kept knocking as they were a couple of mm loose. They are meant to be impact wrench tightened, but in the end needed gripping and tightening by hand. Also, narrower springs can knock against the damper (mine do) which is apparently an annoying feature but OK.

Good luck!
Adi

Thanks for the responses. We stripped down the strut and found the AVO damper insert is moving about even though the nut was tight!

It looks as though a slim spacer/ washer should resolve this or a new nut with a greater depth.

There was also no oil in the strut tube although I can't see that helping remove the movement.

TonyR

Also, narrower springs can knock against the damper (mine do) which is apparently an annoying feature but OK

+1

Dave M..

Sounds like you found the issue.

I had a knocking that had me looking. Ended up being the bottom of the strut tube, the metal cap at the bottom had rusted right through and was not stopping the shock from going further down the tube.

We had to replace both struts. I have the old struts. some day I will have someone weld an aluminum cap over the bottom on the two struts..