Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi

I am refurbishing my rear suspension on my 1969 S4 Elan and tried to take the wishbones off yesterday. All went well except for the front inner bolts on both sides. They both seem too long. Got the nut off and pushed the bolt and the head hits the body before it clears the bushing. There was about 3/8" sticking out of the lock nut, and that seems about the amount the bolt needs to move forward to clear the bushing. So did the PO install a longer bolt when the body was off the frame? I can think of two solutions, cut the bolt and reinstall with a shorter one, or cut a hole in both sides of the body alongside the tunnel behind the seats. Neither are appealing! Suggestions welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Bob Bulfin
Auburn, AL USA
69 Elan S4 DHC

It sounds like the bolts have been put in from the wrong side, probably when the body was off the chassis, they are supposed to go in with the heads to the rear and it is noted in the w/s manual.
Your options are to cut the bolts, cut a hole in the fibreglass or remove the body......I have cut the bolts before which is the best option although it is a pita.
There are some threads on the subject if you do a search.

Thanks for the quick replies guys. I guess I should have RTFM ( I would have for assembly). I have spent many hours searching this site for various things, but did not think this would be covered.

Maybe my PO will become a DPO.

Bob

There are several notes in the forum on ways to remove an incorrectly fitted bolt. I used one of these and it proved to be remarkably easy. The head of the bolt came off in no time. I then struggled to get the nyloc nut and body of the bolt out, past the diff torque rod stud, which on my chassis is welded in place. But that's because I was being dopey. Take the nut off first, because you can't get it off once you've removed the head!


Nick