Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi All

One of my bushes has just collapsed on the anti-roll bar to drop link, so while I am replacing it I may as well fit a poly bush kit.

Is it only the ARB to drop link I need to fit, or should/can I replace bushes at either end while I am doing that job? I have read a few posts about how to replace the ARB to drop link bush, so am prepared for a battle!

Where the best place to buy the kit, Susan Miller? They seem to do Superflex bushes.

Sorry I am not fully knowledgeable yet, so learning as I go. Thanks for your help.

Rich

Hi. I would do the lot while you have it off, I did mine a couple of years ago from memory it was'nt to bad a job
David

+1 - definately do both. I used sue Miller poly

I found it a pain TBH, lots of washing up liquid and swearing later I eventually got them pushed on but it was a bugger.

The goods news is 11k miles later they are still in great shape (unlike the poly trunnion bushed which i've now got rid of).

...and use a ratchet strap to pull in the ARB ends

Jon

Thanks guys. So when you say "do the lot" can you let me know what to order, as I am not fully knowledgeable!
Sue Miller's site says they sell: trunnion, torque rod/lower front shock absorber, anti-roll bar drop link and lower bushes and rack mountings.

Many thanks

Rich

I found it a lot easier than expected. I think this was for one reason, I painted (POR15) my anti roll bar before fitting the bushes. The smooth paint surface + lubricant supplied allowed the bushes to easily slip over the anti roll bar.

You need the anti roll drop link bushes and a anti roll to shock bushes (these are same as diff rod bushes). Just ring Sue and she'll sort you out.

Thanks very much, I will get on it next week.

Rich

You mention that you are learning as you go, so I recommend you read up on pollybushes vs. rubber. Draw your own conclusions as opinions are polarised, so you question will likely only get a positive response.

Rather than push the anti roll bar link onto the bar, I put the link with the new bush fitted into the vice and push the bar through the link it makes the job very easy.

The polybushes certainly with stand oil contamination much better than the original items.

I'm with mBell...I cleaned the ARB and sprayed with por15. A little drop of washing liquid and the new polly bush slipped on relatively easily.Best of luck.
Regards, George.

If i was taken it all apart id want to change all the bushes to poly types.
Theres a few outfits that sell complete sets but ill be using Sue Miller when i change mine over.

Poly bushes are fine in applications where they aren't likely to feed much in the way of noise and harshness into the chassis - eg. anti-rollbar mounts. For a road car at least I much prefer rubber for noise and harshness critical applications such as spring mounts, wishbone mounts etc. Also when you fit poly bushes make sure the inner metal spacer is well lubricated and made of stainless steel. Mild steel spacers eventually rust and your suspension ends up squeaking and creaking like crazy.

They are probably fine on a race car or a sunny days only car but there's good reasons as to why rubber is still the most preferred material amongst automotive OEM's.

Just be sure you get the arb bushes for the Elan or the plus 2. They are different.

I found this out the hard way after the vendor sent me plus 2 bushes by mistake. Too large for the Elan arb. They certainly went on easily though!

Thanks for your help everyone. I have decided to go down the poly route for these bushes and will give Susan Miller a call today. Hopefully I can find time to fit them one evening, and your tips will be invaluable to save lots of swear words!

Many thanks

Rich

Thanks for the advice everyone, I did the job on Saturday and it was pretty straight forward. The silicon grease Susan Miller supplied was really helpful and the droplinks with bushes already installed slipped over with a good dose of elbow grease and the bush in the vice.

The knocking noise has been cured.

Kind regards

Rich

I’m in the process of poly bushing all of the suspension and your biggest friends are a tube of silicone grease and a vice . After removing the ARB I drilled out the old bushings on the drop links and cleaned and painted the ARB and drop links . Siliconed the bushes and put them in with the help of a vice.

I then secured the ARB In the vice lubed up the bushings on the drop links and simply slid them over the flat shock absorber connection .

When mounting on the car made sure there was silicone on the ends of the drop link to chassis bushing and easily slid them into position and bolted them up job complete.