Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hey guys my +2 is sitting high at the front see pics wondered if you guys can help have i done something wrong

Well, you've done a lot more than I have, as my car's body shell is still off the chassis!

But from your pic, I would say there is a washer where it shouldn't be. Looks like you have a washer for the bushing rubber UNDER the bushing rubber, instead of letting the rubber bushing sit directly on the shock rod/spring retaining disks. I attach a pic of how it is on my car. NOT that my front suspension is a model, but I did put it back the way it came to me (only with rebuilt shocks and new rubber bushings).

Regards,

Randy

Randy, do you have full nuts on your wishbones? bit off subject but it's important threads protrude through the nylock.

Yes, I do right now. A little scary, eh?! Will eventually fix that!

Thanks, Chris.

It's Typical Lotus for you, no reason why they couldn't make the studs slightly longer rather than use some obscure nut.

Ok many thanks for the very quick response thanks guys rightyo off to the garage I go Cheers

I think you'll find the washer should be where it is in the first post , all looks OK to me.

Have you fitted new springs?
Have you taken it for a run to let it bed in?

John

Part #050C6026 in the Plus 2 Parts Manual (Suspension, Front) does not show a tall cast-in length above the disc (seat for the top spring abutment), but there could be a variety. The manual does spec a washer under the rubber bush, I'll give you that. But I will maintain that the perch you have for the rubber bush, looking a good half inch above the spring abutment disc and seat/retainer, is adding to your ride height and serves no purpose, at best.

Of course, different spring during the rebuild could certainly be an issue and may need many miles to settle in (I chose to reuse my springs as I liked the existing ride height).

Good luck, let us know how you get along . . .

Randy

...and have you tightened up the nuts/bolts with the suspension " dangling " or at ride-height.?

John

A couple of sets I have in the shed...

Top and bottom rubbers/washers



Just the bottom rubber/washer.




John

Yeah, interesting, John. I'd have to go through my assembly pix or take mine apart to compare. It's possible my retainer has that short tower on it, too, and I simply put the bushing on top without a washer/cup and the bushing pushed right down onto the flat of the abutment and retaining discs.

Still looks like it's not serving the PO well, as he apparently needs to reduce height. Perhaps, as you say, he can get it to sit lower if he loosens the wishbone nuts and bounces it down a bit.

Randy

Here's a picture of mine, mind you, it's not been on the road yet so I don't know what the ride height will actually be.

Simon
Ps, my spindles do protrude one full thread through the nylon, I had my own spindles made a few mm longer than standard so I could use standard nuts, and I did use the correct spec steel for the spindles, bought a length in specially for them.

I bought the shocks as part of a pack but cant confirm the spring spec but i do think the washer bush combination could be my issue but any other thoughts welcome thanks guys
John

She was tightened up on a drive on ramp so don't think its that

You learn something new every day. My +2 never has had the rubber bumper shown in everybody's pics and the parts manual (now that I've looked) since I've owned the car. Should they be there even with Konis?