Protech Dampers & Swaybar Fitting

[Chrispy]

I received my big box of parts from SJ a week ago or so which included some shiny new dampers and standard springs. They came unassembled, but that's another story... I built myself a slightly scary spring compressor and got them together ok.

Bit of a problem showed it's head when I went to install the sway bar. It's a few inches short of lining up. When lined up to my old Spax units there is a significant difference on the angle of the sway mount.

I've contacted SJ's but being the other side of the world I haven't received a email back as yet.

Any thoughts? Do they look like the correct units? Have I made a hash of something? Different swaybar from standard? All I could think is they were made for a baby Elan rather than a +2.

I did try and turn one of the dampers around but the sway mount hits the trunnion.

Going onto a early +2.

Pictures:

Old vs New

[JonB]

I'm no expert, but I'd expect the sway bar mounts to be perpendicular to the lower wishbones arms, which they appear to be from your pictures. If you're having trouble fitting the sway bar, maybe it is because your wishbones are in "full droop". Try jacking one up to normal ride position (horizontal) and see if they fit.

[elansprint]

I would agree with the above jack up the suspension both sides so the bottom wishbone is as straight as possible if you bolt up with them in full droop the metal cup can cut into the rubber good luck
Ian

[alan.barker]

Hi Chris,
the OLD Spax on the right looks about the same angle as original shocks i took off my 1973 +2S130 (just checked old +2 shocks).
I would say you have been supplied shocks for a baby Elan.
Alan
ps. just looked at my Elan Sprint and the NEW shock looks the same angle

[Chrispy]

I received a prompt reply from SJ?s and they have noted that the mounting pins should be perpendicular to the arms and it all looks like it should. Need to have the suspension loaded up for it to all line up properly. I?ll give it a go over Easter. Fingers crossed it?s just my ham fistedness, I?ve been thinking I was going to have to redrill the damper bodies or get a sway bar made

Quite happy with the units though, feel very well made and on a quick drive this afternoon they felt nice. Highlighted the shortcomings of something in the rear end though! Not looking forward to that too much though.

[LaikaTheDog]

Looks just like when I did mine... I notice you haven't bolted in your drop links.

I bolted in my drop links first. Then one end to the damper with the lower washer and nut... one rubber and washer at the top. No lower rubber.. Then I used a lorry load strap to pull the other end in until it juuuuuust goes over the bolt

Then used a jack to push the bar up the shaft to get all the rubbers and washers on....

It is the one job other than windscreen replacement which I avoid....

[alan.barker]

If both the front wheels are supported on ramps and weight of car on wheels the anti-roll bar will swing into place easily no forcing.
Alan

[69S4]

I just did this job two days ago but with new Spax units rather than Protech - not that it should make a difference. I initially tried to do it with the suspension in full droop (like in the photos) and the ends were similarly an inch or two out.

As soon as I put the car back on its wheels, and with the front compressed to its normal position, everything lined up - more or less. One side went straight on and the other was a mm or so out. It would go over the damper threads but needed a little persuasion to ride up over the unthreaded mounting area between the rubber bushes. Interestingly (worryingly?) the drop arms are pivoted right back against the chassis. I would have thought they'd be floating somewhere in the middle of their arc but not so.

[Chrispy]

Got the sway bar all fitted up. I too needed some help from a jack to get it located in the correct spot on the mount, but it slipped in well. Seemed to be enough clearance for th droplinks on mine.