Very Important Rear Suspension Parts.

[ceejay]

Could it be that there are several lotus elan out there on the road not fitted with the proper Aeon rubber springs. There is also another important item that can be assembled with the Aeon rubber springs, and that is the aluminium risers that sit on top of the strut housing as shown in the photo below.

The risers will bring the bump stop into action a little earlier and help prevent roll during cornering. Rohan made me wise to this, and it definitely works.

I can tell you from personal experience the vast improvement in the handling and ride that was gained after fitting two new Aeons and two new aluminium bump stop risers.
The photos below illustrate the Aeons and the risers assembled on the struts, and a close up of the machined risers.
There have been suggestions that Aeon rubber springs are almost impossible to source. I believe that to be incorrect, as Aeon rubber springs or helpers are produced by Timbren in Canada.
Aeon? Rubber Springs
http://timbren.com/aeon-springs/

Timbren?s Aeon? springs provide a reliable alternative to metal and
air springs. Aeon? springs have improved suspension performance both
as a sole suspension and as a spring helper for over 40 years.
320 Hopkins St. Whitby, ON Canada
L1R 2B3
PH: 905-444-9004
PH Int: 1-800-263-3113
Email: [email protected]" target="_blank" target="_blank
I have zero financial interest in this company. And I am sure if you made contact they could/would put you in touch with suppliers in your region.

[Frogelan]

Thanks for your note Ceejay (and did you make the aluminium "risers"?)

From what I have understood, many folks discard these parts and fit harder springs and smaller polyeurothane bushes, which is obviously a personal choice and possibly linked to an ideal of lower ride height.

I have assumed that Colin Chapman and Ron Hickman knew a trick or two when it came to suspension (a clever way to get rising rate suspension) and acting on the good advice of Rohan, have just bought some "Aeons" which are available from Kelvedon (GB).

However, I did not buy aluminium "risers" as Rohan suggested he used other bushings. I will what I have and see if I need these as well.

[ceejay]

Frogelan

Yes, the proper Aeons are a necessary part of the elan rear suspension. The aluminium risers also activate the Aeon bump stop into play earlier than normal. The aluminium risers, yes we machined them in house, the original factory were die cast items. Note that extra internal relieving is required when fitting risers to struts with Spax or any strut insert that has a hex nut... if Koni special sport are fitted, the extra internal relieving wont be required.

Maybe other items could be substituted for the riser... but I'll play the purist here for a moment, if that's what was originally installed, and we know that it works 100% correct, then that's what I would install.

[Frogelan]

Hi Ceejay

I will be running NOS Konis (front and rear) modified by SP suspension (valves, droop etc). I have chosen this route as I think it is closest to original spec if Armstrongs are not used.

Would it be possible to know the context of the use of your risers (road, fast road, race / 2.25'' springs / rating of the rear springs (110 lb/inch?) / height of the springs (9" or 10") ) and whether you are running off a small quantity of risers for impecunious anoraks like myself ?

Andrew

[snowyelan]

Ride height too please.

Thanks,

[ceejay]

A run down on the S2 elan with the trikbits.

Car is built for fast road, all though as Rohan mentioned,
it handles better than the average elan through corners, but
lacks engine power... But, there is a bigger engine on the way,
but build progress is slow... quite slow in fact.

Front suspension:
Adjustable Tubular upper wishbones.
Koni shocks (Sport) fitted with adjustable spring platforms.
Shocks are fitted with the correct Cellasto bump stops.
Springs: Eibach - 120Lb rate - (With less working coils than orig springs to prevent coil binding)
Front ARB - 19mm Dia Bar (Non adjustable)
Wheels: Three Piece Simmonds alloys 14" X 6"
Tyres: Falken Azenis RTK615K 195/60R14
Front Right Height: 142mm (Sill to garage floor meas)

Rear Suspension:
CVDS Conversion.
A frames - Fully adjustable.
Shocks: Koni Sport Special D
Aeon Bump stops plus aluminium Strut riser blocks
Springs: King - 80Lb Rate. (Narrow - wound to Std factory length)
Adjustable spring platforms.
Rear ARB - Adjustable Blade type.
Wheels: Three Piece Simmonds alloys 14" X 6"
Tyres: Falken Azenis RTK615K 195/60R14
Ride Height Rear: 175mm (Sill to garage floor meas)

As Carroll Smith says in "Prepare To Win".
There's No Magic - Just a lot of dedicated hard work and effort
involved in getting things right on your car.

Machining of aluminium risers - It's possible if enough interest is
shown to machine a few sets - PM me.

If you can do all of the work on the car your self, it wont cost much more than parts
and your time... farm it out to others and the cost will be considerably
more, but that's the choice you'll have to make based on your own
circumstances.
Once you arrive at a certain point with your car and you are happy with the way it drives and
handles, leave it at that, don't fiddle, you could make it worse.
Hope this is of some help to you.

[fatboyoz]

Hi Ceejay,
What rear Spring diameter did you use to clear the Aeon rubber springs.
Cheers,
Colin.


quote="ceejay"]A run down on the S2 elan with the trikbits.

Car is built for fast road, all though as Rohan mentioned,
it handles better than the average elan through corners, but
lacks engine power... But, there is a bigger engine on the way,
but build progress is slow... quite slow in fact.

Front suspension:
Adjustable Tubular upper wishbones.
Koni shocks (Sport) fitted with adjustable spring platforms.
Shocks are fitted with the correct Cellasto bump stops.
Springs: Eibach - 120Lb rate - (With less working coils than orig springs to prevent coil binding)
Front ARB - 19mm Dia Bar (Non adjustable)
Wheels: Three Piece Simmonds alloys 14" X 6"
Tyres: Falken Azenis RTK615K 195/60R14
Front Right Height: 142mm (Sill to garage floor meas)

Rear Suspension:
CVDS Conversion.
A frames - Fully adjustable.
Shocks: Koni Sport Special D
Aeon Bump stops plus aluminium Strut riser blocks
Springs: King - 80Lb Rate. (Narrow - wound to Std factory length)
Adjustable spring platforms.
Rear ARB - Adjustable Blade type.
Wheels: Three Piece Simmonds alloys 14" X 6"
Tyres: Falken Azenis RTK615K 195/60R14
Ride Height Rear: 175mm (Sill to garage floor meas)

As Carroll Smith says in "Prepare To Win".
There's No Magic - Just a lot of dedicated hard work and effort
involved in getting things right on your car.

Machining of aluminium risers - It's possible if enough interest is
shown to machine a few sets - PM me.

If you can do all of the work on the car your self, it wont cost much more than parts
and your time... farm it out to others and the cost will be considerably
more, but that's the choice you'll have to make based on your own
circumstances.
Once you arrive at a certain point with your car and you are happy with the way it drives and
handles, leave it at that, don't fiddle, you could make it worse.
Hope this is of some help to you.[/quote]

[ceejay]

Rear Coil Spring Specs:
Coil OD: 90mm
Wire Dia: 10mm
Length: Standard
Spring Rate: 80lbs

Hi Ceejay,
What rear Spring diameter did you use to clear the Aeon rubber springs.
Cheers,
Colin.


quote="ceejay"]A run down on the S2 elan with the trikbits.

Car is built for fast road, all though as Rohan mentioned,
it handles better than the average elan through corners, but
lacks engine power... But, there is a bigger engine on the way,
but build progress is slow... quite slow in fact.

Front suspension:
Adjustable Tubular upper wishbones.
Koni shocks (Sport) fitted with adjustable spring platforms.
Shocks are fitted with the correct Cellasto bump stops.
Springs: Eibach - 120Lb rate - (With less working coils than orig springs to prevent coil binding)
Front ARB - 19mm Dia Bar (Non adjustable)
Wheels: Three Piece Simmonds alloys 14" X 6"
Tyres: Falken Azenis RTK615K 195/60R14
Front Right Height: 142mm (Sill to garage floor meas)

Rear Suspension:
CVDS Conversion.
A frames - Fully adjustable.
Shocks: Koni Sport Special D
Aeon Bump stops plus aluminium Strut riser blocks
Springs: King - 80Lb Rate. (Narrow - wound to Std factory length)
Adjustable spring platforms.
Rear ARB - Adjustable Blade type.
Wheels: Three Piece Simmonds alloys 14" X 6"
Tyres: Falken Azenis RTK615K 195/60R14
Ride Height Rear: 175mm (Sill to garage floor meas)

As Carroll Smith says in "Prepare To Win".
There's No Magic - Just a lot of dedicated hard work and effort
involved in getting things right on your car.

Machining of aluminium risers - It's possible if enough interest is
shown to machine a few sets - PM me.

If you can do all of the work on the car your self, it wont cost much more than parts
and your time... farm it out to others and the cost will be considerably
more, but that's the choice you'll have to make based on your own
circumstances.
Once you arrive at a certain point with your car and you are happy with the way it drives and
handles, leave it at that, don't fiddle, you could make it worse.
Hope this is of some help to you.

[/quote]

[snowyelan]

Thanks for the setup info. Do you have a part # for the Aeon springs?

[Frogelan]

The link and part number for the Aeon part at Kelvedon can be found here (no affiliation):

http://www.kelsport.net/parts/product_d ... ctionID=26

X036D6013Z

I'm not sure who makes it for Kelvedon, but I can go and rummage in the "man cave" if you are curious.

Andrew

[snowyelan]

Hi Andrew,
if there's a part # on them it would be appreciated. The manufacturer is apparently only an hour away from me....

[Frogelan]

Hi Snowy,

No part number is visible.

Here are the dimensions.

Height 78mm.
Diametre 65 mm.
Hole at bottom 23mm.
Hole at top 14.6 mm.

Hope this helps. Please note that many folks call these Aeon springs but I think that they are necessarily all supplied by Aeon.

[nmauduit]

The link and part number for the Aeon part at Kelvedon can be found here (no affiliation):

http://www.kelsport.net/parts/product_d ... ctionID=26

X036D6013Z

I'm not sure who makes it for Kelvedon, but I can go and rummage in the "man cave" if you are curious.

Andrew

Hello Andrew,

following on on that topic, here are the progressive stops I've installed on my street car, from the same supplier:

http://www.kelsport.net/parts/product_d ... ctionID=26

I've cut them in half after discussing with them, since I have stronger springs than stock (120 lb/ft rear)

[SENC]

On this side of the ditch, Ray at RD has them. Part 36D6014

[Boomer100E]

Thanks for bringing this up Ceejay - How many millimetres does your spacer extend above the original strut tube?
I see that the Lotus workshop manual (2 seater), Section D.6 does mention this "bump limiting spacer" (Part No. 36 D 154) as an optional fit. But interestingly, they say that its purpose is to eliminate the possibility of grounding on rough terrain, or when heavily loaded.
Cheers, Doug