Removing front springs?

[Tmac897]

I've read somewhere that the front springs are difficult to remove, due to their length? Any special tools required, other than the standard spring compressor? Any tips or tricks I should know?

I want to strip and paint the springs and mounting tubes, and clean up the shocks. Although it was quite a few years ago that I last drove it, I don't remember any issues with the shocks, so I'm planning on reinstalling the old ones after cleanup. I'll replace them, if necessary, once I get back on the road

The rear shocks are a different story, as they are showing some corrosion on the exposed tubes. I also read somewhere else on this forum that shocks weren't available? They do have them in stock at Dave Bean, if anyone is looking...

Tony
1967 Elan TC

[69S4]

I couldn?t use std spring compressors on my front springs as the coils were too close together to get the hooks in. There?s all sorts of workarounds from custom made compressors to using ratchet straps, but whatever you do bear in mind that the static load on each spring is close to 300lbs so getting it wrong releases a lot of bouncy energy.

[baileyman]

I made a compressor out of 2" wide aluminum C section, threaded rod, and nuts, since no commercial compressor seemed sized small enough. A hole allows the rod of the damper to set into the C section, chucked in a vise. Then the threaded rods, beaten into hooks on the ends, pull the spring down quite nicely.

John

[alanr]

You can't use ordinary car spring compressors. There isn't the room between the spring coils.
This is what I made with threaded rod and a couple of plates to fit new springs and shocks to my +2:--

Alan.

[types26/36]

........or a Lotus front brake disc, a Lotus bolt on wheel and some threaded rod.

[HJF]

Not tried this on the Elan yet but on a Caterham I successfully used motorcycle spring compressors ... would this work on the Elan too?

[richardcox_lotus]

So a question on this topic.......the workshop manual implies that compressors should be used before the units are removed from the car.

As I understand it though, the springs and shocks can be removed as a unit, with the compressors used subsequently off the car.

Is the manual incorrect on this point ?

Regards
Richard

[types26/36]

So a question on this topic.......the workshop manual implies that compressors should be used before the units are removed from the car. Richard

??? I think you are confusing the rear shocks with the front shocks which is what is being discussed.

[Tmac897]

But you can take them off the car as a unit, springs, shocks, perches, etc., which is what I?ve done. Now I just need to get the springs and shocks apart.

[Tmac897]

........or a Lotus front brake disc, a Lotus bolt on wheel and some threaded rod.

Seems fairly ingenious. I don?t have the original wheels, though. Sigh.

[LaikaTheDog]

Did mine yesterday using ratchet straps
Also use ratchet strap to pull the front ARB together to get it over the damper bolts

[Tmac897]

Apparently none of you have read the myriad ?Don?t roll your own spring compressor? articles.

[billwill]

You can clean & paint the springs without taking them off the shock-absorber.

[types26/36]

You can clean & paint the springs without taking them off the shock-absorber.

Interesting ......how do you paint the spring if the shock has the shroud on it.....is it a case of out of sight....out of mind?


.

[Tmac897]

[quote="billwill"]You can clean & paint the springs without taking them off the shock-absorber.

Not a bad option. Depends on how I decide on my paint color scheme.

Some very interesting options all around.