Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Having precariously installed these before, tried to come up with a better method with my home garage tools...

Used some angle I had at hand, about 1.125 inches inside, with cutouts equal to the bar diameter, angle overall length was 12 inches. A stronger angle would be better, but this worked ok. Used some white lube, once past half way the rubber almost pulls itself the rest of the way. Note the angle positioned on the bar such that it holds the drop link from moving out of position as they want to cock sideways otherwise.
As usual, use suitable caution as a significant "spring loading" on rubber bush when pushing in with the vice.





Jack

I wrapped so.e cardboard around the bar to protect the paint, clamped it in a vise, then used plenty of a line made for rubber assembly, and just worked it by hand. Went more easy than I expected; I think having a good lube makes all the difference

When i did this i fitted all the bushes to the drop links and then fitted the links to the bar. I used a vice and few sockets to press fit the bushes. Memory is that the roll bar bushes slipped in easily but chassis ones requires abit more effort. These were powerful poly bushes.

The link then slid on to the roll bar much easier than I was expecting. I think the key was a fresh coat of por15 paint on the roll bar that gives very smooth surface and some lube.

+1 for fitting to the links first then using ky to slide along the arb. Never had any difficulty that way. But kudos for an ingenious solution to the problem - although by complicating and adding weight it is totally at odds with the Chapman philosophy