Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi there.

Back at the elan after a 2 year hiatus. Wonder if anyone can help me. I'm just trying to bolt up the rear uprights to the a frames. Using new poly bushes. Re photos, there is a rather large gap either side. Wondering if the bushes are of insufficient length.

Have I missed something?


Thanks a bunch

Dave

Are you assembling before fitting Body. If so remember the bolts that attach Wishbone to Chassis need to be in the good direction.
Alan

The good direction?

L

I believe the good direction , for the inner attachment to chassis, relates to the elan and whether you can get the bolts out. The other problem, if OE chassis type relates to the diff brace rods.
I had a bit of a gap at the outer end which
I shimmed.. Hopefully the right approach. One little thing to be aware of is that the two outer bolts on each side are differing lengths, so need to match them to the hub carrier. Luckily I spotted this before reducing the length of the bolts on one side, which were touching.
HTH
Adrian

Is that an original ‘A’ frame looks a large gap.

Craven wrote:Is that an original ‘A’ frame looks a large gap.

It's 145mm from internal boss to boss. Which I think is standard?

Is this the 'good direction'?

Not to mislead, but a 2 seat Elan ‘A’ frame is 141mm but this does fit same issue 18 upright.
Standard bush size outer 25mm. inner sleeve 30mm
On inner fixing, bolt heads to face each other yours are wrong direction. For 2 seat Elan!

Thanks. I agree re the inner a frame bolts. I found a picture in the manual and shall swap them around.

I can't rectify the 145mm to 141mm discrepancy. Therefore I will just shim it. Seems to sit nicely now.

Looks good, check clearance on wheel rim.
May need a half nut if bolts not long enough.

dlb123 wrote:Thanks. I agree re the inner a frame bolts. I found a picture in the manual and shall swap them around.

I can't rectify the 145mm to 141mm discrepancy. Therefore I will just shim it. Seems to sit nicely now.

Good man, you never know when the Body is in place you may have to remove them someday
Alan

You’ve not seen my lockdown quiz thread!
Your inner wishbone bolts are currently in the wrong way round. The heads of the bolts should face each other. This means the bolts can be taken out with the body on. The parts manual shows the correct orientation. And as others have said shimming the outer fittings is fine

Ha Alan you beat me to it

Craven wrote:Looks good, check clearance on wheel rim.
May need a half nut if bolts not long enough.

This, the clearance between wheel and bolt is very tight, especially with Alloys. You want to make sure you haven't spaced the bolt into the wheel. I think 2mm each side would be enough on my car for the bolt to hit the wheel.

Thanks to all those who have helped thus far.

I've checked the clearance today. All seems to be well.




And on that note, any idea how to refurbish the steel wheel with chrome outer? Both the chrome and paint are shot. Wondering what the best route is, or how others have gone about it.

My dad ran this elan as his only vehicle for some years, and every component tells of torturous runs through the winter salt. I remember him snaking up the road in the snow one day.

In particular I've just removed all the detritus from wheel end of the CV joint. The anodising is shot so I'm back to bare metal. Rather than paint it I was thinking clear lacquer? Any product out there that comes recommended? Or is this a fools errand. I would take them to be plated but as you can imagine everything is covid closed.





And finally, re the routing of the rear brake line. I seem to remember there was a bracket held on to the suspension upright by a jubilee clip when I stripped them many years ago. Is there a neater way?

Your help and suggestions , as always, welcomed and appreciated.