Front springs and chassis level

[Concrete-crusher]

Hi a few years back I refreshed my suspension front and back with new springs from S Miller. Also all new bushes and rubbers. Original spec.

The back made a big difference and lifted the body which previously looked too low. I must admit at the time the front looked OK maybe a little high so I just left it to settle.

Now it has settled but more so on the drivers side. If I measure the chassis vacuum chamber to ground its 1cm lower on the drivers side compared to the passenger side.

The ride feels OK and you be hard pressed to notice but I have and am puzzelled. Also I can see the drivers side spring looks more compressed. I'm wondering if simply shimming the top of the suspension unit to correct it would work or adding a dense rubber cushion at the bottom of the spring to the same effect. Or does it really require dismantling and replacement springs

Steve

[nmauduit]

Shimming would do for just 1cm the risk is to bottom out on something hard (coil bind) before the rubber stop, 1 cm should be fine but you may try it out to be sure. Or you could swap sides... a bit more work but added lightness

[Billmack]

Take a really good look under there to make sure nothing is falling apart. If All's well probably a rubber spacer of some sort will fix it. Switching side to side probably a good idea if you drive alone a lot

[rgh0]

Plus 2 front springs are very highly stressed compared to the Elan due to the extra weight and extra spring angle. Most of the springs supplied these days will progressively compress over time just as the original Lotus ones did due to the operating stresses exceeding the limits for the spring steel typically used. Sounds like you're drivers side one is just failing a little faster than the other side.

A specialist spring maker can probably make one that will not compress in use but at a cost of 3 or 4 times the standard replacement springs. So probably cheaper to use adjustable seat to compensate for any compression until you need to just replace the springs and start over.


cheers
Rohan

[Concrete-crusher]

Thanks for the advice, I've not done more than 3000 miles and the cars always garaged, I will have s other look at the weekend and maybe post some pictures

Steve