Front suspension : the new bushes started to slide

Post by: **GregSCF** » Fri May 14, 2021 11:53 am

hello,
I just rebuilt the front suspension of my 1970 Elan + 2S with new Spax adjustable shock absorbers, new bushes, new top ball joint, etc.
But have a problem with the Wishbone Bushes : after less than 10 miles of driving the bushes started to slide from their housing - see photos attached.

what can be the origin of the problem and did we miss something during their assembly?

Many thanks for your help
Best regards
Greg

Post by: **GregSCF** » Fri May 14, 2021 11:57 am

: IMG_3733.jpeg (84.25 KiB) Viewed 1304 times

5mm slide... :shock:

Post by: **GregSCF** » Fri May 14, 2021 11:59 am

on both side... :cry:

Post by: **GregSCF** » Fri May 14, 2021 12:40 pm

OMG

we forgot the washers under the nylon nuts!!!

they are not referenced in the parts list...
Does anyone know what kind of washers I have to use ?

Post by: **GregSCF** » Fri May 14, 2021 12:45 pm

Post by: **billwill** » Fri May 14, 2021 1:53 pm

I haven't checked but I would think that the washers outer diameter needs to be bigger than that of the outer of the bushes to stop the arm from sliding off, as the nut will pass right through the 'hole' that the bush fits in.

What did you do with the washers when you dismantled it?

Post by: **pharriso** » Fri May 14, 2021 2:15 pm

Greg, get used to using the search capability on this site, lots of good info...

: 2021-05-14 10_12_15-LotusElan.net_ Search.jpg (8.85 KiB) Viewed 1239 times

As you can see in this example you can do very specific searches & usually end up with good results...

p.s. Your washers are 1/2" ID & large OD!

Post by: **elanner** » Fri May 14, 2021 2:28 pm

As Phil said, lots of discussion on this elsewhere.

E.G.: viewtopic.php?f=42&t=21457&start=15

Nick

Post by: **GregSCF** » Fri May 14, 2021 2:43 pm

thank you very much for the info,

billwill wrote: What did you do with the washers when you dismantled it?

surprisingly, there was no washer in place before.
but maybe the wishbones were stretched when we removed the old bushes? and are now too loose to keep the new bushes in place?

Post by: **alan.barker** » Sat May 15, 2021 7:31 am

Maybe you could use Loctite on outer Dia of bush to stop moving in Wishbone.
Alan

Post by: **vstibbard** » Sat May 15, 2021 10:57 pm

Definitely need the large washers, but that would only limit this to contact with washers, did you press bushes with no lubricant as they are an inference fit. I've never had them move and have not resorted to using locktite etc.

Alternatively have you spaced the outer ends of the wishbones of fitted incorrect width top ball joints?

Regards

Vaughan

Post by: **alan.barker** » Sun May 16, 2021 5:27 am

have you put the Wishbones the wrong way round :shock:

That's to say back one to front and front one to back

Alan

Post by: **oldelanman** » Sun May 16, 2021 6:39 am

alan.barker wrote:have you put the Wishbones the wrong way round That's to say back one to front and front one to back
Alan

There's no difference front to rear ... or side to side.

Post by: **alan.barker** » Sun May 16, 2021 7:38 am

oldelanman wrote:
alan.barker wrote:have you put the Wishbones the wrong way round That's to say back one to front and front one to back
Alan

There's no difference front to rear ... or side to side.

OK. What do you suggest the problem is then
Alan

Post by: **661** » Sun May 16, 2021 8:11 am

Just check that when the wishbones are back on, with the washers in place , that the gap they leave at their outboard side is the same as the width of the ball joint........sounds obvious I know.

Front suspension : the new bushes started to slide

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