Let the pictures do the talking.
Almost there!!
Plus...How to load your car up with 300lb to set suspension
Plus...How to load your car up with 300lb to set suspension

- KevJ+2
- Fourth Gear
- Posts: 819
- Joined: 23 Aug 2013
Kev that looking great, not far off now, you must be feeling cuffed after all your hard work and endless patience.
Hope that weight at the rear of the Tunnel cover does not crack it.
Mine is also a 1968 and I was well pleased with the condition of my tunnel cover after some 30 years of storage.
But after fitting new felt and carpets and putting it back in position, I put my hand on the rear to assist me to move from the right to the left of the car and the B***dy thing cracked. Just one of the 3 setbacks I am working on.
Hope that weight at the rear of the Tunnel cover does not crack it.
Mine is also a 1968 and I was well pleased with the condition of my tunnel cover after some 30 years of storage.
But after fitting new felt and carpets and putting it back in position, I put my hand on the rear to assist me to move from the right to the left of the car and the B***dy thing cracked. Just one of the 3 setbacks I am working on.
Trevor
1968 Elan +2 50/0173
1968 Elan +2 50/0173
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TeeJay - Fourth Gear
- Posts: 546
- Joined: 30 May 2007
- Location: Ranton, Nr Stafford. UK
Thanks Trevor,
Yes it's been a while but I have really enjoyed it and I've learned a lot.
I only put two halfs of a block on the tunnel but couldn't understand what is meant by loading the centre line. Still, no cracks so got lucky. Now I have to decide whether to fit new 151's or try and sort out my hard-to-tune 31's.
I'll see what Ive got left in the bank
Kev.
Yes it's been a while but I have really enjoyed it and I've learned a lot.
I only put two halfs of a block on the tunnel but couldn't understand what is meant by loading the centre line. Still, no cracks so got lucky. Now I have to decide whether to fit new 151's or try and sort out my hard-to-tune 31's.
I'll see what Ive got left in the bank

Kev.
- KevJ+2
- Fourth Gear
- Posts: 819
- Joined: 23 Aug 2013
Hi Kevin.
My understanding of ?Loading the vehicle on the front to rear centre line? is:-
168 lbs on each Front seat, 80lbs on each Back seat, and 72lbs around the centre line of the boot and 5 gallons (50lbs) of fuel.
The loading represents a 12stone person in each front seat and a 5.7 stone child in each rear seat.
So Total weight is 618 lbs??
But, not sure, anyone confirm.
My understanding of ?Loading the vehicle on the front to rear centre line? is:-
168 lbs on each Front seat, 80lbs on each Back seat, and 72lbs around the centre line of the boot and 5 gallons (50lbs) of fuel.
The loading represents a 12stone person in each front seat and a 5.7 stone child in each rear seat.
So Total weight is 618 lbs??
But, not sure, anyone confirm.
Trevor
1968 Elan +2 50/0173
1968 Elan +2 50/0173
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TeeJay - Fourth Gear
- Posts: 546
- Joined: 30 May 2007
- Location: Ranton, Nr Stafford. UK
I load suspension by jacking one wheel / suspension unit at a time until I get it to the normally loaded position. Loading up the whole car is to much trouble
cheers
Rohan

cheers
Rohan
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rgh0 - Coveted Fifth Gear
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- Joined: 22 Sep 2003
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Thanks Rohan, I will follow your suggestions.
But out of curiosity, I have posted a question re setting up, in a new thread, rather than deviate this thread.

But out of curiosity, I have posted a question re setting up, in a new thread, rather than deviate this thread.
Trevor
1968 Elan +2 50/0173
1968 Elan +2 50/0173
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TeeJay - Fourth Gear
- Posts: 546
- Joined: 30 May 2007
- Location: Ranton, Nr Stafford. UK
Yes I have also wondered about the Lotus directions and the load seemed like the maximum rather than the normal load.
The aim is to set up the rubber bushes in the suspension so that the deflections up and down are the same in normal use with the resultant minimum stress on the bushes. if you have Polymer bushes all this is not needed
By jacking the car one wheel at a time to its normal use ride height and then tighten the bolts you achieve this which is what I do.
cheers
Rohan
The aim is to set up the rubber bushes in the suspension so that the deflections up and down are the same in normal use with the resultant minimum stress on the bushes. if you have Polymer bushes all this is not needed

By jacking the car one wheel at a time to its normal use ride height and then tighten the bolts you achieve this which is what I do.
cheers
Rohan
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rgh0 - Coveted Fifth Gear
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- Joined: 22 Sep 2003
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Thanks Rohan.
I purchased a set of Rubber and Polymer bushes, but fitted the rubber set, but can now see that fitting the Polymer set would have been better.
But I now understand whats required to suit my individual requirement driving requirement.
Cheers
I purchased a set of Rubber and Polymer bushes, but fitted the rubber set, but can now see that fitting the Polymer set would have been better.

But I now understand whats required to suit my individual requirement driving requirement.
Cheers
Trevor
1968 Elan +2 50/0173
1968 Elan +2 50/0173
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TeeJay - Fourth Gear
- Posts: 546
- Joined: 30 May 2007
- Location: Ranton, Nr Stafford. UK
Function : - Wash/wipe. OFF. Intermittent. Slow. Fast.
Controlled by a LOW current rotory dash switch.
Controlled by a LOW current rotory dash switch.
- Craven
- Coveted Fifth Gear
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- Location: south coast uk
A few +2's that won't be making it to Castle Combe this year
Kindest regards
Alan Thomas
Alan Thomas
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Spyder fan - Coveted Fifth Gear
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holywood3645 - Coveted Fifth Gear
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holywood3645 wrote:Pretty maids all in a row!
Pretty maid Little Miss Escort needs some attention!
Best wishes for a fine summer for you and yours, James!
There is no cure for Lotus, only treatment.
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StressCraxx - Coveted Fifth Gear
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- Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California
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trw99 - Coveted Fifth Gear
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- Location: Essex/Herts border, UK
Last weekend on the HRCR Derbyshire Tour;
Jim
P.S.There were 2 Lotus Elans in the top 6 on yesterday`s Three Castles Trophy event.
Jim
P.S.There were 2 Lotus Elans in the top 6 on yesterday`s Three Castles Trophy event.
- jimj
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