2018: A Peterborough Odyssey

[Peter +2]

Glad it?s sorted, now time to enjoy for a bit.

[JonB]

Glad it?s sorted, now time to enjoy for a bit.

If the rain ever stops!

[Bud English]

Just remember, Jon, that perfect is the enemy of good. That's been the demise of many a classic car.

or boat.
or house.
or marriage????

[JonB]

Good point Bud, and that's why I don't get uptight about the paintwork.

However... I defy anyone to drive my car enthusiastically and call the handling "good". I'm definitely doing the front dampers and springs.

[elansprint71]

A remarkable number of posts in such a comparatively short time. Is Elan.Net not available on facebook?

I'm considering photographing my breakfast, posting several shots and then, some time later photographing it again and asking folks opinions.

In the meantime, I'll just get on with fixing up my old Lotus cars from first principles- if I get really, really, stuck (and my mates can't help) I might just think about asking a question here.

[SENC]

A remarkable number of posts in such a comparatively short time. Is Elan.Net not available on facebook?

I'm considering photographing my breakfast, posting several shots and then, some time later photographing it again and asking folks opinions.

In the meantime, I'll just get on with fixing up my old Lotus cars from first principles- if I get really, really, stuck (and my mates can't help) I might just think about asking a question here.

Given the quality of your photography, Pete, as evidenced on your website, I have no doubt we would find your breakfast shots nearly as entertaining and interesting as Jon's +2 shots. You truly do beatiful work that is worth sharing and that I'd like to see more of, though perhaps in a different thread so as not to distract me from enjoying Jon's as well. Plenty of room here for all contributors, new and old alike and regardless of which side of the road we drive on, I hope.
Henry

[elansprint71]

SENC- indeed; plenty of room for all. This is probably the most entertaining thread for a while.

I'm off to photograph the daffodils, before the snow starts again.......

[alan.barker]

Don't forget photos of some chocolate Eggs if you find them in your Garden or is it only in France where we hide them in the Garden.
ps. I'm sooooo glad this is NOT on Facebook which i hate.
Keep up the good work Jon,
i'm tuned in and waiting for the next episode
Alan

[JonB]

A remarkable number of posts in such a comparatively short time. Is Elan.Net not available on facebook?

...says the man with 3,900 posts...

You'll have to bear with me, I'm afraid. I'm properly enthusiastic about my car and I want to find out as much as I can. Moreover, I have more time sat in front of a computer than in the garage, so I tend to post more than fix, if you get my drift. I'm not retired yet. If you think I'm posting too much, or you don't like what I post, you can always read someone else's posts.

There is a Facebook group of Elan owners, but it's difficult to search for and follow threads.

[vincereynard]

I'm definitely doing the front dampers and springs.

Is it low at the front. The lower wishbones parallel (ish)? Any evidence of needing new springs?
Crude bounce test? Any leaks? Any evidence of needing new dampers?

You're chasing your tail again Jon. Sort the front / rear tracking first.

[JonB]

Actually it is very slightly high at the front. The bottom arms are ever so slightly angled down. Despite this, the crossmember is closer to the ground than it says it should be in the service manual. Not sure if this is because it's a Spyder chassis or some other problem.

New springs? Old ones are pretty rusty, but they work. I think I need a second opinion. When I tried jumping up and down on the front, it seemed that there was some damping, but is it enough? These dampers are at least 30 years old (I think I have the receipt in the file) and have done 50,000 miles. They cannot be performing to spec any more. I see no leakage though, unless all the fluid is long gone. Lots of rust, covered with spray on Hammerite (temporary measure).

Front tracking is done (toe in). Rear is not adjustable, yet. I've bought the turn buckles but I thought I'd wait before taking the rear apart yet again. Getting fed up of lying under it in the cold!

[Orsom Weels]

Jon, at least some of the reason your crossmember is too close to the ground is the low profile tyres you have. That would be one of the next areas I spent money, the correct spec tyres will not only make the car look & sit better, they will improve the handling.
As for shock's, I had Spax adjustable's on the front of my +2 for years, (adjustable damping with fixed spring platforms) & once I found a decent compromise on the adjustment found them OK. Until, that is, I was lucky enough to find a pair of brand new old stock original Armstrong units a few years back. They transformed the front end completely, much nicer ride, & much better steering. I think Lotus new what they were doing in the suspension department, so if you do need to replace, I'd keep as close to original spec as poss.

Regards, Tim

[vincereynard]

Actually it is very slightly high at the front. The bottom arms are ever so slightly angled down. Despite this, the crossmember is closer to the ground than it says it should be in the service manual. Not sure if this is because it's a Spyder chassis or some other problem.

So with a driver on board the ride height are probably OK. Honk them off, strip the spring damper and measure the length.

As Tim stated, having low profiles will reduce chassis clearance.Check the diameter of the tyres on one of the comparison sites. ( https://tiresize.com/comparison )
Half the difference about equal to the chassis height discrepancy?

[JonB]

Jon, at least some of the reason your crossmember is too close to the ground is the low profile tyres you have. That would be one of the next areas I spent money, the correct spec tyres will not only make the car look & sit better, they will improve the handling.
As for shock's, I had Spax adjustable's on the front of my +2 for years, (adjustable damping with fixed spring platforms) & once I found a decent compromise on the adjustment found them OK. Until, that is, I was lucky enough to find a pair of brand new old stock original Armstrong units a few years back. They transformed the front end completely, much nicer ride, & much better steering. I think Lotus new what they were doing in the suspension department, so if you do need to replace, I'd keep as close to original spec as poss.

Regards, Tim

Hi Tim

You'll understand my reluctance to swap the tires out when I tell you they have almost no wear. PO fitted them and they haven't even done 1000 miles yet. They are Kumho 165 13 but too low profile as you know.

I do not know how to determine if any particular damper is "original spec". I'd love to use NOS dampers but I think they are like hen's teeth.. I'm leaning towards the TTR fast road ones as they are adjustable (spring preload and damping) and not too expensive.

@Vince, yes, probably. IIRC crossmember clearance is 5 1/2 inches.

Let's return to the "oversteer on corners" thread. The Peterborough thing is over... and I want to forget it!

Cheers
JonB

[elanfan1]

You should be able to get a few quid back on the tyres at 1000 miles they should have at least 6mm on them, put that towards a larger profile set (Spyderfan has posted about the best looking size for wheel arch fit). You ought to get at least 50% of their retail price back via Gumtree or eBay.