Help to a + 2 owner down under (South Australia)
Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 12:05 pm
I envy all you 'Loti" owners on the other side of the world, there certainly seems to quality companies specialising in Lotus as well as an abundant supply of parts in Ebay, (Ebay UK is on my favourites list!!).
I would like some direction with the following problems I have and hopefully the advice can steer me in the right direction with my 67 elan + 2 with out me wasting money chasing the wrong solution!!!
The two main issues I have is with the alignment of the wheels (front and rear).
The rear left wheel has a toe in of 26.7mmm and the right 13.6mm, I recently did all the bushes in the two a frames with "super pro" urathane bushes, replaced the lotacones (new Paul Matty) and replaced all bolts. I measured the rear A frames and they appeared OK, they have the general "knocks" one would expect for 40 years of use, but with toe in this bad they must be shagged. My option here is to buy new adjustable A frames from the Elan Factory, with a cost around $700.00 AUD for the pair (ouch!!) this I gues will fix the problem and give me an adjustable toe in on the rear.
The second is the castor on the front wheels, the front left is 4?18' and the right is 1?50'. Going to chassis shops here in Adelaide and spending $500.00 to find out what I already know I am at the point to take the body of the chassis so I can get a better picture of what is a fault.
The front shock on the RH side is leaking so these will need replacing.
My questions.
1.Taking the body off, no major dramas? (have looked at previous posts), this looks the best way to look at what has been done previously and to get a good idea what needs to be done to fix up the castor issue.
2. what would be the best shocks for light track use, mainly road use, are adustable springs worth the extra$?? (will do both front and rear shocks)
3. Adjustable A frames, is this the way to go on the rear?
4. I have a front trunion kit, with the body of what other jobs would i need to plan for (ball joints and all front bushes I presume)
I will glady assist with quality red wines from the Barossa Valley for some help on my endeavour!!!
Thanks in advance,
Darren
PS buying an early Lotus in Australia as a part of your "mid life crisis" can be an expensive past time!!!
I would like some direction with the following problems I have and hopefully the advice can steer me in the right direction with my 67 elan + 2 with out me wasting money chasing the wrong solution!!!
The two main issues I have is with the alignment of the wheels (front and rear).
The rear left wheel has a toe in of 26.7mmm and the right 13.6mm, I recently did all the bushes in the two a frames with "super pro" urathane bushes, replaced the lotacones (new Paul Matty) and replaced all bolts. I measured the rear A frames and they appeared OK, they have the general "knocks" one would expect for 40 years of use, but with toe in this bad they must be shagged. My option here is to buy new adjustable A frames from the Elan Factory, with a cost around $700.00 AUD for the pair (ouch!!) this I gues will fix the problem and give me an adjustable toe in on the rear.
The second is the castor on the front wheels, the front left is 4?18' and the right is 1?50'. Going to chassis shops here in Adelaide and spending $500.00 to find out what I already know I am at the point to take the body of the chassis so I can get a better picture of what is a fault.
The front shock on the RH side is leaking so these will need replacing.
My questions.
1.Taking the body off, no major dramas? (have looked at previous posts), this looks the best way to look at what has been done previously and to get a good idea what needs to be done to fix up the castor issue.
2. what would be the best shocks for light track use, mainly road use, are adustable springs worth the extra$?? (will do both front and rear shocks)
3. Adjustable A frames, is this the way to go on the rear?
4. I have a front trunion kit, with the body of what other jobs would i need to plan for (ball joints and all front bushes I presume)
I will glady assist with quality red wines from the Barossa Valley for some help on my endeavour!!!
Thanks in advance,
Darren
PS buying an early Lotus in Australia as a part of your "mid life crisis" can be an expensive past time!!!