Elan Galvanised Chassis ?

[au-yt]

Hi Guys its been a while, I have done a search on the form but I would though I would ask some of the more learned people on the forum.
I have a galvanised chassis for an elan I am selling, and I have since been told the chassis were distorted when galvanised and are essentially useless.
Is this correct I suspect I am being told this to get it cheaper?

[Lyn7]

Hi, I have heard some stories about distorted chassis on this forum. But, it seems a bigger problem on the +2 chassis as it is larger/longer. From personal experience I bought one a long time ago, probably one of the earliest now, and it fitted better than the original. It is still perfect. Sometimes I think problems are exaggerated by the internet as the story gets told and retold and may not be that big a problem in the way of things. If it is an issue to sell then do some string line measurements to prove it is straight. Good luck.

[rgh0]

The chassis critical dimensions are given in the manual. it is easy enough to check if yours has had any distortion from the galvanizing process.

My understanding is that the issue tended to be more in the reverse and that to avoid distortion the chassis were galvanized at to low a temperature with poor bonding of the galvanizing being the result.

I presume by now that the process has been sorted so not to hot and not to cold so just right to get good bonding without distortion.

cheers
Rohan

[au-yt]

The Chassis is about 15 years old and I measured against the diagram in the WSM and the front pick up points are not correct 8mm in at the bottom 6 at the top. Interesting the dimensions longitudinally is correct.
But without knowing how accurate the standard chassis are it's an unknown quantity.

[rgh0]

8 mm Incorrect width of the bottom front suspension mounts inwards would not be galvanising distortion and is most likely fabrication tolerances. I have not measured enough original or replacement chassis to determine typical tolerances but the original Lotus chassis I installed in my Elan back in the 80's was accurate to within 3 mm when I measured it up if I recall correctly

At least the top mounts are in by a similar amount so the suspension geometry will not be to far out. Dialing out the bump steer would probably be the biggest issue as the rack would need to be higher than normal.

cheers
Rohan

[Gray]

Hi

I have known of +2 chassis to be significantly distorted by galvanizing, affecting handling, according to owners, although not measured them myself.

I have measured non galvanized chassis, particularly front suspension mounting points and rack mountings, most straight chassis were quite accurate, probably within 1mm.

A twisted turret by say 5mm could be straightened to original dimensions and car handled properly (allegedly!).

Gray

[au-yt]

Thanks everyone for your comments 2mm variation top to bottum would have animpact on the camber but as has been commented the rack would be an issue. Interesting it has the rack adjustment shim height written on the chassis in pencil.
Actually sorting it out this program I discovered yesterday would help as it calculates the rack length and track rod ends after setting up the geometry.
This is a generic program and all the chassis dimensions need to input. I did it for my project and it works a treat
http://www.vsusp.com