Rear shocks

[triumphelan]

My S4 is down on the R/H side by about 2ins,I cannot see any reason for this ,the springs look ok and the shocks seem ok ,they could be original??
I have read the manual ,it states"that the damper and housing are replaced as an assembley".Do they mean the complete bearing housing , spring and damper unit?Can I fit a new damper unit to the bearing housing?Can I fit stronger springs? ,to try and stop my exhaust hitting the ground.
Regards John S41969 DHC

[steveww]

You can drop out the rear strut then take them apart. The springs come
off and the damper insert unscrews from the strut. Just sounds like the
springs are showing their age and starting to sag.

John Harrison wrote:

--

Regards,

Steve Waterworth
***@***.***

Einstein: "The faster you drive, the slower you age..."

[Lincoln62]

Sagging is usually springs or bushes. The damper won't affect ride height
unless it is completely seized.

You don't have to replace the whole hub. The tube on the rear hub was
originally the outer part of the damper but replacement units are self
contained inserts. If you put new inserts in don't forget to put a bit of
light oil on it when fitting so it won't rust into the tube. Next time I do
it I am going to use lanolin spray on the insert, it's great stuff.

As for springs, if the springs are sagging you need longer ones not harder.
I have driven Elans with hard springs and they handle really well but lose
some of that light feel that makes Lotus unique. It's a matter of
preference.

Peter
66S2

----- Original Message -----


damper unit?Can I fit a new damper unit to the bearing housing?Can I fit
stronger springs? ,to try and stop my exhaust hitting the ground.

[triumphelan]

Thanks for the reply Steve, how easy?? is it to remove the damper insert from the strut.
Regards John S41969 DHC
----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Waterworth
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2005 8:00 PM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Rear shocks


You can drop out the rear strut then take them apart. The springs come
off and the damper insert unscrews from the strut. Just sounds like the
springs are showing their age and starting to sag.

John Harrison wrote:

--

Regards,

Steve Waterworth
***@***.***

Einstein: "The faster you drive, the slower you age..."













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***@***.***

[rgh0]

John
Before you pull everything apart you need to determine if the low
ground clearance is due to spring sag or failed rubber at the top of
the front and rear suspension. The manual shows normal ride height
spring length. You should be able to measure your current spring
lengths, if less than the manual number then the springs have sagged.
If OK within reasobnable tolerance then the low clearance is due to the
lotocone at rear and / or the rubbers at the top of fromt shock failing
probably. I say probably because it could also be caused by chassis
distorion of the front or rear suspension tower.

Rohan

[steveww]

How long is a bit of string?

The damper insert is held in with a collar that screws in to the top if
the strut. If this has not rusted in place pulling out an old insert is
real easy. See also the note about a drop of oil in with the insert.

John Harrison wrote:

--

Regards,

Steve Waterworth
***@***.***

Einstein: "The faster you drive, the slower you age..."

[triumphelan]

Can the ride height be adjusted or is it just stifness of the susspension that changes with adjustable shocks?
Regards John S41969 DHC

[john.p.clegg]

Go on i'll have a go at this.
Adjustable shocks only affect the dampening of the roadsprings,adjustable platforms are available and these raise/lower the ride height/weight distribution.

John


John Harrison <***@***.***> wrote:
Can the ride height be adjusted or is it just stifness of the susspension that changes with adjustable shocks?
Regards John S41969 DHC