Suspension issue

tenkfeet · Post by **tenkfeet** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:54 pm

My car could do with a geo check but I have been putting it off till next year when I hope to add some goodies and have some cash. Anyway was out for a blat the other day and established in a very fast sweeper on dry roads which I have done before and the complete car drifted into the opposite lane abruptly like I hard made a sharp steering input. Change pants and put it down to the cold weather poor grip .

Out today again established in a fast bend left hand and the car kicked again and did not want to follow the line briefly.

I think their is something worn in the suspension just wondering what would be the favourite item to look at ?

I can find wear but am not that confident when it comes to tinkering with suspension and what symptoms are from a certain part. Steering is fine . Car has done 16k miles about 5 track nights a full track day with very little motorway driving.

What parts has everybody had changed at similar miles?

robin · Post by **robin** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 4:41 pm

Balljoints -
both the top and bottom ones at the wishbone
the ones at either end of the steering arms (the inboard end is inside the rack)
the ones at either end of the rear toe links.

Wheel bearings are also a possibility - is the brake pedal going long if you don't use it for a while on a run?

Loose wheel nuts (check this before you drive again).

Wishbone bushes can also cause a sort of floaty feeling at the front - easy enough to test with a pry bar.

As you're on an S2 you also have the distinct possibility of failed/failing rear upright suspension bolts. As these tend to fail catastrophically I would be checking them very soon.

Cheers,
Robin

H8OAG · Post by **H8OAG** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 8:32 am

Balljoints -
both the top and bottom ones at the wishbone
the ones at either end of the steering arms (the inboard end is inside the rack)
the ones at either end of the rear toe links.

Wheel bearings are also a possibility - is the brake pedal going long if you don't use it for a while on a run?

Loose wheel nuts (check this before you drive again).

Wishbone bushes can also cause a sort of floaty feeling at the front - easy enough to test with a pry bar.

As you're on an S2 you also have the distinct possibility of failed/failing rear upright suspension bolts. As these tend to fail catastrophically I would be checking them very soon.

This is a standard checklist for every Elise owner before they turn a wheel!!

When was the last time you checked your nuts?

My N/S/F wheelnuts had slackened off after getting the wheel bearings fitted........was told they would need torqued after a few days

Character building stuff!!

tenkfeet · Post by **tenkfeet** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 4:02 pm

Cheers guys.

Just had a good look at the car . Everything is ok other then a tiny amount of play in the RH rear wheel when holding at 9 and 3 oclock . After I did the other side and did it again it was ok . I assume the wish bone bushes are getting tired .The stresses going through it at three figure tuts will be more than I can impart by hand . I wont be driving it other than to go for an MOT on Thursday adn I will see what they pick up .

If it passes it going off the road for the winter as I have no cash to do all I want to do and there is no point do half a job.

Expect lots of question on Nitrons , wheels and nylatron later in the year.

Victor Meldrew · Post by **Victor Meldrew** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 4:03 pm

tenkfeet wrote:Cheers guys.

Just had a good look at the car . Everything is ok other then a tiny amount of play in the RH rear wheel when holding at 9 and 3 oclock . After I did the other side and did it again it was ok . I assume the wish bone bushes are getting tired .The stresses going through it at three figure tuts will be more than I can impart by hand . I wont be driving it other than to go for an MOT on Thursday adn I will see what they pick up .

If it passes it going off the road for the winter as I have no cash to do all I want to do and there is no point do half a job.

Expect lots of question on Nitrons , wheels and nylatron later in the year.

That sounds more like the tie links about to go....

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:50 pm

tenkfeet wrote: Expect lots of question on Nitrons , wheels and nylatron later in the year.

nylatrons, dont do it if its a road car or lives outside. they sieze up. i am having all mine changed back to ltus bushes.

Nitrons depend on wether you will track the car enough. If it was mainly a road car i would stick with S2 suspension.

mac · Post by **mac** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:16 pm

Nitrons on an S2 can be quite harsh.

I'm considering getting softer springs for Mandy's car.

Mac

tenkfeet · Post by **tenkfeet** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:55 pm

So replace worn parts then wheels with sticky tyres , a good geo and uni ball kit could be the way forward.

Or an Exige S if I had the cash

mac · Post by **mac** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:58 pm

Uniball kits aren't required for S2's

Mac (money saving expert

)

tenkfeet · Post by **tenkfeet** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 7:01 pm

I thought the toe links could fail if you put sticky tyres on .

mac · Post by **mac** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 7:04 pm

On S1's yes.

On S2's you don't - just have them checked for wear at service

Mac

woody · Post by **woody** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:23 pm

mac wrote:On S1's yes.

On S2's you don't - just have them checked for wear at service

Mac

Or fit Lotus new parts jnow - they only supply the S2 kit for toe links now.

Post by **pete** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:46 am

Oh ffs if yours neds all that then so does mine

Especially as mine has done a lot more miles than yours and is driven much faster

What state is yoru windscreen in? I just washed mine (just the screen not the whole car) and it is covered in little chips, only one you would notice from a distance but lots of wee ones. No wonder the wiper does such a sh*t job.

tenkfeet · Post by **tenkfeet** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:40 pm

I was having a discussion today and just had a thought , could it have gone to the side as I had the roof off and it disturbed the air over the spoiler at a certain speed .

Though thinking about it , it would have happened before I would presume.

I have several chips on my window but they are big and clearly visible. Which reminds me I need to put some dirt on my wondow for the MOT.

The wipers are rubbish how old is it ?