Suspension : Steering :Blog

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 5:13 pm

Alas No it's an assembled part if it could be split I would have just made one. thing is if memory serves me right my clio rack ends where VERY similar only shorter so I think a trip to the factors with a ruler may be involved
Someones got a remanufatured unit Anyone know this crowd or if they can get parts for my rack ?

update The rack is made by Sona
it has SONA 5203062 (possibly a serial number)
and it looks like this

The bit I need looks like this

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:00 pm

Does anyone know a name or number of someone at Lotus I can contact regarding my track rod ?

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:12 pm

This thread is turning into my blog!
The hunt for the track rod/rack end
Phoned MMC - No help at all still wanting to sell the full rack!
Visited the local motor factor - spent some time looking through various catalogues and we came up a blank

Phoned First line - IT department was more helpfull than the technical department !
Phoned Lotus - they finish early on a friday but I have the number of someone I can talk too (Fingers crossed)

mac · Post by **mac** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:15 pm

Long shot - but phone Dreadnought and ask for Brian Luti.

I'm sure I can recall a conversation with him at Knockhill about this kind of stuff.

Mac

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:30 pm

Gave Brian a phone and a nicer man you couldn't meet was really helpfull he suggested trying to bend it straight that will be my job tommorow.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:39 pm

Hammer and sandbag, jobs a carrot.

Or you'll snap it

Good luck!

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 12:36 pm

RICHARDHUMBLE wrote:Hammer and sandbag, jobs a carrot.

Or you'll snap it

Good luck!

was a bit more technical but now it's reasonably straight I clamped the thread in a BT40 collete so I could get a hold of it held the rest in a vice and gently bent it into shape.

Next stage is get it NDT'd to make sure it's not cracked.

Still going to try and get a hold of a new part though. I have the name of a girl who's going out with a guy who's old man works at Lotus in hethel and just might be able to help.

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 11:23 am

Today we start another part of the suspenion rebuild I'm currently making a new set of wishbone bushes at the minuite I am manufacturing the "prototype" out of some white nondescript nylon that was lying around. my question is...

short or long ? the nylatron bushes for sale everywhere are short maybe 17mm long (guess) wheras the original bushes are about 36 (steel sleeve not included) is their any advange to having 2 short bushes inserted from each end to 1 long bush ?

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 11:26 am

The short top hat bushes fit from both ends, the long ones are pressed in (IIRC) the idea is that the top hat ones are easier to fit and remove. Go with the short ones but you need to ream them out after fitting or they can jam and rotate in the wishbones.

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 3:33 pm

Prototype long bush

the 1 on the right is longer but that is due to a communication mixup it's more to do with theory ATM.

the steel insert is Dia 16mm and is an interferance fit. the nylon hole is 15.9mm.

the nylon is also a 0.1mm interferance fit into the wishbone.

any idea's suggestions ?

I decided to go with the long bush as I have already made a tool for removing press fit bushes

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 4:19 pm

Looks good! I'll have a full set

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 4:51 pm

this could be a small cottage industry

One thing i want to clear up though. The final parts will be made from nylonic which is a self lubricating nylon used for bushes and as the prototype sit's everything is an interferance fitwith exeption of the hole for the Bolt holding it on ( I have double drilled this so it's coming in about 10.05 / 10.10mm (less than the standard bush) should any of these parts be alowed to rotate ? i.e the sleeve turn in the nylonic bush or does the sleeve, bush, wishbone rotate around the screw only ?

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 4:54 pm

The bolt should rotate in the sleeve, the sleeve should be tight in the bush. Nylatrons needed regular greasing (Annual, maybe that was why they were in 2 parts to act as a resevoir?

fd · Post by fd » Mon Aug 13, 2007 5:44 pm

Hmmm, I suspect the bolt should NOT rotate within the sleeve (the steel sleeve running through the center of the bush) - because that will eventually machine through the bolt and you're wishbone will fall off . . . which is sub-optimal. I expect the bush should rotate round the sleeve and the sleeve and bolt should be absolutely rigid . . . this is the way the rubber bushes work . . . I can't see any other option being safe.

If that's not what you meant - apologies . . .

Fd

woody · Post by **woody** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 5:49 pm

I'm with FD here. Just had alook at the exploded diagrams again (i've yet to take the wishbones off of an elise) and it looks as though the bushed would then be pinched by the washers/shims located either end - effectively stopping the bush from rotating around the bolt.