Replacement suspension Elise S2

Mellow Yellow · Post by **Mellow Yellow** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 1:15 pm

It's looking like my Elise's suspension will be needing changed soon due to rust on the spring seats. Am I best to opt for the original Bilstein springs and dampers or can anyone recommend good quality aftermarket options. I'm not fussed about ride height or damping control, just something that is as good as the original and preferably less expensive. Most of the kits I can see online are coilovers. Cheers!

tut · Post by **tut** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 3:55 pm

All Elise shock absorbers are coilovers.

tut

iain3915 · Post by **iain3915** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 6:19 pm

You can replace the spring collars separately with some uprated items from Elise Parts - http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show ... g-collars/

I don't think there are better shock absorbers for road use than the Bilsteins so it might be worth posting a wanted ad for some low mileage shock absorbers on SELOC. These come up now and again when people change for aftermarket shock absorbers.

Mellow Yellow · Post by **Mellow Yellow** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 7:14 pm

Interesting as the garage, I won't say who said I need full new dampers because the seats are rusted and could break. Seems odd when the dampers are not leaking and there are these replacement seats available..

Do you know how they are fitted? Sorry for all the questions, I'm new to Elise ownership, loving it but don't have an endless supply of reddies to keep her running sweet! Cheers

Corranga · Post by **Corranga** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 7:34 pm

If the garage isn't too familiar with the Elise they may not know that replacement collars are available, especially as this is an Elise Parts part, not an original one.

As for fitment, I've only ever fitted complete units, which is as easy as jack the car, take off the wheel, 1 bolt at the top and another at the bottom!
I'd imagine once you have the unit off, you'd need a spring compressor then the seat would just lift out, but that's just a guess.
Then slot in the replacement, release the spring, and reverse for refitting..

Mellow Yellow · Post by **Mellow Yellow** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:31 pm

The garage is a Lotus main dealer so you would think their mechanic would be aware of this as it's the difference of about £600 in repair costs. Appreciate the advice, I'll call them on Monday to see what they say about it. I've also been quoted £185 for a coolant hose by the Lotus dealer which I found on DeRoure for £54, both original parts so can't see why it would be so much more expensive...

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 10:15 am

Give Dave at Bilstien a call; 01455 283407.

They refurbed my dampers and were far cheaper than replacing them.

woody · Post by **woody** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 11:25 am

Mellow Yellow wrote:The garage is a Lotus main dealer so you would think their mechanic would be aware of this as it's the difference of about £600 in repair costs. Appreciate the advice, I'll call them on Monday to see what they say about it. I've also been quoted £185 for a coolant hose by the Lotus dealer which I found on DeRoure for £54, both original parts so can't see why it would be so much more expensive...

To be fair, a main dealers of any brand should only fit parts approved by the brand they represent. As much as these collars support a need, the official fix will be a complete new damper unit.

Replacing them is fairly straight forward as they just sit on a circlip. The biggest complication will be getting spring compressors of a small enough diameter.

Post by **campbell** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 11:29 am

I seem to recall motorbike-oriented compressors are the answer.

Mellow Yellow · Post by **Mellow Yellow** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 12:32 pm

Thanks for the advice chaps, I did find Bilstein replacement collars as well as the updated and anodised Elise parts option. I spoke to the mechanic today and he agreed this was also an option rather than replacing the whole unit. Once I get them off the car I'll look at the refurbish option as well if the rest of the unit is in a bad way.

Mellow Yellow · Post by **Mellow Yellow** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 12:36 pm

woody wrote:
Mellow Yellow wrote:The garage is a Lotus main dealer so you would think their mechanic would be aware of this as it's the difference of about £600 in repair costs. Appreciate the advice, I'll call them on Monday to see what they say about it. I've also been quoted £185 for a coolant hose by the Lotus dealer which I found on DeRoure for £54, both original parts so can't see why it would be so much more expensive...

To be fair, a main dealers of any brand should only fit parts approved by the brand they represent. As much as these collars support a need, the official fix will be a complete new damper unit.

Replacing them is fairly straight forward as they just sit on a circlip. The biggest complication will be getting spring compressors of a small enough diameter.

Deroure supply original Lotus parts according to their website, some items are factory order. I checked the price and that included fitment so not as bad

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Wed Sep 24, 2014 3:52 pm

I have found some lotus OE parts from Deroure to be cheaper than Eliseparts for essentially the same item. Happy to go OE where I can and a big thumbs IP to the guys at Deroure.

Scottish Elises

Replacement suspension Elise S2

Replacement suspension Elise S2

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Re: Replacement suspension Elise S2

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Re: Replacement suspension Elise S2