New owner needs reassurance!

[bobface]

Guys,

There's so much content on these forums it's hard to know where to start looking, so i thought i'd take the cheeky first post short cut route!

I've just bought a lovely Elan S2 which is already brilliant however, having never driven anything like it i'm not sure how it's supposed to feel handling wise. There are a couple of things i'm not sure about, and wanted reassurance. The car hadn't been driven for a couple of years so potentially these were just bedding in issues.

1. Power steering - after i fired her up she made some odd gurgling sounds from somewhere in the steering column. I'm not used to how hard the power steering should feel in these things, but it does take some effort to turn the wheel even a quater turn. This may be fine, but it doesn't hurt to ask! The gurgling has since gone away (i think) but the steering is still heavyish (at least compared to similar aged cars with p/s, but not super sports wagons like this!). Am i a wimp? Should i be able to steer with a figure or two?

2. Brakes - I don't get much stop for my pop. Again this could be crap on the pads, worn pads, or some other issue, but again it doesn't feel like I could stop it hard in a hurry, what should a standard S2 be capable of stopping in from say 30? Head bounce off the wheel or like mooring a boat?

3. AM radio - Stupid one, but i get no AM reception on teh JVC radio kit (not sure if its original, it has a 12 cd changer in the boot). This normally isn't an issue but dammit it's the world cup on 198 long wave! I did see a post about an 'active' aerial. Could somebody point me in the right direction?

4. Parking brake
This seems to stick occasionally. If it pull up and push down to release it travels all the way, the lights go off when it's almost down and come back on again if i drop it to the lowest point. Occasionally it feels like it's still stuck on, like it wont roll forward on a slope. Not sure how the system is linked in these cars so not sure where to look/check

Here's hoping i dont crash it before reading any replies! I dont know much about the guts and nuts of these cars so apologise for my ignorance. I also dont know if any upgrades or mods are on the car, i suspect not.

any thoughts?

shaun

[Paul.P]

Shaun, p/s is fairly heavy & does make hissing noise especially when turning at near standstill, you certainly can't turn with little finger, benefit is the handling !. Standard brakes are a weak point on this car, & upgrades are available, starting with ceramic pads for standard setup, going up to wilwood & ap racing brakes if you want to spend a bit more money, you need to look down the braking section & do a bit of reading !. Can't help you with the handbrake or head unit, as S2 handbrake is different from SE, & i never listen to stereo.

[Enright]

Hi Shaun and welcome.

Gazza will probably want to know which limited edition number you have before long.
Also I'd recommend that you update your profile to include your location ASAP. We're dotted all over the place and you'll often find someone not too far away who can help.
Get used to clicking the "check unread posts" link from the main index page when you log in. That way you'll see who has replied to yours, and also may pick up on the hot topics of the moment, group buys etc.

Anyway to your specific issues:

1) PAS: Check that your fluid is topped-up and that the PAS belt isn't slipping.
Then you'll usually find that it's firm without being unduly heavy (a hand's effort rather than a finger or two, and certainly not your whole upper body).
They do all hiss like angry pythons though!

2) Brakes: Generally regarded as being barely adequate. The old sliding pin design of caliper needs regular maintenance to keep it free and in tip-top condition. Otherwise your foot's effort goes into purely overcoming the friction of partially siezed pins, rather than into the pads themselves. Many people upgrade to Hi-Spec or Wilwood (or AP if they've got heaps of spare cash)!

3) Stereo: That's a non-standard one. Try Googling the model number.

4) Parking brake: Also a bit crap. How good a mechanic are you? I would get the back end up on stands (only using the jacking points mind you) and the wheels off. Then check operation against the manuals, which you can download for free from this site.

You'll be astonished at the speed of replies you get - you can spend a lot more time reading than driving if you're not careful!
You'll also be astonished at how modified they can get too. And we're talking about anything from a set of rims to Costas with his 360BHP (and that's before he hits the Nitrous) monster "Sh4rk".
Take a look at the Projects thread and at PaulP's, Monty's or Dico's. All are excellent examples with lots of pictures showing how far you can go while still retaining the spirit of the Elan.

[Dave Eds]

You'll be astonished at the speed of replies you get

Cos some saddos spend all day on here ie Neil, Paul, Dico, Monty (& me ) to name a few

[Sy V]

Shaun

I agree with Neil's and Paul's offerings thus far. But, if your car has sat for that length of time you'd be wise to concentrate on a caliper overhaul as a priority.

The only reason why Paul doesn't listen to stereo is that he can't...not with only one ear in the middle of his forehead!

[Paul.P]

The only reason why Paul doesn't listen to stereo is that he can't...not with only one ear in the middle of his forehead!;-)

Thanks mate

[bobface]

As i am a mechanical doofus, the idea of taking the wheels off for anything other than changing the wheel fills me with thoughts of brake springs spoinging off into my eye (Lenny in the simpsons anybody?).

Any recommendations for reputable service/tuning outfits in/near Southampton?

s

[bobface]

oh and thanks for the speedy replies guys!

[muley]

I've heard good reports on these folks

- not too far from Southampton.

Usual disclaimers.


Jim

[M100 TWO]

Shaun, email or pm me with your telphone number. we could then arrange for you to come round with the S2, I would be happy to have a look at it for you.
john

[John_W]

Shaun,
Agree with the above lot. You need to free off the sliding pins on all of the brakes. I got fed up with doing mine every month and bought Wilwoods which are great.

Your description of the S2 handbrake sounds a bit like it's supposed to do except for the binding on bit. Are you sure you're releasing it properly? The S2 handbrake is a bit like the Esprit (I'm told), but having and SE myself, you'd better get an S2 owner to tell you about their funny handshakes in private somewhere.

The Elan is a great car, but like anything, you've got to keep it in good nick. Most people on here like doing that themselves as it counts as fun (or at least as near to fun as most on here get). Sounds like yours might need a good once-over to make sure it's well set-up.

John

[paulrwebster]

As i am a mechanical doofus, the idea of taking the wheels off for anything other than changing the wheel fills me with thoughts of brake springs spoinging off into my eye (Lenny in the simpsons anybody?).

Any recommendations for reputable service/tuning outfits in/near Southampton?

s

I use Fibreglass Services in Arundel. It looks grubby as anything when you roll up , however they have loads of knowledge and only charge £35 an hour.

http://www.fibreglassservices.co.uk/index.html

[ailwyn]

The S2 (upgraded ) handbrake has a space saving feature by collapsing to the left when it's on.

The way to check that the handbrake is off is when at the lowest position the button will be out, when in space-saving position the button is withdrawn.

To check operation, chock the front wheels, jack up the rear end and put on axle stands, take off the handbrake and try to spin the rear wheels by hand.

To jack the rear, look under the car from the back and where the lower wishbones meet the chassis you'll see that at the back it is two parallel strips running between the wishbones (this is immediately forward of the bottom of the boot).

Place the jack (I'd use a hydraulic one) so that the plate(?) of the jack spans both parallels at about the centre (of the car). Jack the rear end up, place axle stands at either side of the parallels, but not under the wishbones.

Hope this helps.

Ailwyn

[garymb]

What a great site! I came here as a new owner intending to ask a couple of questions and found the answers already-- firstly about the hissing and slightly heavy steering (sounds as though that is pretty normal for the Elan) and about the brakes which as someone said seem 'barely adequate.'

While I'm up to some fairly minor mechanical work I think upgrading the brakes might be beyond me. Also I'd like to get the chassis checked out. From what I can gather the wishbones can go and generally getting them waxoiled is recommended. Currently I have no idea what sort of condition the chassis is in (she has done 77k) Any suggestions as to somewhere in my area where I might be able to get these issues checked out? (near Woodbridge, Suffolk).

All suggestions welcome!

[Dave Eds]

What a great site! I came here as a new owner intending to ask a couple of questions and found the answers already-- firstly about the hissing and slightly heavy steering (sounds as though that is pretty normal for the Elan) and about the brakes which as someone said seem 'barely adequate.'

While I'm up to some fairly minor mechanical work I think upgrading the brakes might be beyond me. Also I'd like to get the chassis checked out. From what I can gather the wishbones can go and generally getting them waxoiled is recommended. Currently I have no idea what sort of condition the chassis is in (she has done 77k) Any suggestions as to somewhere in my area where I might be able to get these issues checked out? (near Woodbridge, Suffolk).

All suggestions welcome!

Dave TEA has used Hangar 111

[Paul.P]

Gary, do you go near GST Performance in Newmarket ?, excellent guy called Gerald runs it, as used by many on here !. 01638 661144

[Dave Eds]

Gary, do you go near GST Performance in Newmarket ?, excellent guy called Gerald runs it, as used by many on here !. 01638 661144

I slipped up there Mr P.

[Gazza]

Gazza will probably want to know which limited edition number you have before long.

bobface

Now that it seems you are settled into the LEC community, I was just wondering







Any chance of your Limited Edition Number?

Gazza

[muley]

What a great site! I came here as a new owner intending to ask a couple of questions and found the answers already-- firstly about the hissing and slightly heavy steering (sounds as though that is pretty normal for the Elan) and about the brakes which as someone said seem 'barely adequate.'

While I'm up to some fairly minor mechanical work I think upgrading the brakes might be beyond me. Also I'd like to get the chassis checked out. From what I can gather the wishbones can go and generally getting them waxoiled is recommended. Currently I have no idea what sort of condition the chassis is in (she has done 77k) Any suggestions as to somewhere in my area where I might be able to get these issues checked out? (near Woodbridge, Suffolk).

All suggestions welcome!

edited to add : got muddled up between bobface and garymb ..as it's an S2 your lower rear wishbones will be galvanised, so shouldn't present a problem. Front 'wishbones' or more correctly Track Control Arms should be checked. Upper wishbones, too.

Welcome to LEC !

Cheers

Jim

[bobface]

I'm driving (or was, see next post...) number 198 - it's the very dark green with tan interior. Are you keeping a list?!