Looking for RR lower wishbone arm

[bxs]

I'm wanting to obtain a right rear (RR) lower wishbone arm for my 1991 Lotus Elan M100.

I've been in touch with LotusBits Ltd who several months ago had one for £400. They've indicated they can obtain one - a remade one for around £465, but so far have not responded saying they have one.

Another source is PNM Engineering, but so far they show no availability for this lower wishbone.

I also note that Golden Gate Lotus Club does offer parts interchange and a cross-reference list that can be used to find parts from other M100s.

Any help for finding the wishbone would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Tuga2112]

did you actually called PMN or just checked their website ?

when it comes to parts that are so rarely purchased. that often happens is the companies forget update their websites. and when you call them intererested. they will have a rummage around and either get the gears in motion to produce one, or find one in stock to sell

[Steve A]

viewtopic.php?f=130&t=29883

[bxs]

@Tuga2112 I posted an enquiry on PNM's website even though their website showed no stock about my need for the RR lower wishbone, and a chap named Pete responded to me today saying....

Hi Barry,
We can supply these for £435.00 new.
Thanks,
Pete
PNM

So it appears they can supply me with the wishbone (new), along with needing the rear anti-roll bar ball socket that attaches to the wishbone. I estimate the ball socket is likely to cost £20.

So I replied to Pete today asking for an invoice to include the S&H to my USA address. I suspect this S&H to be around £150.

Thus total cost estimate should be around £435 + £20 + £150 =£605.00 (or some $816 USD).

I did find two lower wishbones on the UK eBay website for around £300. So, although this would be a saving, I feel more comfortable purchasing from PNM.

I now await for a final invoice from PNM.

Thanks for your help.

[bxs]

@Steve A
I responded to your posting at viewtopic.php?f=130&t=29883

[bxs]

PNM was being unresponsive to my enquiries I made to them on their website. At first they did return a quick response saying they could obtain a new one for £435... but a week later they became unresponsive.

So I went to eBay UK and found a used one for my US model LHD M100's passenger side rear lower wishbone. It had been taken from a low mileage M100 and was listed for £255 plus S&H from UK to USA, that in total came to around $613 USD. This used wishbone had been cleaned, sandblasted and covered in a black-looking rust protection and look in good condition,... and had the anti-roll bar ball socket attached which from PNM would have cost me around £55 + S&H.

[Steve A]

Sounds like you're sorted now

[bxs]

@Steve A - Yes it's on its way to my doorstep. Had to use UK eBay's Global shipping program to have it shipped to me in USA, that meant paying import and custom fees etc. No matter, the Total bill came to approx $615 which I consider to be reasonable considering Lotusbit.com sells used ones for £450 (if they can find them) or new ones built in SS for some £1250.

The UK eBay seller (David Wells) I purchased the wishbone from was very helpful, and we exchanged several messages before I completed the purchase. His business is located just a few miles from the Lotus factory and employs two former Lotus staff members. His primary business is restoring Jaguars for affluent 'old farts' UK collectors wanting to re-live their childhood dreams, though he also stocks salvaged Lotus parts. He actually owns a restored blue M100 as well. While he does not focus heavily on Lotus components, he noted that they are typically sold to hobby enthusiasts and track drivers.

I feel lucky.

As an aside, for USA located people dealing with UK-based car facilities, the following could be helpful.... At first my dealing with the eBay UK seller I had to get beyond the UK's terminology for referring to the passenger side of a car. Here in USA for LHD cars we refer to the passenger side as R (Right), and for the rear of the passenger side as RR (Right Rear). It appears that this terminology is different for UK as they refer to the passenger side as "off side" or simply "O". So for a UK RHD car the rear of the passenger side would be OR (Offside Rear). This aspect lead me to see that in my case the UK eBay seller was listing the M100 wishbone for a LHD M100 driver's side rear and not for the LHD M100 passenger side rear. After a short msg exchange with the eBay UK seller I was able to negotiate the correct wishbone description I was needing which happily for me he did have. The eBay UK seller then changed the eBay listing to reflect the proper terminology for USA buyers and then I was able to confirm that the wishbone was the correct one I was wanting, and could with confidence proceed with clicking the 'buy' button.

[Tuga2112]

yes the english are weird when it comes to talking about the side of the car.

they have the "near side" and the "off side"
i interpret it as "near to the kerb" and "off .... something?"... (i just say to myself "off is another term for away") it would make sense to call it left and right. and accept the assumption that you are sitting in the car to determine left and right.

RR made perfect sense to myself. i suspect the person you were talking to, was being extra careful because when it comes to car terminology the language differences are subtle... but with drastic consequences. (you love to put the hood down on a good say.... we MUST have the hood down anytime we are driving regadless of weather conditions)
also with the extra postage and customs costs. it would be extremely frustrating to receive the wrong part

[bxs]

@Tuga2112 Hmmmm.... Durham to Walsall is some 200 miles!

[Tuga2112]

that "regular" trip is not so regular these days