Lotus Elan Central

by **Dovey** » Sat 25.02.2006, 15:00

I know some of you guys are running on 17's, but am I the only one whos slowly destroying the wheel arch liners on the front? Stock suspension, just 17's. Was thinking about lowering the front (the back looks way better lowered) but cant see how its possible...

by **stevo** » Sat 25.02.2006, 15:37

what size of tyres have you fitted and what is the whell offset?
missy has 17's and is the lowest elan i've ever seen and i get the odd little rub.

by **Rambo** » Sat 25.02.2006, 15:37

Send Stevo a PM. He may be able to enlighten you as he runs on 17 inch Antera's. If you go to Donny you'll be able to see them in the flesh

Mark

by **Monty** » Sat 25.02.2006, 16:40

I`ve got 17`s with no probs, just wonder have u got bigger than 205`s fitted?

or maybe u`ve got 45`s instead of the 40`s

by **Dovey** » Sun 26.02.2006, 15:20

They are a 40mm offset, tyres are 205/40/17 and the wheel arch liners are correctly fitted and secured in place. Rubbing is on both sides. Shes still on her original springs and dampers, 15 years old of course, and changing them is my best (ahem, only) idea to stop this problem. But then again it might be a spectacular waste of money...

Stevo, I take it you have lowered the front end. Do you have stiffer springs?

Thanks for your input guys, this ones got me stumped...

by **DeanG** » Mon 27.02.2006, 01:23

I get a very little bit of rubbing even with my stock 16" (Federal car). The rash is at the outter edge, forward and top.

by **stevo** » Mon 27.02.2006, 11:33

dovey, missy is lowered all round with sj springs at the front and standard springs with more preload at the rear. the wheels and tyres you have fitted are the same size and offset as mine so it shouldn't rub to badly.

by **Dovey** » Mon 27.02.2006, 17:14

Sounds the same place as mine DeanG, which makes me feel a bit better about it...

It doesn't rub badly at all. When I'm doing 'normal' driving, there is no rubbing. On B roads doing 'faster' driving is when I get the odd rub. Think I'll have a look into sj's front springs, and keep my original dampers for now. I take it you have had no handling problems with standard springs on the rear and stiffer springs on the front stevo? If she runs ok and doesn't rub with that setup I can get the adjustable dampers later....

by **Monty** » Mon 27.02.2006, 18:56

Dovey,

I wouldn`t put stiffer springs on without having the adjustable dampers as u will end up looking like a off roader. If u`r springs are ok i wouldn`t bother with the stiffer spring.

by **Dovey** » Fri 03.03.2006, 05:39

The fronts are fine. Good point about the ride height Monty, I dont want to destroy the liners but the tractor look is not for me. Think i'll put the fronts on hold for a while and keep an eye on the liners.

Plus theres a V8 esprit which has caught my eye...must...resist...

Lotus Elan Central

17's rubbing on wheel arch liners...

17's rubbing on wheel arch liners...

I get some rubbing on the left front with my stock 16"

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