Is it time for a new front damper/spring set?

[kmckmc]

Hi,

Please take a look of this picture. Is it time to change?

This is a 1995 S2 with Fed/USA rims and wilwood brake system.

Picture taken with half full petrol/gasoline and no one sitting in side elan.

Thanks.

[M100 TWO]

Uk car is 170mm from the ground, take a center line through the lower wishbone front pivot bolts, rear 160mm ground to bottom of chassis Chanel connecting the bottom wishbones, the US cars run 1 inch higher for the SE not sure about S2 for the US
john ps full tank no occupants

[Dovey]

I thought it should be half tank of petrol with driver and no passenger.... Answers on a postcard...

Can't see anything obviously wrong with suspension. But where is the front dam/rubber lip thingy? Or has it been painted? Or didn't the yanks get one?

[M100 TWO]

Dovey you are right if you are setting up the suspension, but if you want to check the ride height it is a full tank and no occupants
john

[Galsia]

There is somethng obviously wrong with my ride height...

I think that at present the car is about 2-3 inches too high. The sill is about 7 inches from the floor at the moment. Its been like this since I brought the car. Have a look:



I know that my car does have the correct UK rated springs fitted so could it be the shocks?

It looks awful, almost like its on stilts.

Thanks.

[Candles]

If they are adjustable dampers then they are set way too high. They may be fed spec dampers which may have the spring seat higher. Either way, yes, it is way too high.

Candles.

[Monty]

There is somethng obviously wrong with my ride height...

I think that at present the car is about 2-3 inches too high. The sill is about 7 inches from the floor at the moment. Its been like this since I brought the car. Have a look:



I know that my car does have the correct UK rated springs fitted so could it be the shocks?

It looks awful, almost like its on stilts.

Thanks.

That`s the way Pinky was when i 1st got her as the previous owner had fitted fedspec dampers and springs, which i soon changed over to AVO dampers, stock rear springs but kept the fed front springs

If your not on adjustables then you have the wrong spring rating as this is what give you your ride height.

Think Chris.t had the fedspec dampers & springs fitted but had the springs replaced with the SE springs cause of the ride height problem

[Galsia]

Thanks for the replies.

Is there an esy way to find out if I have adjustables fitted? I'm gonna go and have a look at the service history now...

[F1 LOTUS]

The shock (damper) will have the body threaded below the spring so you can adjust the height - should be easy to see by turning the wheel full-lock?

[Galsia]

I'll have a look for some means of adjustment. If I can't see anything, then I'll need to get some adjustable dampers then? I can still keep the same (UK spec, not uprated) springs?

I want to be absolutely positive before I spend anymore money.

[Galsia]

Ok, I've just found out tht my dampers are not adjustable. Any ideas?

Thanks.

[tigerdog]

But where is the front dam/rubber lip thingy? Or has it been painted? Or didn't the yanks get one?

Yanks definitely got one. It's harder to see since the extended bumper causes it to be somewhat recessed compared to the UK.

[F1 LOTUS]

Ok, I've just found out tht my dampers are not adjustable. Any ideas?

Thanks.

You could ask the previous owner if they fitted longer springs for some reason? Check that a spacer hasn't been put below the spring?

[Galsia]

I fitted new springs last week. They're definately the correct UK ones. I didn't see a spacer.

[Monty]

I fitted new springs last week. They're definately the correct UK ones. I didn't see a spacer.

Were did you get the springs from?

This is strange, if you`ve got fedspec dampers with stock springs then they should be fine IIRC Chris.t went with fed dampers & springs and had to have the his old stock springs refitted cause of the ride height issue.

So i`d question if the springs you fitted are the stock ones

Just thinking is your Elan an NA?

[Galsia]

I fitted new springs last week. They're definately the correct UK ones. I didn't see a spacer.

Were did you get the springs from?

This is strange, if you've got fedspec dampers with stock springs then they should be fine IIRC Chris.t went with fed dampers & springs and had to have the his old stock springs refitted cause of the ride height issue.

So i'd question if the springs you fitted are the stock ones

Just thinking is your Elan an NA?

The springs are from SJ Sportscars. They are not the uprated ones (parts: SJ100C003 and SJ100D005).

I dunno what the shocks are. My service history only goes back to 1994 so I'm missing the first four years. There is no mention of any changes. They are not adjustable and they look like they've been on the car for many years.

My car was exactly the same height before I changed the springs.

[Monty]

mmmmmm

Well in that case sounds like your on a stock setup I have heard that the N/S rear does sit higher, don`t know if this is to do with the fuel tank Was the Tank empty when you took the above picture?

If it does turn out to be the stock setup and your not happy with the ride height, then you`ll have to go for adjustables dampers and/or having springs made up.

[Enright]

Nick, I'm totally baffled by this one - it's the first time I've seen an Elan on stilts!

Having seen you driving around your Elan doesn't appear unduly high, but in that pic it looks bizarre.

My car had already had sports suspension fitted when I bought it, and it's needed no work at all, so I don't know how much help I can be, but give me a yell if you like and I'll certainly stick my head underneath for a look - after all there's plenty of room for it!

[The Ref]

I can be, but give me a yell if you like and I'll certainly stick my head underneath for a look - after all there's plenty of room for it.


Are you sure about that

[Enright]

I wondered who would take the bait, but my money was on it being someone from the North West, not the North East!