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

[The Ref]

sorry mate i just had to. after all you did set yourself up big time.

Billy

[Galsia]

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!

Yeah I only really noticed when I went to Donny and realised that every other Elan was lower.

You can have a look at it whenever its convenient for you.

[Galsia]

Here is another pic which shows the height well...



At least its clean.

[dermotbell]

I'm sure I've seen a thread on this subject before but can't find it.

[Galsia]

I'm sure I've seen a thread on this subject before but can't find it.

Any help would be much appreciated!

[dermotbell]

Try this, I think the end solution was a change of springs.

[Foo]

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.

On the bright side, you're probably not as shy of sleeping policemen

[Galsia]

Try this, I think the end solution was a change of springs.

I read that thread and went ahead and changed my springs for UK rated ones. The car is still just as high, so the springs aren't the problem.

On the bright side, you're probably not as shy of sleeping policemen

It still hurts my spine to go over them.

[dapinky]

Okay, as you seem to have exhausted all the obvious options, I'll have a punt at some advice.

Firstly, I don't want to disagree with anything that has been written so far - spring seat heights are always a good bet for this situation.

Secondly, I don't want to suggest that either you or your pet spannerman have got something 'basic' wrong, as I am the first person to use the maxim "If all else fails, read the instructions."

But.....



Were the bolts done up with the car in the air or on the ground?

They should be tightened lossely (does that make sence?) with the wheels in the air, and then let the car down so the weight is on the wheels and the suspension components allowed to 'settle' to ride height.

It is only then that you tighten up the nuts, and this will allow the bushes to sit without any 'pre-load' twisting in the housing, which will tend to 'wind up' the ride height.

Whether it would make a huge difference is argueable, but it may help.

[dermotbell]

I too have read this but forgot, it will make a difference.

[dermotbell]

I too have read this but forgot, it will make a difference.

[Galsia]

Okay, as you seem to have exhausted all the obvious options, I'll have a punt at some advice.

Firstly, I don't want to disagree with anything that has been written so far - spring seat heights are always a good bet for this situation.

Secondly, I don't want to suggest that either you or your pet spannerman have got something 'basic' wrong, as I am the first person to use the maxim "If all else fails, read the instructions."

But.....



Were the bolts done up with the car in the air or on the ground?

They should be tightened lossely (does that make sence?) with the wheels in the air, and then let the car down so the weight is on the wheels and the suspension components allowed to 'settle' to ride height.

It is only then that you tighten up the nuts, and this will allow the bushes to sit without any 'pre-load' twisting in the housing, which will tend to 'wind up' the ride height.

Whether it would make a huge difference is argueable, but it may help.

I have no idea how they were fitted to be honest. I have no idea about suspension, seeing as I've never had to work on one. Do you think the retightening job could be done with a couple of jackstands? Like doing the front first, then the rear, then retightening all of them when all four wheels are on the ground again?

[dapinky]

Basically, the only bolts you need to worry about are the pivot points for the suspension . ie, wishbones and shock mounting.

As long as they are final tightened with the weight on the wheel you can do a corner at a time.

Just jack up a corner, slacken off the relevant nuts, lower the car so the weight is on the wheel (or jack under the hub), then tighten the nuts up to the required torque.

It should take about an hour all-in to do 4 corners (unless any bolts are seized!)

[Galsia]

Basically, the only bolts you need to worry about are the pivot points for the suspension . ie, wishbones and shock mounting.

As long as they are final tightened with the weight on the wheel you can do a corner at a time.

Just jack up a corner, slacken off the relevant nuts, lower the car so the weight is on the wheel (or jack under the hub), then tighten the nuts up to the required torque.

It should take about an hour all-in to do 4 corners (unless any bolts are seized!)

Thanks for your help. Is there a pictorial guide on how to do this anywhere? I've jacked up my car and taken a wheel off before but thats about it.

Do you think its a job that a proper numpty could do?