Replacing The Rear Struts
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Hi all
Has anyone replaced the rear strut housing on their Elan? ie. removed the steel shock casing from the aluminium bearing housing. I've seen articles on replacing the shock absorber casing by freezing the steel and heating the ali, into the press and squeeze gently, but what I would like advice on is the removal of the old strut casing before I get that far.
Thanks
Has anyone replaced the rear strut housing on their Elan? ie. removed the steel shock casing from the aluminium bearing housing. I've seen articles on replacing the shock absorber casing by freezing the steel and heating the ali, into the press and squeeze gently, but what I would like advice on is the removal of the old strut casing before I get that far.
Thanks
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SADLOTUS - Fourth Gear
- Posts: 561
- Joined: 19 Oct 2003
I've done this, after breaking off the complete caliper mount when a spyder bolt sheared on a redline start.
Unfortunately this meant a hacksaw and chisel job on the old casting.
The new casting and tube were assembled easily with a combination of cold and heat, but you have to work quickly. Put a jubilee clip on the tube when tapping it in to prevent it going too far.
Sean Murray
Unfortunately this meant a hacksaw and chisel job on the old casting.
The new casting and tube were assembled easily with a combination of cold and heat, but you have to work quickly. Put a jubilee clip on the tube when tapping it in to prevent it going too far.
Sean Murray
68 Elan +2, 70 Elan +2s
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Foxie - Coveted Fifth Gear
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- Joined: 20 Sep 2003
Most replacement struts are just inserts that go into the old tube, so if the problem is just that the strut no longer works right then you do not have to remove the tube.
Rob
Rob
- Rob_LaMoreaux
- Fourth Gear
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Thanks for taking time to add a reply,
I'd like to convert to 2 1/4 inch springs, I have the Tony Thompson inserts and outer tubes with adjustable spring platforms, the problem is the old outer tubes are bent and need replacing, so need to come out. I wondered if the tube and ally were an interference fit and if I heated the ally carefully it might expand quicker and be easier to separate the two. Does anyone know if the hexagonal nut looking thing on the bottom of the strut is a nut or a bolt or can be used to turn the tube to help break the two apart.
I'd like to convert to 2 1/4 inch springs, I have the Tony Thompson inserts and outer tubes with adjustable spring platforms, the problem is the old outer tubes are bent and need replacing, so need to come out. I wondered if the tube and ally were an interference fit and if I heated the ally carefully it might expand quicker and be easier to separate the two. Does anyone know if the hexagonal nut looking thing on the bottom of the strut is a nut or a bolt or can be used to turn the tube to help break the two apart.
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SADLOTUS - Fourth Gear
- Posts: 561
- Joined: 19 Oct 2003
You could go for the Spyder fabricated replacements
John
No longer active on here, I value my privacy.
No longer active on here, I value my privacy.
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nebogipfel - Coveted Fifth Gear
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....which also use the large inner bearing on the outer as well as no more circlip groove problems. and no i'm not employed by andy at spyder, but i did buy their gear for my plus2.
Martin
Martin
"He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy"
Monty Python's The Life Of Brian,best film ever.
Monty Python's The Life Of Brian,best film ever.
- lotusanglia1965
- Second Gear
- Posts: 109
- Joined: 19 Jul 2004
You might be able to separate the two but I think you would need a press to do it. I would put the ally bit in boiling water then see if it would press out. Not too sure of success though Have a word with the guys at TTR, I have always found them very helpful, they should be able to say if it is possible or not.
There was a pair of rear struts on eBay a while back. You could also try Spyder engineering has they usually have a good stock of s/h bits.
There was a pair of rear struts on eBay a while back. You could also try Spyder engineering has they usually have a good stock of s/h bits.
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steveww - Coveted Fifth Gear
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- Joined: 18 Sep 2003
The Lotus workshop manual has a habit of 'understating' the job. 'Knock out the old bearing' means strip the whole unit down and use a 7 ton hydraulic press to push them out!!
I would guess that removing the strut housing is equallly 'understated'.
I would guess that removing the strut housing is equallly 'understated'.
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pereirac - Coveted Fifth Gear
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- Joined: 01 Oct 2003
Can't agree more with nebogipfel. My +2 rear bearing seats were knackered and I replaced them with Spyder fabricated struts. Excellent quality and really easy to do. Car now handles like it should.
I believe Lotuses should be as original as possible. However, the Spyder replacement struts are far better and are also height adjustable and with the circlip problems fixed, I can now drive the car with confidence - like Chapman intended. What a car!
Hamish.
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I believe Lotuses should be as original as possible. However, the Spyder replacement struts are far better and are also height adjustable and with the circlip problems fixed, I can now drive the car with confidence - like Chapman intended. What a car!
Hamish.
.
"One day I'll finish the restoration - honest, darling, just a few more years....."
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Hamish Coutts - Fourth Gear
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- Joined: 29 Jun 2004
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