Elan Front shocks and springs

[RobL7/Elan]

I know front shocks and springs may be an old and often discussed issue, but as I look at replacing the front shocks and springs on my 1965 S2, I am finding them in short supply. What are the most available and best solutions for both? Are there shocks and springs available asembled, so as to avoid the compressing problems with the long front springs. Sources here in the U.S.? Dave Bean has said stock Shocks (Armstrong or equivalent) are NLA. Their alternative were other shocks and springs at much greater expense.

Thanks,
Rob

[elansprint71]

Check out Tony Thompson Racing here in the UK. He does superb fully adjustable springs and shocks. It's not worth just buying the cheapest for a car like the Elan- exploit that ride and handling.

http://www.tonythompsonracing.co.uk/

Cheers,
Pete.

[archigator]

Classic Garage has Konis... front and rear.

http://www.classicgarage.com/lotus3.html

Gary
'71 Elan Sprint
Miami, Florida

[RotoFlexible]

I have bought (but not yet installed) a set of TTR "road" shocks/springs from RD Enterprises (www.rdent.com, 215-538-9323). They are built up on Gaz shocks, I believe, and are fully adjustable on the car - both the shock itself, and ride height. They are assembled so you don't need to compress anything (except your food budget, because they are costly). Can't wait to try them out (but I have to wait, because the engine won't be ready for a while ).

[frearther]

I got new springs and adjustable Spax dampers at RD: www.rdent.com

Because the PO had uprated the rear springs but not the front, I went up a notch on the fronts. No results yet - still sorting out the carbies.

[paul356]

http://store.classicgarage.com/suspension.html

I stumbled across this site as am rebuilding my suspension!

They are very cheap against UK prices!

Regards

Paul

[paros]

I can certainly recommend the TT shocks and springs. I used them on an Elan that I even raced with these shocks, before going to more of a full race spec set up for the suspension.
Superb on Greek roads which must have been the ultimate test of any shock/spring set up.
They will be on ebay for sale soon!
Richard

[ceejay]

Near the end of last summer (Aust) I decided to undertake a major
rebuild of the ?lan S2 front suspension, most of the bushes were
getting a bit tired, the springs were stuffed, and things weren?t as
they should be at the pointy end of the car.

We installed a new set of upper wishbones - tubular adjustable.
A complete set of new lurethane (red) suspension bushes and
inner stainless spacer/crush tubes.
Converted the konis with a set of adjustable spring platforms,
collars, threaded barrels etc, all components were machined in house.

We chose & Installed a set of Eibach racing coils, because original
springs were not available at the time.

Spring Specs:
Make: Eibach
Free length: 305mm (12.2")
Wire Dia: 9.00mm (0.354").
Spring Rate: 114Lbs.
Front sway bar dia is 16mm (5/8").

Yes, the free length of the Eibach springs is much shorter than the
originals, does it make any difference, no non-at all, fully adjustable
spring platforms take care of that and allow several ride height settings,
you simply dial in whatever settings/ride height you wish.

After the full rebuild, the ?lan was taken to the local high
performance suspension guru to complete the front end set up.

The result, the ?lan is far better to drive than ever, the
higher spring rate does not feel harsh out on the road. All of
the work and extra expense was worth the effort. The higher front
spring rates are matched by 80Lb rear springs, which are also
fully adjustable for ride height.

The photos show some of the work carried out.
Col Croucher.

[bill308]

Col,

Whose upper and lower A-arms are you using? What pricing were you able to get for these items?

Bill

[ElliottN]

Have a look at www.elantrikbits.com

[ElliottN]

Have a look at www.elantrikbits.com