S4 Antiroll bar bushes

[JATLAN4]

Anybody got any thoughts on the best way to fit the rubber bushes that go between the drop links and the antiroll bar on an S4 Elan. Struggled for a few hours without success but I know that someone out there knows the easy way??
Cheers
John

[types26/36]

Have a read of this thread.
http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13953

[JATLAN4]

Thank you very much for your help - I finally got back to the job and managed to get it done using the tips provided. Minor problem now is should there be any packing washers either side of the bush that is bolted to the chassis. Mine is a standard Lotus chassis but there is plenty of sideways movement possible . I can obviously tighten the nut but this is just bending the inner lug. Any thoughts?
John

[tonycharente]

Hello,
Related query...
Is it easy to rebush the drop links, please - and if so who carries the bushes. (Neither Mattys nor Susan Miller have the R.H. Drop Link)
Many thanks
Tony

[CBUEB1771]

The +2 has the same arrangement. I found the flattened bar ends to be more narrow on one side than the other. Measure the width of both and install both of the drop links with bushes over the more narrow end. On my +2 the difference in effort required was significant.

[tonycharente]

Thanks CBUEB1771, but that wasn't my query. I am talking about the small bushes at the other end of the drop links - the ones that normally come fitted in the drop link when you buy new drop links. They seem to be pretty well stuck in there - how do you change them, and who supplies those bushes?

Thanks
Tony

[types26/36]

I could be wrong but I dont think those ones are replaceable, never seen any loose and l always assumed they were part of the drop link.

[RichardS]

I have just bought Superflex polyurethane bushes for the top of the drop links from Susan Miller - she also supplies the ones for the bottom. I also need to remove the old ones from the top - I am going to try and push out with a suitable socket and G clamp against the bush - or if it is really stuck then hacksaw through the central metal spindle and then through the rubber bushing.

Richard

[CBUEB1771]

The bushes at the top end of the drop link are bonded to the surrounding piece of tube. Lotus just welded the link directly to a Metalastik bushing rather than to a larger tube that the Metalastik would normally be pressed into. Getting the rubber out might require enough heat to get the adhesive bond to fail. I added my comment about the lower bushes as this was the initial topic of the thread.

[tonycharente]

I added my comment about the lower bushes as this was the initial topic of the thread.

Yes, sorry - I didn't mean to be rude.
Tony

[JATLAN4]

I actually got the cylindrical bushes from Tony Thompson but suspect the metal inner sleeve is shorter than the original ( unobtainable?) Lotus ones
John