Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

So I am tentatively fitting my suspension together, new 26R TTR stuff with frame. All the rod ends use a bolt as a shaft and have typical snug clearance in those situations. Except the upper fronts which use the studs on the uprights as shafts, and they are quite tight. The rod ends slide over the threaded part just fine, then bind on the unthreaded. Vernier says the ID and OD are the same within a couple thou.

Reading about rod ends, some are supposed to be pressed on in some industrial uses, and if that's the case here, I can do that. TTR says they're to be tight. But they are way tighter than any other rod end so far.

Any experience with this? John

Ah! It's the paint!

Wiping down the studs with lacquer thinner and a bit of grey paint comes off, and the bearings slip perfectly on.

Yay!

John

They should slide on with no noticeable play, and then the inner part of the joint is clamped down solidly with a nut (or in other applications a bolt) they should not be a press fit. You should be able to hand assemble them without pressing them on or off.