More problems :( Right wheel brace?)

[markuskj]

Guys,

Forgive me I am not sure of the terminology but I was just driving along and applied the breaks (Lotus Esprit V8 1996) when I heard a pop. After inspection I noticed that the front right wheel was back about 1cm and when I looked underneath the forwardmost strut of the part that looks like and A (which connects the wehhl to the body) had snapped at the join with the wheel socket.

Has anyone experienced this before? Any advice greatly appreciateed in my hour of need !!

Thanks

Mark

[kmaier]

Can you take a digital pic and post it? It's just not clear what you're referring to.

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[Dr.Hess]

I think he is saying his A arm snapped off at the upright. Yeah, take some pics. Try to find a used one. There may be a few used ones around off of parts cars. I have never heard of that failure. Doo-doo happens. I don't think that replacement is that involved. I haven't taken an Esprit A arm off but I have done plenty of others, including the one I built myself for my Seven. Should just separate the lower ball joint, unbolt, put new one in and align.

Dr.Hess

[lotusguy]

Dr.Hess said:

I think he is saying his A arm snapped off at the upright. Yeah, take some pics. Try to find a used one. There may be a few used ones around off of parts cars. I have never heard of that failure. Doo-doo happens. I don't think that replacement is that involved. I haven't taken an Esprit A arm off but I have done plenty of others, including the one I built myself for my Seven. Should just separate the lower ball joint, unbolt, put new one in and align. Dr.Hess

Doc,

At least on the earlier cars it's a bit more involved than you intimate as the Lower Ball Joint is pressed into the Lower Control Arm ('A' arm), you need to detach the Vertical Link (w/ Ball Joint Separator), unload the Spring and detach the Shock, disenagage the Anti-Roll Bar. Then you need to press the Lower Ball Joint into the new Control Arm, press in new Bushings, reload and attach the Spring and Shock, torque everything to spec. You'll probably also need an alignment check once you're through.

Definitely a job for a fairly experienced DYIer who has access to a Hydraulic Press. I have done it to an Esprit ('89SE), but would be more inclined to farm it out next time. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE

[dr.hess]

Well, as long as you have the tools. I have various pickle forks, Pitman arm pullers, 20 ton press, spring compressor, etc. I heard that you need some type of funnel attachment to get the bushing in, is that right? I also have a 6" Atlas-Clausing metal lathe for just such an emergency.

Dr.Hess

[greezmunky]

anywhere from $150 - $500 for parts depending on what exactly happened. The bushing is going to be a pain, but the job shouldnt take a good mechanic more than 3 hours. Some info here: www.exit109.com/~mfennell/lotus/bush/

Parts will probably be much cheaper for you in the UK.

[jk1]

dr.hess said:

I heard that you need some type of funnel attachment to get the bushing in, is that right? I also have a 6" Atlas-Clausing metal lathe for just such an emergency. Dr.Hess

Yes that's correct. It's a metal sleeve about 3" long with the inside hole tapered in diameter from end to end. Would be pretty simple to make if you have the tools and know how, otherwise it's $50 from the usual sources....

[markuskj]

Gents, I am just getting photos taken. The garage I took it to identified the part as the offside front tiebar - does this sound correct?

If so, what are your suggestions for parts?

Kind regards,

Mark

I just spoke to Steve @ SJ Sportscars and he says that he thinks the garage means the lower wishbone.

If somone with experience with this part could give me their thoughts i would be honoured!

I now have a photo:

>> Edited by markuskj on Friday 9th July 12:08

[dr.hess]

Yeah, Lower Wishbone is the official name in the Lotus parts manual. Right hand side is part number AO82C4I.483 on SE models. Don't know if V8's are the same, but I suspect they are.

I would also examine it closely and see exactly where it broke. Was it just the weld that broke or did it break next to the weld, or just exactly what. I would consider having it re-welded by someone that was very good if it was just the weld that let loose. I can't really tell from your pic, but if the tube originally extended into the square part and snapped off at where it leaves the square part, which is what it sort of looks like, you could also make an insert plug to fit inside the two broken pieces then weld it. I think that would be the proper way to reinforce the break for a repair. But that is just me and you may prefer to just get a new one.


Dr.Hess


>> Edited by dr.hess on Friday 9th July 14:02

[MikeyRide]

dr.hess said:

Yeah, Lower Wishbone is the official name in the Lotus parts manual. Right hand side is part number AO82C4I.483 on SE models. Don't know if V8's are the same, but I suspect they are.

Early V8s like the original poster's may be the same (probably) but later ones are not. They use a tapered bush arrangement at the front to keep the arm more stable under braking (at least that's what was explained to me).