11 replies to this topic

[FLD]

Just thought I'd bung up a few pics from the suspension refresh journey. And what a journey it is!

Here's why I did it. Found this before the national last year and it made me think about selling up. Big thanks to Garry for swaying me towards S2K but the missus refused to let me sell it.



Decided to strip and rebuild just to make sure it was right. Took it off and broke it down. Not easy! I ended up with a broken finger when a troublesome ball joint finally gave and sent heavy bits of metal flying. Here's the scabby bits:


Got it blasted:


Plated the small bits myself with a gateros plating kit but you cant make enough electrolyte to do the big bits with one lot of chemicals so got the big bits done by brinksway. Their service is terrible, dont use them!!

Plated bits:



Retapped all the threads. Decided to coat it in one of those underbody rubber coatings (not the tar one, the rubber one). I used U-pol's finest and that is also rubbish!


Mmmmm, shiney!


This is the bit you dont want to hear....
Blasting 40 quid
plating 120 quid from rip-off brinksway bah!
Upol coating 15 quid
Cliffie bushes 160 I think
Set of ball joints 40 quid
Lotus TRE's 50 quid
Lotus Drop links 50 quid
Lotus sport adjustable arb 90
roll bar bushes 30
toe links 80 each
New set of bolts 35
HCB's 15

Think thats about it. I did consider the possibility of elise parts wishbones as they have bushes and ball joints. Might be an alternative to a refresh.

Edited by FLD, 27 April 2011 - 05:09 PM.

[Ormes]

Nice job

[CKR]

Wow! I'm doing exactly the same at the moment. Currently all my wishbones are away from blasting and powder cloating - got this done for 80, unless I want a cash job then he'll do it cheaper I've asked cliffie for a quote on parts, are the bushes OE rubber or uprated? Could ya let me know where you got the ball joints from? Also Tie rod ends? Basically I've been looking on Elise parts or shop and it seems £££ anyone else you've used? Looks a bloody good job though, I'll be happy if mine looks anywhere near as good.

[Ormes]

Wow! I'm doing exactly the same at the moment. Currently all my wishbones are away from blasting and powder cloating - got this done for 80, unless I want a cash job then he'll do it cheaper

I've asked cliffie for a quote on parts, are the bushes OE rubber or uprated?
Could ya let me know where you got the ball joints from? Also Tie rod ends? Basically I've been looking on Elise parts or shop and it seems £££ anyone else you've used?

Looks a bloody good job though, I'll be happy if mine looks anywhere near as good.

Planning on doing a refresh soon myself, but buying a shed first, as the VX is currently my daily driver.

I've done some research and found...

Cliffie will do Gaz golds and superpro bushes at a good price if thats your thing.
JG for hubcarrier bolts
Seriously lotus, elise parts and elise shop for the rest of the shizzle.

[BRG_Pete]

very nice How much fun did you have refitting the wishbones and castor shims, those were the bits that drove me crazy

[robin]

fun jon isnt it you not doing the brake lines?

[Mangham54]

Hmmm... Not for SWMBO's eyes. Honestly how much of a bastard is the refitting of the wishbones??? I am planning to start mine in the next few weeks, but really don't want to get half way through it and find out I run out of talent. Just need to collect parts and tools now!

[BRG_Pete]

Honestly how much of a bastard is the refitting of the wishbones???

Most lined up ok with a bit of jiggling/swearing/gentle tapping with a mallet. The rear uppers gave me the most hassle, needed a lot more swearing and a bigger mallet.

Edit: ...might actually have been the rear lowers that were a pain, can't remember now

Edited by BRG_Pete, 28 April 2011 - 09:12 AM.

[Seb.F]

Looks good! If I decide to keep mine I'll be sorting loads of bits and bobs out along the way, this will be one of them!

[Mangham54]

Hold up.... Where did you get a set of balljoints from for £40???? I know that in looking at EP or ES that alone was gonna push me towards the £150-200 mark. But where can you get them for that cheap (£5 each???) The bit I am really not looking forward to is seperating the rear hubs from the driveshafts as for some unknown reason I expect that the lot will just disintegrate in my hands as I do it. Think when I do this all I may be asking for someone who knows what they are doing to come and supervise. With payment being beer and BBQ food.

[FLD]

Wow! I'm doing exactly the same at the moment. Currently all my wishbones are away from blasting and powder cloating - got this done for 80, unless I want a cash job then he'll do it cheaper

I've asked cliffie for a quote on parts, are the bushes OE rubber or uprated?
Could ya let me know where you got the ball joints from? Also Tie rod ends? Basically I've been looking on Elise parts or shop and it seems £££ anyone else you've used?

Looks a bloody good job though, I'll be happy if mine looks anywhere near as good.

Mine are superpro polyurethane bushes from cliffie. The fit into the wishbones a treat. I even sent him a PM saying it was the first worthwhile VX mod that fitted properly/easily. This was BEFORE I started refiting them to the car. That was tricky. Castor shims weren't too bad. Just need to geo it now. I got my ball joints from lotus. They have just revised their supplier (cough QH cough) so I managed to get old stock cheap. Right place, right time I guess. I put on full tie bars but you can buy just the ends from Lotus.

Brake lines can be done later when I know I still have a job! Bit up in the air right now.

[techieboy]

The bit I am really not looking forward to is seperating the rear hubs from the driveshafts as for some unknown reason I expect that the lot will just disintegrate in my hands as I do it.

That's the easy bit as they're probably the toughest part on the car - swift smack with a heavy copper hammer on the castle nut is enough the disengage them from the splines. Your bigger problem will likely be getting the hubs out of the uprights. Getting the three securing bolts out isn't much fun but getting the hubs out.....