Mk1 Elise suspension

[Juicetin]

Ive just bought a 1997 Elise and there are loads of rattles and knocking noises from the suspension. It has just been serviced and MOT'd by a nationally reputable specialist who says that "there is nothing wrong with it". Can somebody tell me, is this normal for an early Elise and what are the likely causes and fixes ? Thanks a lot.

[bogie]

TADTS !

pretty normal for std suspension

[fergusd]

'fraid that is par for the course

New dampers is the cure, or earplugs

Fd

[bertie]

Funny this should come up, after a very enjoyable and enthusiastic day at Donnington in the Sport 160 the front nearside seems to have developed a strange rattle.

I was thinking of jacking it up and taking a look but it appears I may be wasting my time.

[DanH]

Yep the suspension just does that after a bit of ware. Only fix is to replace it. One option is to get adapter plates to fit the superior S2 suspension. Alternatively LSS or some other options are fine.

[zebedee]

LSS makes loads of clinking noises too!

[Juicetin]

Thanks for replies, its a peculiar noise, not like the dampers, more like the anti-roll bar mounts or worn cones/bushes or something. Whatever, it still drives amazingly !

[dunxS1]

My s1 rattled so much when i bought it,i took it straight to an independant lotus specialist,only to be told it's normal,(just annoying).when one of the shockers started to leak i replaced them with nitrons-it's now silky smooth and quiet as a church mouse.

[joust]

If it sounds like you have a billard ball trapped in the suspension then it's just normal. The MK1 suspension is directly connected using metal on metal to the chassis tub, and hence the tub becomes a large "speaker" for any noises. The billiard ball noise is just the dampers - there is nothing "wrong" with it (mine has done it for the last 3 years) and new dampers will fix it (but then you'll hear other noises!)

J

[fergusd]

The dampers/suspension components are not mounted metal on metal to the chassis, the standard dampers use rubber bushes, the wishbones use rubber bushes . . .

Although this is not massively different from many cars the total lack of soundproofing means you hear everything.

As it happens I run rose jointed dampers and they don't seem to transfer any more noise to the car (rose joint IS a metal/metal spherical joint)

I believe the billiard ball noise that can be heard is the valve in the damper operating . . .

Old style ARB mountings can also cause a lot of noise if the bush is worn.

hth

Fd

[joust]

Fergus - I meant that the end of the suspension that holds the bushes is directly mounted to the tub - in a "normal" car it's mounted on the front subframe - if you look at this

then you can clearly see the shocks are mounted directly onto that box form that your feet go into - it's this box that acts just like a loud speaker resonnance box (think large sub woofer...)

J

[fergusd]

sure, but that's the same as almost any production, steel monocoque car on the road today . . .

Some cars do have an isolated subframe, but I've never seen the upper damper mounts mounted on this . . . only ever the lower wishbone (or whatever) mounts . . .

you are correct in saying the floor os a huge bib sounding plate though !

To see just how much Elise noise is actually road/tyre noise try this, accellerate to 40 mph and turn the engine off . . . and be amazed at the noise . . .

Fd

[NDT]

joust said: If it sounds like you have a billard ball trapped in the suspension then it's just normal. The MK1 suspension is directly connected using metal on metal to the chassis tub, and hence the tub becomes a large "speaker" for any noises. The billiard ball noise is just the dampers - there is nothing "wrong" with it (mine has done it for the last 3 years) and new dampers will fix it (but then you'll hear other noises!)

thank Goodness for that!
ten days into Elise ownership, and I was wondering whether something was a bit loose.....

[alunr]

I've heard talk that putting the Mk2's suspension in a Mk1 can have beneficial effects on noise and ride quality? Any truth?

[dave mills]

My S1 also rattles from dampers although worth checking everything out as ball joints and track rods call wear in low miles. Fitting Advan tyres dramatically reduces road noise gives better ride and MUCH more grip especially in wet. Best solution is a loud cd turn up !!

[DanH]

I've heard talk that putting the Mk2's suspension in a Mk1 can have beneficial effects on noise and ride quality? Any truth?

Well people are doing it and saying it works. You do need adjuster plates (think they are just for the front?). The S2 dampers are definitely better than the S1 standard ones - they are harder, but with better ride and they don't clank.

The ideal way of doing it is to find a moneybags upgrading to S2 LSS selling on their suspension

[joust]

Fergus - that's what I meant (sorry - english has deserted me) in that it's all normal metal suspension except that bloddy big sound box where the suspension attaches - most cars have lots of sound padding between that bit and the cabin, and don't have those lovely side members to give it in "surround sound"!

I must think more before writing this technical stuff - thanks for helping me out!

J

[joust]

Didn't notice any improvement in noise on the Advans - but boy do they stick better!

J