Shock Absorbers (Dampers)
Discussion
What the donor is? Huh?
You mean the company that spends hundreds of hours fine tuning suspension set-ups for their own products, as well as having contracts to sort out handling issues for many other manufacturerers (including some 'big' names) has to buy in dampers for their (then) flagship car, that were initially fitted to another make and they don't spec the dampers themselves? Well, I guess you could be right.....
You mean the company that spends hundreds of hours fine tuning suspension set-ups for their own products, as well as having contracts to sort out handling issues for many other manufacturerers (including some 'big' names) has to buy in dampers for their (then) flagship car, that were initially fitted to another make and they don't spec the dampers themselves? Well, I guess you could be right.....
toyroom said:
I am in the UK. I can't get a pair of rear shocks anywhere from Lotus. They won't say (as usual) what the donor is. Any recommendations for similar or better spec units for a similar price and without the need to replace any other bits ? Any suggestions, full stop ? It is a '97 V8
Have you considered getting the existing ones refurbished?
GKP said:
What the donor is? Huh?
You mean the company that spends hundreds of hours fine tuning suspension set-ups for their own products, as well as having contracts to sort out handling issues for many other manufacturerers (including some 'big' names) has to buy in dampers for their (then) flagship car, that were initially fitted to another make and they don't spec the dampers themselves? Well, I guess you could be right.....
You mean the company that spends hundreds of hours fine tuning suspension set-ups for their own products, as well as having contracts to sort out handling issues for many other manufacturerers (including some 'big' names) has to buy in dampers for their (then) flagship car, that were initially fitted to another make and they don't spec the dampers themselves? Well, I guess you could be right.....
Well said, chum.
teigan said:
and it takes a lotus engineer on each end to open it.
teigan said:
i'm still skeptical the lotus selected substitution tyres are a satisfactory compromise in terms of safety and performance. has anything else come on the market since? i'm gonna miss the dunlops when i retyre them.
teigan said:
because lotus couldn't engineer their way out of a velcro diaper.
teigan said:
lotus didn't do a very good job with tolerances, so some shimming may be necessary to get a good seal.
teigan said:
if lotus learned anything from racing, they didn't apply it to designing production cars. what a useless bunch they are.
Anyone else noticing a pattern in this guys posts. If you car is that much of a pain in the a$$ for fcuks sake sell it and give us all a break from your constant bitching...............
Toyroom,
I am very surprized by you claim that Lotus have no stock of V8 spring or dampers. I know for 1985 and older cars it is getting difficult. If you want i can make contact with Lotus direct to check for you.
You should post on LotusEspritForum The esprit technicial department at the factory actually monitor the posts on that stite. LEF is linked from LEW which is Lotus approved.
Regards
Dermot
I am very surprized by you claim that Lotus have no stock of V8 spring or dampers. I know for 1985 and older cars it is getting difficult. If you want i can make contact with Lotus direct to check for you.
You should post on LotusEspritForum The esprit technicial department at the factory actually monitor the posts on that stite. LEF is linked from LEW which is Lotus approved.
Regards
Dermot
The dealer I use is a Lotus main dealer and the shocks were ordered well over a month ago. The parts guy told me that they have an Elise on the ramp right now waiting for shocks and they have been told that they will not be available before September ! And that's a current production car ! Makes you wonder where they get the parts for the cars they are manufacturing.
If you could check this, I would be very grateful.
Also, if I don't use the factory parts, which alternatives are ther, which would you recommend, do I have to change the springs as well and do I have to do all 4 corners or can this be done one axle at a time ?
Thanks !
If you could check this, I would be very grateful.
Also, if I don't use the factory parts, which alternatives are ther, which would you recommend, do I have to change the springs as well and do I have to do all 4 corners or can this be done one axle at a time ?
Thanks !
toyroom said:
Please expand ! Where, when, how much , how long to do it ??!! Problem is that I can't really be without the car for more than a couple of days, it is my every day transport. Thanks in advance
It can take between 1 to 2 weeks for Bilstein to do it, depending on how busy they are. They charged me £60 plus vat for each Ferrari damper.
Let me know and I'll dig out the telephone number for you.
angelis said:
toyroom said:
Please expand ! Where, when, how much , how long to do it ??!! Problem is that I can't really be without the car for more than a couple of days, it is my every day transport. Thanks in advance
It can take between 1 to 2 weeks for Bilstein to do it, depending on how busy they are. They charged me £60 plus vat for each Ferrari damper.
Let me know and I'll dig out the telephone number for you.
IIRC, I don't think the oem shocks are rebuildable....
toyroom said:
The dealer I use is a Lotus main dealer and the shocks were ordered well over a month ago. The parts guy told me that they have an Elise on the ramp right now waiting for shocks and they have been told that they will not be available before September ! And that's a current production car ! Makes you wonder where they get the parts for the cars they are manufacturing.
If you could check this, I would be very grateful.
Also, if I don't use the factory parts, which alternatives are ther, which would you recommend, do I have to change the springs as well and do I have to do all 4 corners or can this be done one axle at a time ?
Thanks !
If you could check this, I would be very grateful.
Also, if I don't use the factory parts, which alternatives are ther, which would you recommend, do I have to change the springs as well and do I have to do all 4 corners or can this be done one axle at a time ?
Thanks !
IIRC the 2004 adjustables plus springs can be fitted to your car. Might think about going that route (at a price, of course)
ErnestM
I would recommend changing the springs at the same time as you replace the dampers. The reasons being that (1) The amount of work involved is the same (2) The springs aren't very expensive (3) It is an ideal time to do some preventative maintenance - when I replaced the suspension on my esprit it was 11 years old and the bottom coil of 3 of the 4 springs was broken! (4) If you buy the springs and dampers as part of an approved kit they will be matched to each other so the handling should not be compromised.
You could get away with changing the sprins and dampers on one axle at a time rather than going for the full set but I would personally take the opportunity to replace the whole set together. Try looking at the following link for some upgrade suggestions www.lotusespritworld.com/EGuides/EModifications/suspension.html
I used the Leda suspension kit from C.A.R.S. and found them to be very good other than the fact that (1) It took several months from ordering to receiving them and (2) They effectively used me as a guinnea pig to try out the set up. They did this without my prior knowledge and it was only when I found out that the springs on the front were far too long that this came to light. Consequently, I had to have the car off the road for several weeks while they manufactured shorter ones using the new dimensions that I gave them. Hopefully they have resolved this by now and have the units in stock......
Good luck with your search.
Danny.
You could get away with changing the sprins and dampers on one axle at a time rather than going for the full set but I would personally take the opportunity to replace the whole set together. Try looking at the following link for some upgrade suggestions www.lotusespritworld.com/EGuides/EModifications/suspension.html
I used the Leda suspension kit from C.A.R.S. and found them to be very good other than the fact that (1) It took several months from ordering to receiving them and (2) They effectively used me as a guinnea pig to try out the set up. They did this without my prior knowledge and it was only when I found out that the springs on the front were far too long that this came to light. Consequently, I had to have the car off the road for several weeks while they manufactured shorter ones using the new dimensions that I gave them. Hopefully they have resolved this by now and have the units in stock......
Good luck with your search.
Danny.
toyroom said:
I am in the UK. I can't get a pair of rear shocks anywhere from Lotus. They won't say (as usual) what the donor is. Any recommendations for similar or better spec units for a similar price and without the need to replace any other bits ? Any suggestions, full stop ? It is a '97 V8
Hi John,
If you like, you may also take two shocks + springs from our adjustable suspension kit. Usually we sell the kit with 4 shocks, but its also doable to split one kit for you. Price will be half.
Look: www.freudhoefer.de/lotus/esprit/pr
Marcus
www.PUKesprit.de
Edited by Paula&Marcus on Wednesday 5th July 09:55
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