22 replies to this topic

[Chris P Duck]

Quick question. On disassembly the passenger side had 2 shims behind the wishbone and 2 in front, fairly standard from what I can gather. The drivers side however had all 4 shims behind the wishbone with none in front (all shims closest to the rear of the car). Now at the re-assembly point, do I put it back as it was or revert back to 2 either side? I guess the real question is, which is more likely. It's like that because that's what was needed to get the correct caster or because that was just easier for whichever lazy sod last had the wishbone out?

Edited by Chris P Duck, 29 February 2016 - 01:43 PM.

[Johnboyhgt]

Good one, think standard is 2 each side. however mine runs all 4 to the back too - take your pick guess it depends if your geo is set agressive all round.

 

Best way would be to have a full geo done and set up properly.

[Tony H]

The car is not necessarily the same side to side, to what you have might be what it needs to be even.

 

I put them all in front of the wishbone for max caster.

 

You have to keep the snubber behind or it will knock.

[Aerodynamic]

Where do I get new Caster shims? Br, Per

[Chris P Duck]

Mine came with a seriously lotus kit but they also sell them separately http://www.seriously...snubber-washers

[Aerodynamic]

Anyone know what size they are? Thickness? Then I could buy them in the local hardware store. Br, Per

[Nev]

Anyone know what size they are? Thickness? Then I could buy them in the local hardware store. Br, Per

 

Any old washers stacked up sensibly will do. Bind them together with grease and poke them into position with a screwdriver, takes 30 seconds contrary to some people here saying it's the hardest job theyve ever done on a car!

Edited by Nev, 01 March 2016 - 11:06 PM.

[Arno]

Anyone know what size they are? Thickness?  

 

Washers have a hole for M10 bolts and 1.5mm thick from Lotus/Opel.

 

Total stack thickness needs to be 6mm (4 shims) to space out the wishbone inside the chassis mounting point correctly..

 

Too little washers and you start compressing/bending the walls of the alu chassis beam inward when you tighten the bolts.

Too many washers and they will have a hard time fitting and will push the walls of the ali beam outward

 

If you know how they are distributed you can also use thicker spacers to combine washers. Eg. a 4.5mm spacer to combine 3 1.5mm washers into 1 big one.

 

Bye, Arno.

[Aerodynamic]

Yes perfect Thank you Arno will check this. And not stainless once I suppose? Br, Per

[Arno]

Stainless probably not such a great idea.. The inserts in the chassis are steel, but contact with stainless shims will accelerate the corrosion/rust on these unless you use some form of corrosion inhibitor.

 

Regular zinc-plated/galvanised shims/washers are fine and they last for ages in this location. Usually easier to get from normal local tool and fastener sellers in various sizes and thicknesses too

 

If you want to keep them in good shape then once it's all fitted, spray some Tectyl Amber (or similar products from Waxoyl or others) on them to give a water-repellent wax-like coating:

 

 

It never hardens completely and keeps a nice waxy/oily coating on it. Easy to get off with some degreaser if you want to.

 

Bye, Arno.

[Aerodynamic]

Why is seriously Lotus providing 14 shims/washers, Is it different front and rear upper front control arm mounting?

 

 

Br, Per

 

Anyone know what size they are? Thickness?  

 

Washers have a hole for M10 bolts and 1.5mm thick from Lotus/Opel.

 

Total stack thickness needs to be 6mm (4 shims) to space out the wishbone inside the chassis mounting point correctly..

 

Too little washers and you start compressing/bending the walls of the alu chassis beam inward when you tighten the bolts.

Too many washers and they will have a hard time fitting and will push the walls of the ali beam outward

 

If you know how they are distributed you can also use thicker spacers to combine washers. Eg. a 4.5mm spacer to combine 3 1.5mm washers into 1 big one.

 

Bye, Arno.

 

 

Edited by Aerodynamic, 04 March 2016 - 05:26 PM.

[Chris P Duck]

Why is seriously Lotus providing 14 shims/washers, Is it different front and rear upper front control arm mounting?    

They supply 14 washers and 2 snubber washers for a total of 16, which is what you need. 8 for each wishbone, 4 for the front mount and 4 for the rear. Originally the rear mounts are a smaller external diameter but this makes them much harder to install so this kit supplies all in the larger size.

[D-DAWG83]

Just answered my own question...

Edited by D-DAWG83, 05 March 2016 - 01:14 PM.

[Aerodynamic]

Agg just me dont understanding what a snubbe washers is.

[GaryK]

They're the two rubber washers like in the Seriously Lotus kit above. They go directly behind the bush on the front arm of the top/front wishbone. The recess takes the inner part of the bush.

[Arno]

But the snubber washers are only fitted with the OEM rubber bushes.

 

Do NOT (try to) fit the snubber washers with other types like polyurethane bushings or 'solid' types like ertacetal or rosejoints.

 

 

Bye, Arno.

[D-DAWG83]

Cheers Arno, saves me buying some, as i have Superpro bushes, and was going to get some new snubbers

[Arno]

In that case just replace the snubber washer with a plain steel one. The total spacer/washer thickness on each wishbone mounting point should stay 6mm (4x1.5 shims)

 

The reason the snubber can't be fitted 'as is' with other bushes is that these different bushes or bearings usually fill the whole cavity while the OEM bushes have the central steel tube extend out from the bushing. The rubber layer on the snubber then uses this void to slot into. (as in the diagram above)

 

On other bushes the rubber has nowhere to go as the central tube (if present) usually is the same length as the bush, so no 'free space' for the rubber to go.

 

Bye, Arno.

[Aerodynamic]

I found a washer that is ID 11.4mm OD 26mm 1mm thickness. Is the inner diameter a problem? Br, Per

[Tibbles Stryker]

Are you a geo specialist arno? If so book me in 👍