Changing front dampers

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:48 pm

Standard s2 Bilsteins - is it as simple as top and bottom mounting bolts, or is there anything else involved, anything to watch out for, difficult access, etc?

Victor Meldrew · Post by **Victor Meldrew** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:16 pm

Scott M wrote:Standard s2 Bilsteins - is it as simple as top and bottom mounting bolts, or is there anything else involved, anything to watch out for, difficult access, etc?

Make sure you get the right type, the K and Yota are diferent I believe. Other than that, simples..

roadboy · Post by **roadboy** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:57 pm

Are you changing the entire assemblies or just the dampers? If its just the dampers (the cheaper way if buying new) then you'll need spring compressors to swap the prings over.

If its the whole assemblies then the only thing to watch out for is the top hat spacers used on the upper mount.

HTH

Dan

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:29 am

I was looking to get them complete, to avoid the need for seeking out spring compressors.

What's to watch out for with the spacers?

roadboy · Post by **roadboy** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 1:09 pm

They are a just a bit fiddly to refit. And make sure you make note of which way round they are when you take them out. Make sit slightly easier to fit if you're putting them in the right way.

Dan

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:26 am

I couldn't get hold of the guy on SELOC who used to sell dampers complete with springs, and MMC were pricey, so I've ordered them separately and I'll see if I can get a local garage to put the springs on.
How do I ensure standard ride-height (I won't have the old one off to compare)- are there fixed positions for the spring collar, or is it based on a measurement?

Also, probably worth changing the mounting nuts'n' bolts - anyone know off-hand what size they are?

roadboy · Post by **roadboy** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:14 am

There are three different positions for the bottom spring collar. Determined by which groove the circlip is fitted to. You will need to check your other dampers and see which one it is in to ake sure they are the same.

Most springs compressors don't fit the 1.9" springs as they foul the damper body so you may struggle to find someone who can do it. I'm sure Lotus still sell the damper assemblies complete with springs already fitted. Would make life easier.

Mounting bolts are M10 x 55mm for the bottom and M10 x 70mm for the top, and M10 Nyloc nuts.

HTH

Dan

Scottish Elises

Changing front dampers

Changing front dampers

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