Front wheel clearance

[esprit s2]

Every time I look at my Elite I think the front suspension has collapsed. I can’t see anything wrong with the components. 

‘Any thoughts?

[Straker]

What’s the other side like?

Are the measurements the same fore, aft and above the wheel the same on both sides?

 

[esprit s2]

Pretty much the same the other side.

[mikeeech]

Tired springs?

[Neil D.]

Distance between wheel centre and wheel arch, in a vertical line ?

quick measurement gives me 340mm

Neil

 

[rjwooll]

As I can't see the gap between the tyre and the top of the wheelarch, it's difficult to comment but if this is less than it should be then it could well be collapsed or deteriorated upper spring seats. Under normal load, the spring length should measure 280mm +/- 3mm according to the workshop manual.

I did a test at Lotusbits on some old Elite springs a while ago and, despite being very rusty, they were still up to the original spec, so it may not be your springs.

Cheers Richard

[esprit s2]

12 hours ago, Neil D. said:

Distance between wheel centre and wheel arch, in a vertical line ?

quick measurement gives me 340mm

Neil

 

320 I have both sides. I can’t fit my fingers between the tyre and the wheel arch at the front when the wheels are dead straight. 

[SimonOmeara]

Turns out the wheels are close to front of wheel arch, mine are . Do they catch on the inside front when you turn the wheel or reverse ?

 

[esprit s2]

Not that I’ve noticed. I’ll have to get the wife to look as I turn or reverse. 

[SimonOmeara]

Ok while your there check are the rear wheels in the middle of the arches?

You can move the front wheels back as well if need be.