Rear suspension rebuild

[Barrykearley]

Ok - this is my next to do job. 

I have some rattles - that I'm sure are down to bushes being past their best.

one shocker looks like it's misted - probably completely shot no doubt.

it looks like the rear shockers are not available any more - and all I see on here is folks having shocks and springs that don't fit or cause issues. I really don't want adjustable so - just don't want to be forever fiddling or wondering if it could be set better.

are there any firms that will recondition the old shockers? 

Any tips ??

I shall be doing the seeping driveshaft seals and brake discs and pads at the same time. What's the best pads to fit?

And a nitron kit will not make it past the boss !! 

 

[Jacques]

I installed some ebc black road pads, not the terrible green stuff. Works fine and have a positive bite from cold on road driving. Not a track day pad, though.

Cheers,

Jacques.

[eeyoreish]

Beware those lower link studs if they've not been out before! 

There's a good guide on LEW if you haven't seen it already. I spent 2 weekends cutting and drilling one of mine out...

Didn't realise the shocks were NLA. I got my fronts direct from Lotus cheaper than any of the specialists (about £35 a corner). Worth checking. My rears had been changed before I got the car so luckily I didn't need those.

I'm going the 'double seal' route on my driveshafts. There's a recent thread on it here somewhere.

[Barrykearley]

Bell and colvill see them as obsolete.

sj look like they are shut for the break. 

Not looking forward to them lower link studs looks like a complete bastard - did look at them when it was on the ramp - can only see the universal esprit spanner working on that. If I have problems with it - I will take them to the engineering shop to drill out so they are not damaged 

will avoid the green stuff pads - I've only seen negative comments about them

[Barrykearley]

This company can build dampers - but need the spec to do so

http://leda.com/

anyone have the information they would need ??

Are the old units sealed or can they be rebuilt?

[eeyoreish]

Whatever you do, don't hit the studs or the cast ally hub with a hammer! The hub is obsolete so if you break off the ears you're screwed apart from getting them welded up by a specialist. 

Ian or Sparky might have some tips as I recall Ian got his studs out successfully to do his rear end rebuild.

I got mine out with a combination of cutting, (very careful) drilling and heat. Once the centre section was cut out I managed to wind out one half using several nuts on the stud and cutting more thread as I reached the end of the threaded part. The back half only came out with a puller, which I used with a short bolt pushing against the cut end of the stud to pull it out towards the back. Altogether a b*****d of a job but successful as the hub was fine. 

Replaced the stud and the split sleeve etc from SJ.

I only tackled it because I had a bent lower link. Suffice to say I didn't meddle with the other side!