S2 Bent chassis

[white s2 0]

I have an esprit s2 with a possible chassis problem!

The drivers side rear wheel has always leaned inwards slightly (triumph spitfire style) compared to the other three wheels which are 90deg to he floor. I have always thought there was something amiss with the suspension on the drivers side.

However looking at photos of an orange s1 outside lotus factory on internet it seems that the rear wheels do seem to have a camber to them, so I had a poke around on the nearside suspension with the upright rear wheel, nothing looks wrong but I did notice that the upper tubular part of the engine cradle has a flat spot in the tubing.

I take it it should not be there?! There is no obvious body damage but Im beginning to think perhaps it has slid wide and clouted a kerb with the offside wheel and bent the chassis? Can the chassis be bent in this way? Wishbone looks okay

Any advice greatly received!!

Edited March 12, 2008 by white s2

[USAndretti42 269 2 Vehicles]

Welcome to the forum, C.

According to Lotus Esprt World, the S2 has 0 to 0.5 degrees of camber which is not a lot. I believe it is set by shims where the driveshaft is bolted to the disc. Perhaps your car has the wrong amount.

I would have thought that the lower link would fold before the chassis bent. To put the camber out, I think the gearbox would need to be twisted about a longitudunal axis.

[lotusross 0 1 Vehicles]

Check the play in the rear wheel as well, grab the wheel at the top and pull out, if you feel movement then it is probably the bearing inside the transmission, as the driveshaft also serves as the upper wishbone.

[Paul Coleman 442]

I take it it should not be there?!

Correct - it shouldn't be there! Do you have any pictures? How bad is the flat spot?

Paul.

[molemot 520 1 Vehicles]

Off topic...sorry...Jason! Lotusross! What's that V12 doing in your avatar?????!!!!

[lotusross 0 1 Vehicles]

Off topic...sorry...Jason! Lotusross! What's that V12 doing in your avatar?????!!!!

Well, I figured that my Esprit needed a V12, so I put one in. I actually wanted an old Indy Car V8 (Ford Cossie) - but the cost was out of this world.

So I put the BMW M70 V12 in it, it's not running yet, but it is 90% complete. The body is on the car, V12 attached and in the car, I am working on electrical now.

If I could figure out how to post pictures, I would.

Funny - I understand the BMW v12 fuel injection by reading wiring diagrams, and I have 90% of over 120 wires connected, but I am too stupid to shrink photo's and post them .

[markt 70 1 Vehicles]

V12 in an Esprit - You serious Jason?

Please post pics if you can I've played with those lumps before and stuck them in some replicas and are awesome motors. Really didn't think it would be possible to shoehorn one of those into the Esprit engine bay though... If you've done it, I'd appreciate sharing how???

P.S. When anyone ignorant asked what engine was in the back of my Turbo, I always told 'em a V12...

[Bibs 10,102 4 Vehicles]

Email the pics to [email protected] and I'll post them for you, or upload them to http://www.photobucket.com

I'd love to see them too

[Bibs 10,102 4 Vehicles]

[matk 17 2 Vehicles]

Bl**dy Hell! That's fantastic. I can't wait to see that go! Lovely four stud split rims on the front too, yum!

[sergeb666 1 1 Vehicles]

Did you fall and hit your head when you were young Jason? PS. are you still in line for the rear caliper rebuild kits?

Edited March 28, 2008 by serge

[lotusross 0 1 Vehicles]

Did you fall and hit your head when you were young Jason? PS. are you still in line for the rear caliper rebuild kits?

I may have hit my head once or twice. Actually, now that I think of it, I did hit my really hard in a skiing accident about 14 years ago.

Wait a minute - after that I put a V8 in my Fiero. Maybe there is a connection - hmmmmmm.

And yes, my friend, I still need that rebuild kit.