Suspension refurb

[B1 RMA]

I'm planning to have the suspension on my 2001 Esprit refurbished this year and I'm getting my local guy to remove the rusty suspension arms get them sand-blasted and powder coated plus I plan to buy the latest suspension/shock absorber upgrade (if Bibs can offer me a decent price) so while its in pieces I plan to refit polybushes as my RX7 was transformed once a full set was fitted.

So can anyone guide me regarding what polybush kit I should get? I'm guessing that the wheel bearings need to be looked at as well.

[Bibs]

http://www.thelotusforums.com/shop/87-poly-bushes

They're the new Lotus polybushes for the Esprit. The suspensions just gone up a couple of hundred quid too I'm afraid David.

[Trevsked]

As discussed at Newlands Corner on Sunday, I need. To refresh mine too. Let me know how you get on.

Trevor.

[B1 RMA]

I'm a bit confused about the number of polybushes required am I right in thinking I'll need every one listed? In which case it comes to an eye-watering £2378.53 with the final edition spring/shocker package!

Well Trevor I'd hazard a guess at just under £3K all in how does that sound?

Edited January 17, 2012 by B1 RMA

[Trevsked]

Enough to make your eyes water. Personally I wouldn't go with the Lotus suspension until I had looked at what else is available. I would have thought the shocks could be refurbed and your springs should be ok. I have just been looking at the Polybush site and the write up on the development sounded good and they should know what they are talking about. Not looked seriously yet so will do that in the next couple of days and see if I have changed my opinion.

Trevor.

[andydclements]

You have (not sure about part no as I'm having to guess at some descriptions)

Trailing arm pivot x2 5457 so £70.26

Top link rear X4 *

Bottom link rear x4 * 5488 with above so £183.46

Inner bottom link front x2 5454 so £98.98

Forward bottom link front x2 * 5459 so £64.86

Upper front link inners x4 5453 so £161.08

ARB to chassis x2 5456 so £24.20

ARB to lower front link x2 5455 so £176.20

* are the same bush type

5458 has me confused (unless I've made a mistake above),

[B1 RMA]

I had a good look at the units PNM had at Donnington last year and was tempted, I have to say that both Eibach and Bilstien are well known for their products but at £1500 for the set its a lot of money but having read through the available info it looks like Lotus have put a lot of work into developing them. Its a bit like the work I had to have done when I first bought the car you have to take the long view I guess. Still it'll be a cracking car for someone when I get bored with it after my usual 2 year ownership!

Andy having had another look I think I'll have to buy all polybushes on the link Bibs provided.

Edited January 17, 2012 by B1 RMA

[andydclements]

I cannot think where the other set of 4 bushes go. They claim to be Front lower, well that's a three point piece, one point is the ball joint that the upright bolts to, one point is the longish (3 inches) bushes for the pivot the final is the front bush that prevents the wheel being forces backwards in the wheel arch.

[Trevsked]

Does this clear things up?

http://www.polybush.co.uk/assets/mailshots/admin/lotus__Esprit.pdf

Trevor.

[jonwat]

I'm planning to have the suspension on my 2001 Esprit refurbished this year and I'm getting my local guy to remove the rusty suspension arms get them sand-blasted and powder coated

The front lower arm(wishbone) is galvanised & sand blasting will remove the zinc (been there, done that)

[B1 RMA]

Bibs, can you tell me if or what the full members discount is on the suspension and polybushes would be please? from what I have calculated I may need it comes to £2378.53

[Bibs]

10% off that David! Worth the £20!

[B1 RMA]

Thanks Bibs, I had a look at the other parts that were available at Donnington and I think its worth just paying that little bit more for the Lotus stuff because when you add VAT to the other prices then take into account the 10% discount on here in the greater scheme of things it seems to make sense. Next question is it all available? Same payment method as last time?

[Bibs]

Check your PMs

[B1 RMA]

You have (not sure about part no as I'm having to guess at some descriptions)

Trailing arm pivot x2 5457 so £70.26

Top link rear X4 *

Bottom link rear x4 * 5488 with above so £183.46

Inner bottom link front x2 5454 so £98.98

Forward bottom link front x2 * 5459 so £64.86

Upper front link inners x4 5453 so £161.08

ARB to chassis x2 5456 so £24.20

ARB to lower front link x2 5455 so £176.20

* are the same bush type

5458 has me confused (unless I've made a mistake above),

Thanks for working that out, just one question do you think this covers every polybush required?

[sailorbob]

You need to check your chassis number to see whether you need LOTAC05459 (pre V8 chassis W5517) or LOTAC05458 (from V8 chassis W5517) for the front lower wishbone rear bush.

[Markjayw]

I just added the Final Edition shocks and springs to my 2002 Anniversary Edition. Got JAE's last set. Jeff does not recommend the poly bushes as they can be very hard and unforgiving on suspension parts. If you are not going to track your car, the stock bushings are just fine. Jeff set me up with some new bushings in the usual places that need attention. Very reasonable.

Paid $2400 usd for the Final Edition shocks and springs, and a couple hundred for the bushings. Installation and alignment was $1500 at an independent shop.

Looking at what came off, the front shocks were gone, no oil left at 11,900 miles. Anyone looking at a pre-owned V8, I would factor in new shocks and springs regardless of mileage, unless the previous owner had them replaced. They are garbage.

[B1 RMA]

My own experience of a polybushed car is very favourable although I did use the car on trackdays I did not find any reason on day to day driving to think I shouldn't have.

[Trevsked]

I had a drive of Pilkos old GT3 last week and believe that is fitted with Polybushes. I was impressed enough to know that I'll be ordering these for my car as soon as I get around to the refurb.

Trevor.

[MikieP]

When I did mine, both JAE and my tech said the same of the polybushes - would be harder on the car itself so stayed with standard bushings. May not last as long but apparently kinder to the rest of the car. Just my 2 pence.

[andydclements]

Probably true of aftermarket ones but the Lotus ones have been designed to match the original handling characteristics, so should be no harder than original (not necessarily current formula which has changed a lot over the years to meet environmental requirements) spec.