BIG clonk during cornering...

[Jonathan]

GT3 this time.

Bit of an odd one, if I chick this car into a corner (I'm talking wheels squeeling cornering here) and the thing hits a small bump I get an almighty clonk over the whole body it seems. Seems to be much in right corners than left.

The car really is A1 mechanically, but I'm thinking body mounts

It sounds a lot like when you turn the wheel hard and the power steering reaches the end point, the body goes clonk then as well

Steering is a little floaty but no less than any Esprit I have driven, I've always put it down to the fact I have NO front damping atm.

It doesn't sound damper related though....the noise sounds like it's coming from the body itself.

Any clues ?

It's also getting to the point now where I want to give this car a COMPLETE maintenance check to ensure everything is OK (which it should be) - geometry and so on any recomendations for this. I would take it to a dealer but I do want my money's worth and have time spent on the car instead of having it processed - do Lotus themselves provide a service like this ?

Kato ?

[Kato]

Might be the exhaust pipe touching the bodywork at the body flexes. Especially if the CAT's been removed. Hard to really check as they'll be clearance at rest.

I'm sure Motorsport at Lotus will be able to set-up the geometry for you. Although they can be a little 'slap-dash' on their Esprit work. Make sure you get the geometry read-outs before and after to make sure it's all done properly.

There's info about geometry here:

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EGuides/EM...Suspension.html

[Artie]

GT3 this time.

Bit of an odd one, if I chick this car into a corner (I'm talking wheels squeeling cornering here) and the thing hits a small bump I get an almighty clonk over the whole body it seems. Seems to be much in right corners than left.

The car really is A1 mechanically, but I'm thinking body mounts

It sounds a lot like when you turn the wheel hard and the power steering reaches the end point, the body goes clonk then as well

Steering is a little floaty but no less than any Esprit I have driven, I've always put it down to the fact I have NO front damping atm.

It doesn't sound damper related though....the noise sounds like it's coming from the body itself.

Any clues ?

It's also getting to the point now where I want to give this car a COMPLETE maintenance check to ensure everything is OK (which it should be) - geometry and so on any recomendations for this. I would take it to a dealer but I do want my money's worth and have time spent on the car instead of having it processed - do Lotus themselves provide a service like this ?

Kato ?

Jonathan,

I had this very issue before my bulkhead mounts went loose. Turned out the rear body mounts accessible in the boot, one on either side next to the inside wheel arch, one of mine had come so loose the nut was gone off the bottom side! I got some new nylon locking nuts and some loctite and addressed this issue. Matter of fact I went thru the whole car and found about 60% of the body mountings loose to some extent! NOw my problem is the sunroof is squeaking something fierce! I need new front roof tongue's as the plastic coating has gone off them both! Hope you find your problem.

Artie

[Jonathan]

Cheers,

I know the rears are OK, I was tempted to do everything on it myself but tbh with the other niggles than need ironing (taking into account I am trying to get this car 100%, it's 90% atm) I thought of taking it right to the top and spending some money.

I'd like to take it to 1 place and have it totally looked at in depth in 1 go.

ie full check, C service, damper fitting, geometry and road test.

I thought Lotus might be the place to take it and leave it there for a week....

I could do it myself, I know where my geo stands atm (ie all over the place ahaha) but I must admit with all the probs on the GT2 project I am getting a little dis-enthused atm and I'd rather let someone doa good job on the lot.

So thats plan (A) right out the window then

[Jonathan]

BTW is there any guides about to finding all the body mounts ?

I think I'll have to lay the car up for a few weeks while I do the restoration on the front suspension anyways but it'd be nice to know.

Any torque settings as well ?

[Bibs]

Following on from Artie's advice...

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EGuides/EM...kheadPlate.html

might be worth looking at first as it's a common problem

[islandbloke]

One of my rear body mounts had gone completely - try lifting the rear wheelarch (unless you're Geoff Capes you may need a neanderthal friend!) to see if there's any play.

There IS a great guide to repairing the things here somewhere - just can't remember who did it!

[Kato]

Is this it?

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EGuides/EM...ountRepair.html