Who thinks Lotus should Recall the rear suspension toe-link?

[®ob]

I also suggest sending a note to Lotus as well.
http://www.grouplotus.com/contact/ge....php?section=1

[babak]

Originally Posted by Stan

These seals would not affect the inspection process or method.

But would they hinder checking the torque? I must be misunderstanding their locale and function.

[MikeAR303]

Never suggest a recall, it upsets the cheerleaders.

[Stan]

Originally Posted by babak

But would they hinder checking the torque? I must be misunderstanding their locale and function.

They would not hinder checking the torque. And they would not hinder checking for wear and play. Check out the images of the rear suspension in one of the other threads such as this one:

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23291

[mevistox5]

Can't believe you guys are asking for a recall. It's a roadgoing car and lotus states that they can understand if you take it to track occasionally (not timed runs!!). In normal circumstances problems won't happen. In the one occassion it does, I'm sure Lotus will uphold warrenty.

If you're planning to track the car more often, spend some extra dollars on getting the brace (I did).

[knucklehead]

Originally Posted by mevistox5

Can't believe you guys are asking for a recall. It's a roadgoing car and lotus states that they can understand if you take it to track occasionally (not timed runs!!). In normal circumstances problems won't happen. In the one occassion it does, I'm sure Lotus will uphold warrenty.

If you're planning to track the car more often, spend some extra dollars on getting the brace (I did).

I would agree with you had the brace that failed not had only two track days and very little miles. I don't think it's about the money for me. But a safety issue that needs to be addressed by Lotus. Lotus knowing this issue should have issued a mandatory check and procedure to all cars coming in for service (paid for by Lotus) and a mass mailing warning to all owners to the possibility of failure if not tightened.

I understand Tim's view about the negative effects of the brace and appreciate him pointing out the other side of the coin when most are reacting (with emotions at times) to the situation. Maybe the "recall" offer is giving the owners the choice and explaining the pros and cons of the brace. And if the brace is still wanted that it is offered at cost with free installation. The thinking is that the car if originally equipped would have cost this amount more. Lotus doesn't loose much money. And we as owners are offered a choice at an affordable solution.

Jacob

[MikeAR303]

Originally Posted by MyElise

.

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by MyElise

Tim - You are way off here. Neither the bolt that may break because of a loose nut nor the brace change the piece that breaks when you hit something. Attached are some photo's that show the "weak link" that helps to prevent chassis damage in an accident.

If you look at the broken link in the second photo, you will notice that the threaded part had bent prior to the break. Since the ball joint is attached at one side (single shear), a force from the tie rod link, will cause the ball joint to rotate, in turn bending the threaded part of the link. This is why single shear is not as strong as double shear.

A Heim joint is mounted in double shear, so it would not rotate (at least not as much) about it's mounting point. There would be no (or at least less) bending of the threaded portion - this would cause more of the load to be transfered to the chassis, possibly damaging the chassis.

Note also, in that photo, the tie rod link ball joint is intact - it's mounting bolt (the one the fails that passes through the a-arm bushing) is intact. The joint is twisted, but the "bold" is still securely attached to the chassis.

Additionally, it appears that the Heim joint is "sealed" (which is a good thing), but the Heim joint would have a smaller bearing surface than the ball joint, so I would still expect it to wear out sooner than a ball joint. How much sooner, I have no idea...

[Keeper]

I didn't realize the problem was occurring on mild-use cars with stock tires when I voted. This seems like a serious issue to me. I thought it was just an issue with a loose nut that we needed to check. It seems to me now that if it has come loose, it's reasonable to suspect the integrity of the link. How do I change my vote?

[Randy Chase]

Originally Posted by Keeper

I didn't realize the problem was occurring on mild-use cars with stock tires when I voted. This seems like a serious issue to me. I thought it was just an issue with a loose nut that we needed to check. It seems to me now that if it has come loose, it's reasonable to suspect the integrity of the link. How do I change my vote?

I moved your vote for you.

[R T]

I can wait till Tim's breaks .......... now that's going to be funny (unless he dies)

[ChrisH]

[QUOTE=MyElise] [http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/atta...6&d=1148492437 /QUOTE]

Well, I like a certain amount of Lotus cheeleadering. However, the one you showed is, well, ugly. Can't we find a prettier cheerleader? She/he should be in the proper Lotus chearleading outfit, of course.

[Randy Chase]

The earrings are a nice touch!

[macsuibhne]

Fortunately I have not had that part break yet, but had the two bolts that keep the hub carrier on the rear suspension completely sheer off.
Everything is still completely stock on the car and has been driven very gently...

Thankfully I was traveling at a slow speed at the time on the freeway, so damage was pretty minimal, it would have been another story if I were traveling at speed. I have over 21,000 happy miles on my Elise now, which may have something to do with not finding a similar problem on this site yet?

[Dietrich]

Originally Posted by JediMindGamez

Then you'll have people complaining that they could have made the car lighter if they didnt make a bullet proof suspension and would gladly check the suspenion every 1000 miles for the weight it saves. Next would come complains that lotus is gettin soft and losing focus of its orginal intent.

er this does not make sense at all. We all know that the issue here is the crappy heim joints. Also if they made the brace standard (I have not heard of anyone complain of adding weight from the brace) it would be bullet proof.

[Phantom Lotus]

Does the Exige S come with a brace to prevent failure?

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by Dietrich

er this does not make sense at all. We all know that the issue here is the crappy heim joints. Also if they made the brace standard (I have not heard of anyone complain of adding weight from the brace) it would be bullet proof.

Except for the problem of people having to replace the heim joint frequently...

Seriously, it's been quite a while since this problem first appeared. There have not been massive numbers of failures on cars. In fact, I have not heard of any problems for quite some time, other than those that changed to the brace complaining about the short life time of the heim joints.

As I've always said, if you are tracking your car, or have stickier than normal tires, you may need the brace. If you are using your car on the street, you probably do not need the brace and may be better off without one.

[Buz]

Out of perhaps 3000 cars sold in the US how many have failed? How many have failed on cars that were not tracked? How many have failed on cars that were tracked only with A048's? We need statistics to make an educated decision. Even Lotus might not know how many were running stickier tires if owners swapped their wheels back before the car went to the dealer.

[babak]

Originally Posted by TimMullen

As I've always said, if you are tracking your car, or have stickier than normal tires, you may need the brace. If you are using your car on the street, you probably do not need the brace and may be better off without one.

Also, LSS vs. Base suspension and tires may make a difference. Furthermore track design, not in the sense of the course, but the curbing angle makes a difference as well. Flat rumble strips don't place differential loads on the joints when apexing vs. those that are elevated like a shallow curb.

[flyguyskt]

i have scanned through these threads but haven't seen a picture of the exact culprit? what exactly are they to be torqued to? maybe someone can PM this info to me?