Factory Track Pack Recommended Set up

[Randy Chase]

Originally Posted by FlyLo

Does installing this bar much up the alignment on the rear? If I do this, will I need to get the car re-aligned?

Thanks.

Yes. Yes.

We put the bar on and set the rods to the same distance they were before. We had over 2" of total toe out in the rear. You will just need the rear toe aligned.

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by MyElise

So Tim, as an engineer, you don't see any material difference between the two toe link braces?

Personally, I don't need polished suspension parts any more than I need polished stainless exhaust systems.

The original brace attached to the chassis in the middle - the new ones leave that attachment off. I would think the original would be ultimately stronger, but if Lotus insists that the new one is sufficient...

As for the polished parts, etc.; I agree, I don't need that on my "hidden" parts. The way that the new brace attaches to the toe links/heim joints should be plenty strong - it would be nice if they had left the chassis bracket in the middle there though...

Originally Posted by FlyLo

Does installing this bar much up the alignment on the rear? If I do this, will I need to get the car re-aligned?

As Randy said, Yes, and yes.

To install the brace, you remove the original toe links from the track rods, and replace them with the new ones. Since these are what you use to adjust the "steering angle" of the rear suspension - the rear toe, you need to re-align the rear (at least)...

[VINSTA]

Mark,

Thanks for the info, however, my 2006 Elise Sport does not have the track pack set up. It has Ohlins with remote reservoirs in both the front and back to adjust compression damping. The rebound damping is adjusted with a collar similar to the track pack you described. So, I have two adjusters on each corner. There are no markings on any of them....just knobs to turn. The car was set up with all 8 adjustments fully counterclockwise (softest setting). I recently adjusted each knob one full turn clockwise and the result was much better handling (no wobble in hard turns on entrance ramps) with very little deterioration in ride quality. I could use some advice on the best way to set up my type of shocks....other wise it's going to be a lot of trial and error. Thanks in advance.

Lou

[JnC]

FWIW all, there was a update issued by Lotus about a month ago where the torque on the toe link lock nuts was increased from 50 to 60 Nm. (37 to 44 lb-ft.)

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by JnC

FWIW all, there was a update issued by Lotus about a month ago where the torque on the toe link lock nuts was increased from 50 to 60 Nm. (37 to 44 lb-ft.)

How and where was the update issued? This is the wrong place to post this. It should be in one of the many inner toe link failure threads. Or a new one.

[JK20]

Originally Posted by VINSTA

Mark,
I could use some advice on the best way to set up my type of shocks....other wise it's going to be a lot of trial and error. Thanks in advance.
Lou

One of the best documents I have found for setting up shocks is from Penske
http://www.penskeshocks.com/technica.htm
download the adjustable damper .pdf and read page 16,17

Then read the Ohlins .pdf of the ST44 shocks
http://www.ohlins.com/Automotive/Man...7/Default.aspx
page 6

[Lotusmotion]

No, normal ride height is 130mm and recommended track height is 120mm...as stated in the manual. My '06 Exige came delivered with Track Pack and a 130mm ride height (barely cleays my driveway) out of the box.

[VINSTA]

Originally Posted by JK20

One of the best documents I have found for setting up shocks is from Penske
http://www.penskeshocks.com/technica.htm
download the adjustable damper .pdf and read page 16,17

Then read the Ohlins .pdf of the ST44 shocks
http://www.ohlins.com/Automotive/Man...7/Default.aspx
page 6

AWESOME! Thanks so much for the links. This is exactly what I was looking for!

[JnC]

Originally Posted by Bruce

How and where was the update issued?

IIRC it was transmitted via fax to the dealership while I was in for warranty service. I suspect it should be in the form of a TSB if it wasn't already.

[JnC]

Originally Posted by MyElise

Could you post a copy of it, please.

I don't have it. Has it shown up with the other TSB's online? It should have come out about the time of the LED noise suppression harness and engine cut out bulletins.

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by JnC

I don't have it. Has it shown up with the other TSB's online? It should have come out about the time of the LED noise suppression harness and engine cut out bulletins.

Can Apogee confirm? With all the toe link hoopla it seems like we would have heard about this.

[Jack]

Originally Posted by Bruce

Can Apogee confirm? With all the toe link hoopla it seems like we would have heard about this.

He has -- I actually heard about the increased torque specs first from him.

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by Jack

He has -- I actually heard about the increased torque specs first from him.

Well thanks for telling us. Is that new spec for all the old existing toe links or did they come out with a new one made from higher strength material?

[JnC]

Originally Posted by Bruce

Well thanks for telling us. Is that new spec for all the old existing toe links or did they come out with a new one made from higher strength material?

I'm not aware of higher strength material. The tech just tightened up the existing link nuts.

One thing he did caution me about.... the Lotus lock nuts aren't intended to be removed. The hole in the nut isn't a circle, but a slight oval. If you remove it too many times, you run the risk of it not locking very well as it may become more circular with the added wear. But I suppose that's where the sector111 nord locks would come in handy.

[Jack]

Originally Posted by Bruce

Well thanks for telling us. Is that new spec for all the old existing toe links or did they come out with a new one made from higher strength material?

Same material -- new spec for the old toe link bolts.

[APOGEE]

Originally Posted by Bruce

Can Apogee confirm? With all the toe link hoopla it seems like we would have heard about this.

I posted a reply to a E.T.er on 9-14-96 post #41 #42 #43 on a thread about
rod link ends, only to counter mis-info he had given. Hope that helps.
Cheers, Don.

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by APOGEE

I posted a reply to a E.T.er on 9-14-96 post #41 #42 #43 on a thread about
rod link ends, only to counter mis-info he had given. Hope that helps.
Cheers, Don.

Ah, I found it. I don't know how I missed that. You actually posted it 4 times in a row not 3.

[APOGEE]

Originally Posted by MyElise

Use a little blue loctite and you don't have to worry about it.

In Stans voice.... Torque spec is for a clean dry thread.
Sorry I missed Lime Rock today... something came up.
Cheers, Don.

[Piasa]

Factory track specs indicate essentially zero negative camber in front. Any ideas why none specified for the front?

[Jack]

Originally Posted by Piasa

Factory track specs indicate essentially zero negative camber in front. Any ideas why none specified for the front?

Better turn-in, more responsive steering -- a little toe-out in front is even better.