appropriate steel bar choice

[Pandora]

I'm going to buy some 1/2" steel bar to make the top pivot pin for the 7's front suspension

it's part 22 on this exploded diagram.

http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/s2parts/c/index.htm

the top wishbone pivots on it, as well as locating the top of the coil over shock.

any thoughts on whether I need a specific grade of steel, or will 'standard' steel bar suffice?

[Ronnie]

I would think as a minimum use EN8, but be aware a lot of suspension components as supplied as OE may possibly have had heat treatment, when you purchase the material will be in its annealed state.

[Pandora]

Here's a handy link - http://www.roymech.co.uk/Useful_Tables/ ... gth_st.htm

I recon I'll need EN32, 16 or 19?

will these be hard to turn/thread?

[Ronnie]

Yes but not impossible.

[mk1]

I would certainly not consider using anything less than EN16 for that. It looks pretty stressed to me.

In my usual belt ans braces fashion I would suggest using something that is as good as possible, even if it means paying someone to turn it for you. A few quid spent now is far preferable to seeing your front suspension collapse from under you at high speed!

[Pandora]

Indeed! hence my question. better than asking 'Why did my suspension callapse?'

My lathe is a bit asthmatic, so might need to farm it out as I don't think it'd cope with anything harder than edam cheese.....

It's only a couple of bars 210mm long with a 20mm long 7/16th UNF thread on each end. Can't be all that pricey to get done.

[251 ENG]

Use EN 24T and do it to last

[Pandora]

is that as strong as dried out wheetabix?

[COOPERCO]

Another vote for EN24T, just don't weld it!!

[Pandora]

anyone able to make these for me?

[Ronnie]

Dont forget the rest of your suspension bolts will only be HT s quality bolts.

[littler]

anyone able to make these for me?

what are the dimensions?

if its within an aston db4 head stud (1/2" by 8" aprox of good qulity material,with 1" of 1/2" UNF thread one end and 1 1/2" of UNC at the other end) i could turn you a pair up. got plenty of old 6 cyl head studs about.

as has been said, en8 + will be fiiiiine , can you not buy them off the shelf?

[Pandora]

I'd been thinking they need to be 210mm long with about a 20mm long 7/16th UNF thread on each end. but if you can make something suitable out of studs you have, 1/2" UNF threads will be fine - it's a special, so I am making the wishbones etc myself anyway, so can adapt things a bit.

I can't seem to find a supplier of S4 spares, and the europa folk I tried didn't have any

in fact, it sounds like the studs you have might not even need machined- they might be perfect as they are!

[Ronnie]

Try this link>>> http://www.christopherneilparts.co.uk/lotus_part.htm