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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?

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.

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?

Yes but not impossible.

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!

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.

Use EN 24T and do it to last

is that as strong as dried out wheetabix?

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

anyone able to make these for me?

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

Pandora wrote: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?

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!

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