Front suspension - last time!

Right, I promise, last ever question re front suspension for my +2…
It’s knackered and I’m buying new parts tomorrow. I’m going with Gaz or Protech shocks (both seem well recommended so will totally depend on price).
Three questions though:

  1. I want to slighly lower the front. Is this done with choice of spring or are the shocks height adjustable? If spring, what springs do I want, where to buy them or will they come with the shocks?

  2. What is the name of the piece at the bottom of the wishbone that I am calling the “bottom swivel” - basically shaped like a t-piece/cross…? I need two of these, can I just get them from Matty or someone?

  3. I also need to replace the bushes. Are these standard dependaing on whatever shocks I go for? Just buy them from Matty?

If anyone also has any last word on either shock or the cheapest place to buy them, that’d be great to hear - I’d especially like to hear from the guys who have raved about protech. Thanks also Steve for your help re this…

Rob

  1. If you buy shocks with adjustable spring seats, ride height is set by screwing the spring seats up and down using a C-spanner.

Bear in mind that if you lower the suspension from standard Lotus settings, you will be altering the geometry (camber etc.) slightly. In an ideal world, if you have shocks with adjustable spring seats, you should get the car corner-weighted and ride heights set by a professional (ie. with access to corner weight pads), then reset the geometry. Well worth doing, as it transforms the feel of car, but costs a bit and requires fitment of adjustable wishbones.

  1. Trunnions is the word you are looking for. Yes, you can get them from Paul Matty, or any Triumph specialist or autojumble - autojumbles will usually be cheapest.

  2. Do you mean suspension bushes or shocks? The bush on the bottom eye of the shock should come pre-fitted to the shock absorber when you buy it. The rest of the suspension bushes are standard, regardless of shock absorber type, though you can choose between standard (original Lotus fitment) rubber bushes or ‘uprated’ Polybushes which give slightly sharper handling and allegedly last longer, but cost more and give a slightly harsher ride.