Front upper wishbone removal

I’m unable to remove one of the front upper wishbones (the rear one, so to speak) because the inner wheelarch gets in the way. The problem exists on both sides of the car (although more severe on the offside). I’ll try to get a photo of it tonight.

The fibreglass is shaped with a depression to give clearance to remove the wishbone, but this is about an inch too low. Does this mean that the body is sitting too low on the chassis or is this usual? With everyone doing full-blown body-off restorations perhaps it’s seldom a problem. It’s a Bourne body - did the shape in this area change at all?

At the moment if I need to replace the bush I either have to lift the body, or cut a hole in it. There is some flexibility in the panel but not enough to persuade the wishbone off without doing damage.

I’d be interested to hear if anyone else has had this problem.

Paddy

Hi Paddy

Its the same on 26/4045 and I ended up undoing the 16 body to chassis bolts and raising the body just enough to clear. Probably all S1’s and S2’s are this way. I guess its just one of those things that got over looked trying to get the Elan into production.

Gary

OK, thanks for the confirmation.

I’m thinking that bush can wait until winter :slight_smile:

Paddy

Had the same problem with my +2, I cut away a bit of the glass as I wanted easy removal for the future and not so bothered with originality, cheers, John. PS I also remember the same problem with my S4, same solution!

It was this situation that transformed a mild sprucing up into a body-off exercise. I figured, if you are going to undo everything and lift it a few inches - why stop there?