General Description; Accident Damage - Lotus Esprit Series Workshop Manual

CHASSIS
Page
A 4

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The chassis unit i s a prefabricated steel backbone type, linkin g the front and rear
suspensions and having a centre box section.
A
cross-member i s welded to the front of the chassis and this cariies the front suspen-
sion arid steering mountings. A t ttie rear of the chassis i s a welded steel framework on
which i s mounted the engine and transmission .unit and the rear suspension.

ACCIDENT DAMAGE

Damage to the chassis caused through a collision can subiect other parts of the chassis
and parts of fhe body to abnormal loads.
body failure and also incipient failure may be initiated. Incipient failure i s by far
the more dangerous, as having rio visible effect, the part may be assumed to be in
good conditiori and then fail i n future service.
If
should be carefully examined for both rnis-ali g nment and micro-cracks.
recommended that a new chassis i s fitted
badly bent or damaged.
i f
these are badly damoged.
a collision where the body sustains severe damage. Look for distortion of the chassis,
broken welds and possible shift of the body on the chassis mouritinls.
A
new chassis must be fitted when the chossis
impact or fire.
temperatures w i l l only weaken the structure.
FRONT
SUSPENSION FULCRUM
The fulcrum pins are i n fact, bolts. N e w bolts may be fitted, provided that no
excessive damage has been sustained by the chossis fulcrurn sleeves, upper wishbones
or lower links.
b i l i t y of the repairer.
assist i r i t t i e replacemehi of the fulcrum pins.
ESPRIT
04/78
This
also opplies to the upper wishbone and/,ar lower links
Do not patch, bend or stretch the chassis to effect a repair as any
Whotever repair i s carried out on the chcissis must be the responsi-
Reference should be mode to section
T h i s
increases the possibility of chassis or
i f
the front suspension fulcrum pins are
i f
the vehicle has been involved i n
severely damaged by a broadside
i s
C
I t i s