S1 Elite rear end drive overhaul

[Pete Boole]

Were the Konis on it when you bought it Andrew?

Pete

[AndrewWebber]

Yes Pete, supplied / fitted for the previous owner in 1995 by Miles Wilkins (Fibreglass Services Chichester). As you probably know they can be taken apart and serviced. There are currently two Koni approved service agents in the UK. I used IG Racing in Wellingborough. Ian is a great guy, operates from his workshop at his house and really knows dampers (he was IC dampers for Jordan F1 and has a photo in his workshop of him as a very young child in his fathers 1960's Elite), he tested them on his dyno, found them to be in good shape, adjusted them to better match each other and sourced from Koni and replaced the bottom bushes for me as Mike T said he couldn't get the bushes for them.

[Pete Boole]

Thanks Andrew - It's always good to get a firm recommendation!

Pete

[AndrewWebber]

So if shallow happiness is a beautiful back end, then true happiness is a quite one. Noise has gone, no bangs, grinds, whines or rumbles now.

[richardw]

Beautiful job Andy. Thanks for investing the time and effort in documenting the project here.

Cheers, Richard

[AndrewWebber]

I'll just add that after my run out today that for our 'grand touring' intended use of it I'm very pleased I swopped the diff from 4.1 to 3.7 as part of the build. First gear is now better (worth using), and motorway / A road cruising more relaxed. If I need occasionally to drop a cog to press on a bit more then I can and accept the compromise.
If I really want to race about I'm lucky to have the revvy +2 with its 4 speed close ratio straight cut Quaife box and also the stump pulling 'V8 Europa' on the way to being fitted with a 6 speed Audi RS6 (Getrag) transaxle to replace the broken Esprit/Citroen unit.

[Pete Boole]

Good work Andrew! Great collection of cars

Pete

[AndrewWebber]

Thanks Pete, it all started with the +2 swopped 'broken and tatty' for a nice running Capri 44 years ago. No regrets!