Trunnions - a warning!!!

[philthehill]

I will make a qualified guess and say that the washers (or at least one) either side are shouldered and the shoulders fit into the lower arm. Remove one or both and the bottom trunnion pin will be able to be removed so allowing the trunnion pin to removed.

[alexmcguffie]

I think philthehill has it spot on. Although I'd support the lower wishbone on a jack before you tap the washers out of place.

As for standard trunnions, Lotus used a similar design for Elan's and +2s although made of bronze. Their workshop manual recommends using oil rather than grease as it doesn't dry or harden. In 35 years around Lotii I've never heard of one fail.

[philthehill]

The seals (Pt No: ACA4012) supplied nowadays are hardly fit for purpose in that they have hardly any pressure around the sealing faces where it contacts the upright/swivel and trunnion.
As I have said before in other related posts I will only buy what I can see regarding these seals.
The sealing points of contact must be firm so as not to allow any dirt/dampness into the swivel and so degrade the male and female threads. I have seen some after market ones which did not even touch the swivel. A sure sign that dirt and dampness would soon be finding its way into the trunnion threads.
A constant monitoring of the trunnion seals must be undertaken and at the first sign of a seal failure the trunnion assy MUST be stripped down/cleaned a new seal fitted and fresh LM grease injected into the trunnion. Best to grease the trunnions with the load off the threads.
Unless the dirt and dampness is kept out in the first place no matter how regular you grease the trunnion it will wear.
Thankfully I have several original MOWOG ones hidden away in a dark corner awaiting use at some future date

[philthehill]

Re Alex's comment above regarding installing a jack.
The front suspension in the above photo is at its lowest point now and is restrained from going further by the damper/coil over unit.
Therefore the bottom trunnion pin can be knocked out without the fear of the lower wishbone suddenly going lower when the pin is removed.
It is the swivel/brake assy and hub which should be supported especially as there are no lower rebound stops fitted.
In conclusion the swivel/brake and hub assy will only fall (if not restrained) by the distance between the damper arm and the inner wing panel.
I will add - make sure that the car is well supported on axle stands and the rear wheels are chocked.
SO WATCH THOSE FINGERS

[alexmcguffie]

Fair point Phil about the bottom rubber being missing suggesting the damper is resting on its own droop stops, I didn't notice that last night