Thanx for all the helpful comments.
I’ve decided to try and duplicate the original set up as found in my 70 S2. My guess as to the key original features are the 7/16” bolt through the original 7/16” bore in the bushing and the slight compression of the bushing by the large thick washer opposite the trailing arm.
I also found the diagram below, for the Esprit, that shows a large thick washer (#41) on both sides of the bushing. A search for that bushing shows that it is the same are the Europa bushing (actually lists the Europa as a fit) and online pics seem to show that the install is the same as the Europa. I found it at
https://www.pnmparts.co.uk/esprit-s4-s4s-s300-gt3-93-99-d/lotus-radius-arm-mounts-6000 (it appears to be an exact match to the original Europa bushing). It appears that, for the Esprit, the washer is flush to the rubber of the bushing with slight compression when torqued.
The new bushing used a .5” with a steel tube that extends past the rubber. The steel tube in the original bushing ends short of the rubber, allowing compression when fully torqued (metal to metal contact).
I decided to stay with a system that provides some compression of the rubber of the bushing. That will reduce the movement in that pivot providing (hopefully) a more controlled handling experience.
Here is what I did.
• Fabricate a new bolt with a .5” diameter for the bushing, stepped down to .448” for the trailing arm (the ID dimension of my trailing arm) then stepped to .4375 (7/16) for the nylock nut. Make sure the .5” diameter portion does not extend past the bushing to avoid getting in the way of any spacer washers that may be needed to set toe-in.
• Drill out the original thick 2” washer to 9/16 to clear the central steel tube of the bushing. This allows the for .050” compression when the assembly is torqued.
• Add a large .5” washer, between the bolt head and large washer to secure the thick washer and bushing.
• Assemble as in the original.
I think the .5” bore bushings will do a better job of controlling the suspension compared to the original 7/16” bushing.
Ron