diff drive shafts

[tvacc]

If you can send me an editable copy of the side view of the frame.I will
mark where I modified it.

Now this was my car.and I was unable to get the diff out of the car..either
way. It was then that I compared the tow frames.one old and the new one and saw the difference.

Tony Vaccaro

[Elan45]

Tony,

I'm curious to see this too. I bought a galvanized frame in 1983 and
could not get the diff in. I ended up taking a little bit of aluminum
off the top of the "Lotus" rear housing with a Vixen file and it fit
fine, but it wouldn't go in w/o modifying something.

Roger

[tvacc]

Ohhhhh



You guys are going to make me look for these.heh?



I will do so tonight..I only have about 10000 old photos!



I bought my frame in 88 or so.so about the same time.

[frearther]

Only the left side worked for me. Something to do with the lack of
symmetry of the diff in plan view?


Art
26/4934

Arther H. Frederick
Initial Reaction - embroidered and decorated apparel
3869 Route 66, Chatham Centre
Valatie, NY 12184
518-392-4287
***@***.***

[saarhus]

My 66 S3 has its original frame. I have removed and replaced the diff twice, both from the left side. My frame has no indentations in it. The height (straightness) of the pan under the diff is critical. If it has been jacked from there, most likely it will be bent upwards, making the diff a very tight fit. I agree with Art's assessment; that the asymmetrical nose of the diff is what dictates that it be removed from the left.

Stan
36/5522


Only the left side worked for me. Something to do with the lack of
symmetry of the diff in plan view?

[abstamaria]

It has been a long time, but, if memory serves, Lotus ReMarque printed an
article in the late-1970s on an alternative way of removing the drive
shafts. This required long bolts threaded through the ears and bearing
against the casing. One screwed up a nut on each bolt, bearing against the
ear, which then pulled the shaft out. That was how I removed the shafts,
and they came out easily. But that was over 30 years ago and my Elan was
justeleven years old.

Good luck.

Andres
1969 S4 Manila

[lotuselan2]

Andres

Yes, this will work. I have done similar "extraction" problem. If is less
costly, if you don't have a sliding hammer. (They are not very good for
Elan bodywork! Regular hammers are better!)



Ken

'69 Lotus Elan +2 with BDR

[bill_s708800]

Jeff,

Another way is to use a length of studding thro each of the ears with a nut on the diff
side. Put some protective packing between the stud and diff housing and wind the nuts in
turn.

Bill