Brake servo

[dave at tape-gallery.co.u]

At some stage I will need to replace the servo on my Plus 2.

At present I have a horrible little thing of unknown parentage - too
small, occasionally not 'assisting' as it should - and certainly not
original.

My research into replacements (from Chris Neil's and others) seems to
offer two options:

1. New Lockheed unit. Not original but easy installation. Cost 175 UK
pounds outright.
2. Recon. Girling unit. As I don't have a unit to recondition, I will
have to source one (?30 ?), and get it reconditioned - cost ?165.

Does anyone have any opinions about the relative performances or merits
of the two options?

I am not obsessive about originality, but what do you think about
fitting the 'non-original' Lockheed deal?

Inspite of my dodgy servo, I've just finished the best driving
experience of my life. A two-day 500 mile round trip to the Lotus
Festival at Castle Donington, with a loop through the Peak District
National Park.

What a car.

I'm still smiling (and my ears are still ringing, inspite of some
improvised tissue-paper ear plugs!)

As I said, what a car...


TIA

David

[BrianMartley]

Hi David,

Yes, the Donnington show was pretty good, especially if you're into the
older Lotii. We went down - first time for years and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Anyway, for my money I'd go the Lockheed route. I did on my cars, having
previously once tried to recondition an original Girling servo. Despite
careful assembly, it didn't work - I reckon the only real way to recondition
is to bore & sleeve the cylinder. Ask about the reconditioning process - if
that's done, then the Girling option is ok, the only snag then is sourcing
the exchange servo - any "outright" price ?

You often see the "new old stock" Lockheed servos at Autojumbles - usually
the big ones like Newark - usually they're a lot cheaper but no "fitting
kit", just the bare servo. But it's easy enough to make up a few brackets
and pipes and I've never seen one at ?175, usually they're around the ?100
mark (end of last year prices)

Brian