1970 elan+2 With stuck boot

[MillerSneedville at aol.c]

I recently bought a 1970 Elan +2 which had been on blocks for over 10 years.
The trunk(boot) is closed and the release handle stuck. I have drilled a hole
down and offset to the left as per shop manual . No luck! Does anybody have
a betteridea than
An axe, or chainsaw? Sure could use an idea.

Miller

[Elan45]

If all else fails, drill or drive out the pins of the boot hinges. When my +2 came over on the boat, someone broke into it by driving out one of the pins and the previous owner installed a nail in its place. I put in another proper pin after I bought it.

Roger


The trunk(boot) is closed and the release handle stuck. I have drilled a hole
down and offset to the left as per shop manual . No luck! Does anybody have
a betteridea than
An axe, or chainsaw? Sure could use an idea.

Miller

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[davidcroft]

Hi

If you do drive out the pins, the leading edge of the boot can only be
lifted by a couple of inches.

It is possible to see the release mechanism, but access is very limited
- and if you try to open the gap up too much you would probably damage
the boot lid or the rear panel holding the release mech.

I would soak the cable at the handle end in penetrating oil/WD40, and
squirt a load into the catch mechanism to see if it frees anything up.

If the handle pulls free of the end of the cable, you need to remove a
panel that faces forward inside the wheel arch (held on with some self
tapping screws and some gloop), to get to the cable.

When the handle parted company from the cable on my Plus 2, once I took
the panel off I was able to grab hold of the cable with a pare of
clamping pliers (molegrips). I gave it a tug and the boot popped open.

If you get this far, replacement cables are available from Christopher
Neils in the UK - cost about 14 UK pounds.

When I re-installed mine, I made sure I lubricated everything very
carefully before I put it back together!

Good luck


David

[B7wal]

If I remember correctly, you can remove the closing plate on the rear wheel
arch & then grab the outer/inner cable then pull. Hope this helps.

Alan W.
----- Original Message -----


Sent: 03 May 2000 22:28
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] 1970 elan+2 With stuck boot

[elanfan1]

I don't know whether the +2 is the same as an elan but couldn't you get into
the boot via the rear seats and then unbolt the boot hinges?
Alternatively it sounds like the lock mechanism has seized - if you unbolt
the boot handle will this give you access to get some lubrication into the
mechanism before trying again. if all this fails it would probably give a
less aesthetically damaging result to force your way in via the boot floor -
avoiding the petrol tank. ----- Original Message -----


Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2000 10:28 PM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] 1970 elan+2 With stuck boot

[par-olof.hakansson at gam]

David Croft wrote:


Beware of stuff from C Neil. On the cable they sold me, the handle
protruded so much that it would be impossible to close the door, had
I installed it... I ended up moving the old handle to the new cable.
I buy my stuff from Paul Matty instead.

My nightmare is what I'd do if the bonnet got stuck...

Good luck,
P-O H?kansson
http://hem.passagen.se/plus2 +2S 130/5 #73120378M


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[daves56]

In addition to everyone else's suggestions..... The boot is held in place
with a spring type mechanism which is attached to the fiberglass lid via two
bolts with 7/16" hex heads. Whenever my boot has stuck closed (and has
before) I was able to trim the rubber molding in front of the spring
mechanism (with Exacto-knife) and clear a path to these bolts. A very thin
7/16" wrench will fit between the latch mechanism and the body. Loosen the
bolts and the boot will raise until eventually the lid is open.
Or... Roger suggested removing the pins to the boot hinges. By removing
these pins you may be able to get your arm in far enough to loose these
bolts.
Don't drill more holes or decide to use a sledge hammer. Have a good sized
drink and think this through.
Good Luck,
Dave Sutcliffe
69 +2

-----Original Message-----
From: ***@***.***lto:***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2000 4:29 PM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] 1970 elan+2 With stuck boot


I recently bought a 1970 Elan +2 which had been on blocks for over 10 years.

The trunk(boot) is closed and the release handle stuck. I have drilled a
hole
down and offset to the left as per shop manual . No luck! Does anybody have

a betteridea than
An axe, or chainsaw? Sure could use an idea.

Miller

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You have a voice mail message waiting for you at iHello.com:
http://click.egroups.com/1/3555/2/_/455090/_/957389346/
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["Richard Hinds"]

Miller,
This has happened to me in the past. If the boot release cable
should snap (not quite your case, but the effects are similar) the workshop
manual recommends:-
i) remove the rear number plate
ii) from the top edge of the boot (trunk) opening, on the centreline of the
car, measure down 2.5inches. Now measure 1.75 inches in a horizontal line
from the vertical and drill a 0.1875 inch hole. On a L.H.D car, the hole
will be to the right of the centreline.
iii) Insert a thin bladed screwdriver at an angle of approx 60 degrees
through the hole, until it's end is hard against the slide flange, press
down on the boot lid (to relieve tension on the lock) and operate slide with
the screwdriver.

This used to happen to me because I could never get the latching mechanism
adjusted correctly! Either the boot "pinged" open over bumps, or the thing
wouldn't open at all!
If you do cut a hole in the rear of the car, be sure to seal it up well
afterwards, because this is a "low pressure" area, and if left unsealed,
will suck exhaust fumes into the car. Good luck.

[MillerSneedville at aol.c]

dave,
Thanks for your thoughts. I finally got the boot open with the help of a
friend. He bounced the boot lid up and down while I pulloed on the release
handle. It worked!
Any thoughts on where I might find a clutrch master cylinder? Can aaaaaaany
other clutch master cylinder be substituted? Does the slave cylinder have to
match? Help!
Miller

[MillerSneedville at aol.c]

Thanks for your words of encouragement and councel.
Miller