Tips from the Workshop

[englishmaninwales]

Brian?s tip in January?s Club Lotus News Elan section (to run a 3/4? tap through the hinge to prevent the nylon pin going very tight when trying to adjust) gets a big +1 vote from me

Well timed too as I read it just before fitting the replacement hinge pins yesterday.
Malcolm

[MarkDa]

It's not a a size I have to hand!
Perhaps we can ask our suppliers to do it before they despatch.
Or possibly using a bolt in and out a few times will so the trick as well?

[Elan45]

I still say to buy a piece of 1/4 in keystock to make into a dedicated tool for turning and adjusting the hinge pins. The keystock will go into the pin farther than the 1/4 in that a 1/4 drive extension and not strip out the nylon pin.
Roger

[englishmaninwales]

Roger, I agree absolutely about the 1/4 bar, that?s what I used, inserted fully into the square recess. However, it was horribly stiff. The 3/4? UNF tap (?8.5 from eBay) cleaned up the thread nicely so the nylon pin was easy to turn for the initial installation and height adjustment of the door.
Malcolm

[MarkDa]

That's not a bad price for the ease of installation and piece of mind for future adjustment/ removal.

[Elan45]

Be careful when ordering a tap. Common thread pitches are 10 and 18 threads per inch. I think I have a pitch gauge down here in Florida and I will check it once I get out in the shop today.

I agree that running a tap through to clean the thread is a good idea, but I would think most of us Elan owners have pins already installed and to keep them from being damaged with too short an engagement, I think everyone should have a dedicated tool made from keystock. Also, before trying to turn the bottom pins, clean the swarf/ debris out w/ a small screwdriver and compressed air or shop vac.

Roger

[MarkDa]

For 3/4" pitches are 10 for unc and 16 for UNF.

[oldelanman]

Also, before trying to turn the bottom pins, clean the swarf/ debris out w/ a small screwdriver and compressed air or shop vac.

And when you're done adjusting them, embalm the hardware and plug the open end of the lock nut.

[Elan45]

16 TPI thread gauge slips right in. If I'd only completely read that the tap purchased was 3/4 UNF.

Roger

[englishmaninwales]

............I would think most of us Elan owners have pins already installed and to keep them from being damaged with too short an engagement......

Roger

Wishful thinking in a car that is 51 years old and 14 previous owners!
In addition to fixing a broken winder cable, the door had to come off to repair the worn bottom cup bobbin, and I found a pin that needed replacing(square recess ok, damaged thread). The new one was extremely tight, hence the need to clean the thread. Problem solved. The ?Tip? was perfect timing


Malcolm.