Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Does anyone know of a supplier who sells all the bolts required for a complete chassis change? Years ago when i rebuilt my S4 I got a package with everything all bagged and labelled: body to chassis, all suspension fittings and even handbrake tree pivot bolt.

Now I cannot find anyone listing the same package. Plenty of bolts in big packs but often they look to be fully threaded instead of being part threaded, part plain shank which is key for strength.

Any thoughts please? many thanks

I bought a set of Body to Chassis bolts from Sue in 2016, cost GBP10.50.

Did not include "all suspension fittings and even handbrake tree pivot bolt."

If Sue has what you need, great. If not you could try Spyder. They supply a similar fastener array with their chassis.

LOTUS ELAN & +2 BOLT KITS

Body to Chassis
Elan & +2
01BK001
£29.90 Per Car Set

http://www.spydercars.co.uk/lotus-elan- ... -spindles/

HTH

Stu

Thanks Stu.

Wonder what made you think of that Andrew... I could try the guy who supplied my Elise set and see if he does the same for proper Lotus'. I might need a set too
Cheers
Rob

Must have been some discussion I had with someone!

Suspension bolts supplied by Spyder have correct length shoulder but they get this by cutting down longer bolts, not sure if this will be the case with body bolts. Many of the original bolts used were purpose made not just size but in tensile strength.
May be of interest, shouldered bolt have 1 inch of thread so a 3 inch bolt will have 2 inch of shoulder. 2 inch bolt will have equal shoulder and thread.

Just to add a clarification to this discussion, the length of the threaded part of an imperial bolt such as UNF & UNC is defined as; 2 x the bolt diameter + 1/4" in BS1768.
For example for a 3/8" UNF bolt, the threaded length would be 2 x 3/8" + 1/4" = 1".
But a smaller bolt such as 1/4" diameter would be threaded for 3/4" only.
As the bolts reach about 3" long I think, this rule changes to increase the threaded length.
If you are struggling to find a suitable diameter/shank length/threaded length combination, try 'AN' type bolts available in a huge range in UNF threads. Trident Racing at Silverstone stock and supply without minimum quantities and they are stronger as well.
I used AN bolts for the special propshaft/flange bolts where it is crucial to have the plain shank within both flanges ie threaded section not in shear.
Apologies for the subject creep but it is important the use the correct bolts in loaded situations
Gary

Thanks for the further info and contacts

Did you know that all the body bolts and all standard (i.e. not high tensile) bolts used in the suspension have their own Lotus part number from which you can work out the dimensions?

Matt Elan wrote:Did you know that all the body bolts and all standard (i.e. not high tensile) bolts used in the suspension have their own Lotus part number from which you can work out the dimensions?

Do you know how?

I do hope you’re going to share this nugget!

It’s in the parts manual isn’t it? There’s a formula/description of how to decipher near the front.

To reply to The Veg - I do. Well almost. Each nut or bolt or screw etc has an 8 letter / figures part number such as:
'XUFB 9999'

The code is deciphered using page 9 of the Elan or Plus 2 Parts manual - Hopefully Reproduced below:



Now if we have part number XUFB 0724 this is a: Hexagon head (X) UNF thread (UF), Bolt (B) which is 7/16 diameter (07), and 24/16 in length.

Thanks Matt. I had no idea that that was in the manual.