Mystery Hole On Top Of Tunnel.....

[ajwheels]

So I removed the center console piece in order to replace the boot at the base of the shift lever, and discovered an aluminum plate which covers an opening cut into the top of the chassis, over the drive/prop shaft.....it is large enough to get one's hand in there, but not sure why access would be needed there.....perhaps help in drive/prop shaft remove/install?......any thoughts?.....

[h20hamelan]

you California people, drug stash of course. kidding

likely easier than removing starboard seat for greasing etc U joint?

[ajwheels]

you California people, drug stash of course. kidding

Hey...now I need to go out with a mirror and flashlight/torch and look for the good stuff....

[mikealdren]

Spyder Zetec cars have a handbrake fitted there, has someone tried this?

[sprintsoft]

Hi AJ,

likely it's had a different gearbox with a shift extension in there, do you have any history on the car?

Regards
Iain

[pptom]

Having spent much time under the car, trying to insert the prop into the gearbox from the diff end, I can understand why someone a bit less patient would do this.

[billwill]

duplicate message deleted

[billwill]

Probably someone who didn't know that there is a hole in the SIDE of the tunnel for reaching in to fit the gearbox end of the drive shaft into the gearbox.

You have to remove the right-hand seat to get at the side hole.

That rectangular hole has probably seriously weakened the chassis/subframe.

Having spent much time under the car, trying to insert the prop into the gearbox from the diff end, I can understand why someone a bit less patient would do this.

Ah, another one who didn't know about the side hole. ??

[pptom]

Poxy hole, if you can get your hand through it and reach the prop you can't drag it forward as it catches on the diff. If you push the prop past the diff first, it's in the tunnel too far to fit on the tailshaft. Maybe it was frustration at this, though it's pretty drastic.
In the end I think simply removing the diff braces gave me enough wiggle room, although an assistant would have been easier still.

Agree with Bill about weakening the spine though.

[ajwheels]

Hi AJ,

likely it's had a different gearbox with a shift extension in there, do you have any history on the car?

Regards
Iain

I have some parts receipts going back 2 previous owners, but no clues there.....the car has been altered in various ways over it's lifetime, so anything is possible....

[ajwheels]

Poxy hole, if you can get your hand through it and reach the prop you can't drag it forward as it catches on the diff. If you push the prop past the diff first, it's in the tunnel too far to fit on the tailshaft. Maybe it was frustration at this, though it's pretty drastic.
In the end I think simply removing the diff braces gave me enough wiggle room, although an assistant would have been easier still.

Agree with Bill about weakening the spine though.

This is what I suspect is the cause here. When I first saw the hole, my first thought was that this can't be good for chassis rigidity, my second was access to prop shaft.....

[ajwheels]

That rectangular hole has probably seriously weakened the chassis/subframe.

As much as I appreciate the whole "adding lightness" thing, this might be a bit extreme....

[billwill]

Round holes = Good, (add lightness) c.f. Aircraft wing ribs.
Rectangular holes = BAD.

The tunnel-side hole is round which prevents excess stress at the corners and (I seem to recall) the edges of the round hole in the side are 'curled' to give extra bend resistance.

I've never had any problems using the round hole in the side to insert the front splined end of the prop-shaft. Maybe there's a knack to doing it?


I would be inclined to get a rectangular steel plate welded over that rectangular hole of yours.

[ajwheels]

I would be inclined to get a rectangular steel plate welded over that rectangular hole of yours.

Yep, that's my thought too....