Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi all,

I've just bought a '71 +2s 130 which is suffering from what I'm fairly sure is a noisy/ damaged pilot bearing. Noise occurs fairly frequently, but not all the time, when the the clutch is disengaged/ just engaging. Doesn't really happen as long as I keep the revs up as I pull away.

How serious are the risks of driving the car with this fault? Obviously I want to avoid melting the bearing completely but can't really afford to get the job done straight away.

Also, anyone got an idea of the cost of getting this job done (and ideally the name of a place that would do it) around the London area. Not really something I want to tackle myself and it sounds to me like getting the box out with the engine in should be just about possible on a lift.

Thanks,
Tom

Thats an engine out job ,and whilst it`s out there are a few more jobs that could be tackled ,water pump a must ,how old is the clutch ?,timing chain /tensioner etc .As for lotus garages I have used Morland Jones In Hammersmith West London ,with the usual disclaimer

The gearbox only comes out after or with the engine

triumphelan wrote:The gearbox only comes out after or with the engine

Thats not strictly true, I have not done it and I would'nt attempt it BUT it can be done, someone either on this forum or on the mailing list has done it and posted how they got the gearbox out without removing the engine. I have the details somewhere, it involves removing the bellhousing first.
It sounds quite difficult but if the original poster doesn't chip in I can post the details if anyone is interested.
Just to add, it was on the small Elan so it my not be applicible to five speed gearboxes.

Many thanks guys,

Should have mentioned that it's the 4 speed version. Having been a mechanic myself a while back I find all the is/ isn't an engine out job a bit strange. Many gearboxes are tricky to get out with the engine in place but as long as it's just about possible surely nobody would go through the additional effort of pulling the engine with it?

If I approach a specialist garage are they likely to insist on pulling the whole lot and charging me a fortune in labour? The engine and box were fully rebuilt not so many miles ago so as far as I know there's no benefit to having the engine out in this instance. Would probably get the clutch done, particularly as I'm starting to suspect the release bearing rather than the spigot.

Cheers,
Tom

Tom,
The gearbox fits inside the chassis and cannot be pulled out in the normal way, there just is not enough room. The reconized way of doing it is to take the engine and then the gearbox or both together but the point I was making is it can be done BUT in my opinion would take longer anyway.
Its not such a big deal to take the engine out and I would opt for this method every time.
If you are going to replace the spigot bearing which is in the end of the crankshaft it would be much easier with the engine out anyway as these can be a pain to get out.

Thanks Brian, makes sense I guess. Any idea on labour hours/ cost?

Thanks,
Tom

Sorry Tom.....no idea as I do my own
p.s. I charge ?5000 (five thousand GP's per hour if you are interested)

I removed the gearbox from a racing Elan without removing the engine once, a long time ago, in the paddock at Road Atlanta. In the pouring rain, with a river running under the car. I haven't a clue how I did it, what I mostly remember is how long it took to wash the gear oil out of my hair. Meanwhile the owner/driver was tracking down another gearbox at a junkyard somewhere.

It isn't worth it. The engine/gearbox come out easily as a unit.

Andrew,
I take my hat off to you........thats dedication, I hope the owner bought you a few beers!

Brian, if you can do it in 3 minutes we've got a deal! I'd consider tackling it myself but wthout access to a crane these days I'd rather do some overtime and pay someone else!

Cheers,
Tom

Tom,
If I did the calculations correctly thats about ?250 ........well that dosen't even cover my tea break so I think you'll have to take it to "Honest's Fred's" unless you have a diamond mine in Namibia you want to do a deal on!

Hence my concerns over how long it's likely to hold together! Unfortunately I spent all my pounds on the car.

Honest Fred's it is!

A few beers!!! A CRATE MATE!!!!!!

I had a spigot bearing break up, locked the crank to the gearbox input shaft. ...er... did it shoving the gearbox onto the engine a bit toooo roughly. In a hurry, distracted etc, all the usual lies about not concentrating. Lasted about 100 miles then WHOAH!! cant stop! Then couldn't disingage clutch to start. drove off the street on the starter... it would start but I couldn't change gear and stopping was ALL brakes 'til it stalled!

Took the engine out. I had a great deal of trouble trying to get the spigot out, it was well and truly munched, lots of tiny needle roller bearings bunched up like those Croc nut removers. Engine HAD to be out. In the end took it to a local garage who charged me ?35 and the apprentice took it out in an afternoon. Excellent, except he'd layed the motor on the front cover to whack the spigot and promptly trashed the water pump! Of course I didn't find out for another coupla hundred miles.

Engine had a good airing that year, I also learnt a lot that year too. Take your pick for the moral(s) of the story...

Thats not strictly true, I have not done it and I would'nt attempt it BUT it can be done, someone either on this forum or on the mailing list has done it and posted how they got the gearbox out without removing the engine. I have the details somewhere, it involves removing the bellhousing first.
It sounds quite difficult but if the original poster doesn't chip in I can post the details if anyone is interested.
J

That would be me....... You CAN remove the box without the motor, I have done so twice, by myself, with only a (trolley) jack for assistance.

It's not necessarily easy, but in my case, I was also repairing a spigot bearing problem, and it seemed worth a try.

I have removed engine and trans together numerous times for various reasons, but for this type of service, I found the gearbox only method to be preferable.