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Re: Rotoflex "surge" - a definition?
Posted:
Sun Jun 02, 2013 5:50 pmby sutol45
"So you are still suggesting that having designed legendary rear suspension, with unique hub castings and hand made wishbones, that doughnuts were used because they were cheap..."
ABSOLUTELY, as Ron Hickman said at the time...
PS: the employment of 4 x Metalastic drive couplings aka doughnuts was NOT a stupid idea, it WAS BRILLIANT! AND cost effective! DO NOT knock the design!!! It WAS and IS BRILLIANT! But improvements have been made.
I once spent 3-weeks re-fibreglassing a boot of an S4 after one of the doughnuts had 'let go', unfortunately it was on the right hand side (of a UK car) so the fuel tank went as well: that was fun!
Oh yes, I like Metallastic drive couplings aka doughnuts, and I've done thousands of miles on 'em in both the Elan and the PLUS 2, but I do prefer a 'modern' CV joint even at the vastly increased relative cost...
Re: Rotoflex "surge" - a definition?
Posted:
Sun Jun 02, 2013 6:32 pmby AHM
Not sure which bit you are quoting, but you seem to agree that the design was foremost, rather than your earlier suggestion that they were used because they were cheap, and that cheap was the overriding criteria.
Do tell what else could they have used with that suspension set-up?
Re: Rotoflex "surge" - a definition?
Posted:
Sun Jun 02, 2013 6:58 pmby Bud English
The Ford GT 40's of the period used Metalastic drive couplings as well. I'm sure Ford in their quest to beat Ferrari wasn't just going the cheap route. They too designed them into the best suspension solution that they could come up with at that time.
Re: Rotoflex "surge" - a definition?
Posted:
Sun Jun 02, 2013 7:24 pmby Spyder fan
There's only one way to sort this out......... F I G H T ! ! !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np6gyUb0E7o
Re: Rotoflex "surge" - a definition?
Posted:
Sun Jun 02, 2013 7:46 pmby sutol45
I don't really care any more as I now run fast Audi's: it's just funny to "wind up" current owners - excuse the pun!
But it is amazing how many of the current owners are seeking an alternative to the Rotoflex coupling! I wonder why that is?
Happy days?
Re: Rotoflex "surge" - a definition?
Posted:
Sun Jun 02, 2013 8:12 pmby 45bvtc
Bud English wrote:The Ford GT 40's of the period used Metalastic drive couplings as well. I'm sure Ford in their quest to beat Ferrari wasn't just going the cheap route. They too designed them into the best suspension solution that they could come up with at that time.
But the GT40 only had to do 24 hours and have you seen the size of their bl##dy doughnuts. The Lotus 49 was the same and that only had to do 2 hours. I'd want my Elan to do more than both of 'em.
Re: Rotoflex "surge" - a definition?
Posted:
Sun Jun 02, 2013 8:18 pmby Spyder fan
sutol45 wrote:I don't really care any more as I now run fast Audi's: it's just funny to "wind up" current owners - excuse the pun!
But it is amazing how many of the current owners are seeking an alternative to the Rotoflex coupling! I wonder why that is?
Happy days?
Do you still run any Lotus? Audi's are nice, but a bit mainstream.
Re: Rotoflex "surge" - a definition?
Posted:
Sun Jun 02, 2013 10:13 pmby AHM
Spyder fan wrote:There's only one way to sort this out......... F I G H T ! ! !
naaah! That's the trouble with the internet - if we were in the pub we would have had a good chat.
I'm actually more interested in sutol45's picture. For me that really summs up the whole era. can you imagine having a new car delivered like that now....... the looks....complaints! Who would help you?
Re: Rotoflex "surge" - a definition?
Posted:
Mon Jun 03, 2013 10:20 amby bmcman.ie
sue miller has the cv d/shafts back in stock, i took delivery of a set last week, ian.
Re: Rotoflex "surge" - a definition?
Posted:
Mon Jun 03, 2013 10:54 amby sutol45
Spyder fan wrote:sutol45 wrote:I don't really care any more as I now run fast Audi's: it's just funny to "wind up" current owners - excuse the pun!
But it is amazing how many of the current owners are seeking an alternative to the Rotoflex coupling! I wonder why that is?
Happy days?
Do you still run any Lotus? Audi's are nice, but a bit mainstream.
No Spyder fan, but I am heavily involved in Elans and Europas here in the UK and in France and Germany helping others, and I still see my own cars regularly..
As for the Audis being mainstream, this one isn't
and it's so Elanish in its road manners, really:
Re: Rotoflex "surge" - a definition?
Posted:
Mon Jun 03, 2013 10:58 amby sutol45
AHM wrote:sutol45 wrote: or weren't there at the time...
Gosh no... I wasn?t born!
sutol45 wrote:I do think some commentators either have forgotten [/i][/color]
Well you can't be referring to me - I run the S3 on the original style Imp doughnuts, so my last experience was this morning.
It also requires a gentle and progressive right foot which is somewhat counterintuitive
And I'll bet you're a smooooth driver too, as ALL Elan owners eventually become: that was the wonderful thing about the Rotoflex drive, you HAD to be smooth, and eventually you were/are. A GREAT tool the Elan, just GREAT!
Sorry about the wind up guys BUT like a stick of Blackpool rock I've LOTUS stamped through me from head to toe... I just LOVE 'em!
Re: Rotoflex "surge" - a definition?
Posted:
Mon Jun 03, 2013 10:58 amby Spyder fan
Nice!
I approve of the colour as well
Can you get a fag paper in between the top of the tyres and the wheel arches?
Re: Rotoflex "surge" - a definition?
Posted:
Mon Jun 03, 2013 11:10 amby sutol45
Spyder fan wrote:Nice!
I approve of the colour as well
Can you get a fag paper in between the top of the tyres and the wheel arches?
Oh yes with a 255/30 19 (but this is now off topic):