Angle drive quill size?

[JGeezer]

Finally, summer outdoor projects winding down and I can get back into the shop.

I picked up a correct angle drive with a busted quill for my '69 +2 project, and have disassembled it for a rebuild. I read that the Cortina speedo cable had the correct size quill, so I picked one up just to get the end of the quill.

It seems a little too big for the square receiver, however, won't go in. I measure about 3 mm / .119" across on the square end of the Cortina cable. Would one of you happen to have a drive handy so you can measure the correct size of the square quill?

Thanks!

[KevJ+2]

Bought the correct one from Caterham - only ?3 excellent value and fast delivery.
Kev.

[JGeezer]

Bought the correct one from Caterham - only ?3 excellent value and fast delivery.
Kev.

I'm over here in the colonies - can you give me more info, a link? Don't see a Caterham that would have classic car parts.

Thanks!

[rgh0]

The spare angle drive I have has a 3mm square quill that goes into the gearbox drive gear end ok. Not sure why your 3mm square one does not fit but are you talking about the angle drive end or the gear box end?

cheers
Rohan

[KevJ+2]

Here is the link, but I now see they are out of stock
Kev.
http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/search.p ... uery=quill

[JGeezer]

The spare angle drive I have has a 3mm square quill that goes into the gearbox drive gear end ok. Not sure why your 3mm square one does not fit but are you talking about the angle drive end or the gear box end?

cheers
Rohan

OK, what I needed to know, that quill should go into the gearbox receiver but it will not. Time to look closer at the receiver (I wish I hadn't put the drivetrain back in the chassis, it would have been a lot easier out of the car!

[JGeezer]

Here is the link, but I now see they are out of stock
Kev.
http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/search.p ... uery=quill

Thank you very much, I will definitely add them to my sources, I will be needed quite a quite a few more bits before I'm done.

[prezoom]

Pulled an angle drive off the recently purchased Elan transmission. The quill on this one measured 2.63mm.

Rob Walker
26-4889

[JGeezer]

Pulled an angle drive off the recently purchased Elan transmission. The quill on this one measured 2.63mm.

Rob Walker
26-4889

Thanks very much!

That would fit nicely - the 3mm is just too darn tight, can't quote force it in there. I guess the Cortina speedo trick was not the way to go, I'll have to keep looking for a quill source.

[rgh0]

Interesting that the size is different to mine. The 3mm one I measured from my spare 5 speed gearbox for the plus 2 so maybe there was a change at some time but I thought all the angle drives were the same. However the Cortina speedo cable originally went into the gearbox drive gear end so it should fit at 3mm also.

Potentially there were different size drive gears ends and square quills and Cortina cables ends over the years?

cheers
Rohan

[gus]

yup, had .104 in my head, and recall whittling one down that I had got somewhere, so it would appear the ford stuff is smaller than some others

[pcarew]

I realize that this is an older thread, but I may now have a similar problem going on.

My Speedo Suddenly stopped working and it is probably a good bet that it is the Quill.

Based upon earlier thread discussion, I reached out to CaterhamParts but was disappointed in their answer (see below).
I also reached out to RD Enterprises here in the US, but they just want to sell a whole new angle drive at $200

Does anyone else have any idea of sources for this part?

Here is what CaterhaParts said:

Quill - Angle Drive (square end) (71145)

Your question: Does this Quill fit the Lotus Twin Cam Angle Drive? I own a 67 Lotus Elan and the Speedo has stopped working. I'm suspecting the quill from the Angle Drive.

Answer: Afraid this is only designed for later cars with a 5 speed gearbox, sorry. Regards

[JGeezer]

Don't give up on the quill. I took mine apart and patched it up with solder. Been
fine since! (Well 500 miles)

[StressCraxx]

The quill was one of the first things I broke on my Elan. I pulled it out and took it to a speedo repair shop in Denver, CO. He drilled out the old quill and made a new one from a piece of speedo cable and his cable crimper to make the square drive. I think he charged me $25 at the time.

[pcarew]

Thank you for the replies.
They contain some good suggestions.
Paul.