Gearbox repair in France

[MartinH]

Does anyone of have any suggestions/names for someone in France preferably in the North who knows what they are doing, to overhaul my S3 gearbox. I think I had seen something about a guy in Dieppe (would be great as only a couple of hours from me) on the forum.
I have a noise in 2nd and 3rd gear only. No noise at all in 1st and 4th. It goes between gears as smoothly as it ever did, goes in and out of reverse with no problems. Gearbox is perfect apart from the noise in 2nd and 3rd. It doesn't sound like a bearing growl more like a vibration related noise. If it is bearings it would be noisy in 1st as well as 2nd and 3rd I think ????

I have been from front to back checking

exhaust against gearbox and chassis (Spyder S/F),
diff against chassis,
I have all new diff mounts/bushes and torque rod bushes and the diff is clear of the chassis all the way round,
low mileage MM drive shafts (these needed every bolt tightened),
The gearbox mount is good,
slave cylinder properly attached
Gear lever is properly held down by the plastic cup
Engine mounts are quite new and all good and tight, engine sits level

and I can find nothing that appears to be wrong. I will take out the prop to check the UJs but I have almost convinced myself it is gearbox bearings even though the noise wasn't there before I changed the inboard drive shafts. Other options are to take it back to the UK or do it myself.
Martin

[diablo]

Hi Martin
I know a small garage ; he works and prepare Elan for racing ; it is close to Rouen .
Alain Delarche
1 Caronnerie ( not easy to find ! )
27310 La Trinit? de Thouberville
0235180695
0611800316
Hope it will help you
JCL

[alan.barker]

A friend of mine lives in normandy near Yvetot and he is very good. A very nice person and it's probably him who does the work for Delarch garage. He has been working on Lotus cars for 40+ years. Contact him and say i told you to Alan Barker here's Pierre's e-mail < [email protected]" target="_blank" >
good luck
Alan
I see you have the same reply on Club Lotus France Forum

[MartinH]

JCL, Alan

Thanks for the reccomendations

Well spotted Alan, on the CLF forum. I am arranging to go and see Pierre Bourgais tomorrow.

Regards
Martin

[alan.barker]

btw he speaks very good English but don't tell him that
Alan

[Chancer]

Is Pierre the guy in Dieppe?

If so I met him once when someone on this forum donated me his old chassis, we only spoke French but he was a very good communicator.

I dont think his shoulder will get "better" as such as they had to remove an entire muscle for him to survive his cancer, he can only lift one arm to chest height and has little strength in it, that he continues working on Elans in less than ideal conditions is an inspiration to me and shows his passion.

If he cannot help you with your gearbox then e-mail me, I have the savoir faire but all of my Tools and the proper equipped workshop is in the UK and I dont get to return very often now, that said the last box I rebuilt was for my friend here in France over 10 years ago amongst his chantier and with hardly any Tools, I am probably better equipped here now than he was then but would only really want to work on one in my UK place.

I no longer have access to or knowledge of where to go for parts so would prefer that it be done by someone in the know and current hence my not responding, however if Pierre cannot help you and there is no other experienced and trusted person in the north of France then contact me.

P.S. Please say hello/bonjour to Pierre from me!

[MartinH]

If he cannot help you with your gearbox then e-mail me, I have the savoir faire but all of my Tools and the proper equipped workshop is in the UK and I dont get to return very often now, that said the last box I rebuilt was for my friend here in France over 10 years ago amongst his chantier and with hardly any Tools, I am probably better equipped here now than he was then but would only really want to work on one in my UK place.

Chancer
This is very kind offer thanks! However Pierre Bourgais, who is based in Yvetot just north of Rouen, really knows his stuff and comes highly recommended by the Club Lotus France guys who run Elans as well as Alan Barker. I could probably do it myself but need to go back to the UK to run my business sometime soon.

Thanks to all for the help, it looks like I have a solution.

Regards
martin