Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I have approx. 1/16 to 3/32 of an inch free play at the rod on my clutch pedal. I think that I used the old rod & replaced the new one when I rebuilt the car but cant really remember for sure. Is there any other explanation as to why I have this play? The clutch operation is fine but with the play the pedal rattles.

Could be wear in the clevis or an elongation of the hole in the pedal. I had to weld mine up and re-drill the pedal.

saildrive2001 wrote:I have approx. 1/16 to 3/32 of an inch free play at the rod on my clutch pedal. I think that I used the old rod & replaced the new one when I rebuilt the car but cant really remember for sure. Is there any other explanation as to why I have this play? The clutch operation is fine but with the play the pedal rattles.

I have fitted both my clutch and brake rods with a threaded and adjustable clevis. I can adjust free play to a minimum.

It also helps to have a removable cover on the top of the pedal box to permit access

Where did you get the adjustable clevis?

Keith, I'm pretty sure I got mine from Pegasus but now can't find it on their site. Speedway carries something
similar
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Speedway-Motor ... -1&vxp=mtr

Just cut off the clevis from the original pushrod and die cut some new threads to accept the threaded clevis.

saildrive2001 wrote:I have approx. 1/16 to 3/32 of an inch free play at the rod on my clutch pedal. I think that I used the old rod & replaced the new one when I rebuilt the car but cant really remember for sure. Is there any other explanation as to why I have this play? The clutch operation is fine but with the play the pedal rattles.

There should be a small amount of free play to ensure the pressure is off the hydraulics & you should have a light return spring from clutch pedal to pedal box to stop any rattling.

Regards, Tim

With Chris on weld up and redrill. Done mine. Bit of a faff but best pedal I have had on an Elan. Mike

Tim, I don't have a return spring & I don't see anywhere where it would attach. I am the only owner of the car & when I restored it I was careful to store any parts I took off together, so I don't believe I ever had a return spring on the clutch pedal. The workshop manual doesn't show one on the clutch pedal only the brake pedal.

Keith,
I have about the same free play as yours and I did not notice any wear when it was stripped down.
Perhaps there is nothing wrong with yours.
Mine is a RHD Series 3 and has a return spring on the clutch pedal.
There is a small hole for the spring in the pedal, just above the clevis pin, and two holes in the top bracket where the pedal assembly is fixed to the body. One for each spring.
The springs seem identical.
Hope this helps
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

Keith, here's a pic of one end of the return spring, circled in red. The other end gets hooked to a tab, of sorts.

Hi Keith,
I don't remember any Elan I've worked on not at least having the holes to attach a spring to on both pedals, even if the springs were missing. My series 4 certainly has both clutch & brake pedal return springs, as does my friends series 3. Basically as Eric describes.
There's a few pictures of them in this thread lotus-chassis-f36/pedal-box-photo-t29885.html

Regards, Tim

The S1/S2 Workshop Manual shows two springs (#70) and so does the early parts list.
The later Elan parts list only shows one spring but lists as having two.
I also have never seen an Elan with only one spring but I have never looked at a LHD car.

Thanks for all the replies, I guess I now have to source a spring which should solve my problem. I will have to do a thorough search of my old parts to see if the missing spring is there. Failing that, any help in sourcing one would be appreciated, especially if in NA.

s and j have them but sounds a bit expensive for a spring, you can probably source a spring from your local hardware store.
https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories.htm

I purchased a couple of springs from Ray at R . D. Enterprises a few years ago.