5 Speed box: Replacing the seals
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2019 6:06 pm
HI all
Quick report on today's fun & games with the 5 speed box, with the objective of replacing the front and rear oil seals. I followed the procedure in the workshop manual, which meant removing the output shaft and casing for the rear seal, but the front seal was easier - you just unbolt the cover and replace the seal. There's a load of guff in the manual about choosing the right spacer for a 10 thou gap as the cover bears down on it and it in turn holds the input shaft bearing down, but I thought I'd just go with what I have. Risky, I know.
Both covers need to be refitted with new gaskets smeared with Wellseal (an ancient and holy rite for Lotus owners, accompanied by a muttered prayer to the Lotus gods). Wellseal is odd stuff. Sold in toothpaste tubes yet runs like snot and sticks like snot. Fortunately I'd already made the rookie Wellseal mistakes while working on the differential pinion, so knew what to expect.
Every bolt needs to be smeared with RTV sealant ("instant gasket") or they'll leak oil. Which I am trying to solve with this effort.
Sorry I didn't take more pictures. Of note is the circlip behind the output shaft bearing, which must be removed in order to remove the pinion for access to the rear oil seal. It's deep in the casing and a bit of a bugger to reach with stubby circlip pliers. But I managed it after five or six frustrating attempts. The clutch actuating mechanism with its fiddly little springs is easy to pre-assemble on the bench, with reference to the manual which shows the correct orientation for the springs that go either side of the release bearing. It's been described as a lash up but I think it's quite clever and - on my car at least - in pretty good shape considering the age of the thing.
Now the box is back together waiting to be refitted. All the Wellseal is glistening at the joints and I think perhaps the Lotus gods verily do smile down upon me. Ahem! Maybe... But you all know what my luck is like!
Quick report on today's fun & games with the 5 speed box, with the objective of replacing the front and rear oil seals. I followed the procedure in the workshop manual, which meant removing the output shaft and casing for the rear seal, but the front seal was easier - you just unbolt the cover and replace the seal. There's a load of guff in the manual about choosing the right spacer for a 10 thou gap as the cover bears down on it and it in turn holds the input shaft bearing down, but I thought I'd just go with what I have. Risky, I know.
Both covers need to be refitted with new gaskets smeared with Wellseal (an ancient and holy rite for Lotus owners, accompanied by a muttered prayer to the Lotus gods). Wellseal is odd stuff. Sold in toothpaste tubes yet runs like snot and sticks like snot. Fortunately I'd already made the rookie Wellseal mistakes while working on the differential pinion, so knew what to expect.
Every bolt needs to be smeared with RTV sealant ("instant gasket") or they'll leak oil. Which I am trying to solve with this effort.
Sorry I didn't take more pictures. Of note is the circlip behind the output shaft bearing, which must be removed in order to remove the pinion for access to the rear oil seal. It's deep in the casing and a bit of a bugger to reach with stubby circlip pliers. But I managed it after five or six frustrating attempts. The clutch actuating mechanism with its fiddly little springs is easy to pre-assemble on the bench, with reference to the manual which shows the correct orientation for the springs that go either side of the release bearing. It's been described as a lash up but I think it's quite clever and - on my car at least - in pretty good shape considering the age of the thing.
Now the box is back together waiting to be refitted. All the Wellseal is glistening at the joints and I think perhaps the Lotus gods verily do smile down upon me. Ahem! Maybe... But you all know what my luck is like!