Parts manual - deciphering the hardware codes

[RichardS]

I'm not sure if I am reading the hardware code in the parts manual properly so advice welcome.

I'm after the bolts for the handbrake rods to rear caliper and also the rear light mounts.

The pats manual states that the last pairs of digits indicate "diameter in 16ths inch or millimetres".

The rear lamp to body screw is listed as XUFB 0308 ie hex head, UNF bolt. I'm translating the diameter as 03/16 and the length as 08/16 [or 1/2"] - but I don't think 3/16 is a standard UNF size so guess I am interpreting wrongly.

Similarly the bolt "adjusting rod to caliper" is XUFS 1012

I'm probably missing the obvious so please will someone enlighten me!

Richard

[CBUEB1771]

I don't think 3/16 is a standard UNF size so guess I am interpreting wrongly.

A #10 UNF is 0.1875" in diameter, or 3/16". There is also a standard BSF size of 3/16, 32 threads per inch. This is essentially the same as an UNF #10-32 excepting the included angle between threads which is 55 degrees on BSF and 60 degrees on the UNF series. I think Lotus is refering to a #10 UNF in this case. I'd worry about the difference between 55 and 60 degreees included angle on a connecting rod bolt but not on a tail light housing. I'll have to look further at the handbrake fastener.

[CBUEB1771]

Similarly the bolt "adjusting rod to caliper" is XUFS 1012

I looked at the Service Parts List again and I think you have found another of the many inconsistencies in Lotus documentation. I am 99% sure that the screw attaching the pull rod to the handbrake caliper is a #10 UNF by 3/4" long. In one case they used 03 to indicate 3/16" diameter and 10 in another to indicate a #10 UNF. Perhaps one being a bolt "XUFB" and the other a screw "XUFS" gives a hint as to the logic.

[RichardS]

Thanks Russ

I had a look at another bolt supplier and have found the 3/16 UNF bolts or set screws.

It was the adjusting rod bolt size that made me doubt myself as this code translates to a diameter of 10/16 or 5/8 and I know its not that big! 3/16 for this one sounds more like it.

Richard

[ppnelan]

I have clevis pins & R-clips to connect the ends of the handbrake rods. Someone on Ebay used to sell stainless steel ones not long ago. There's even some tiny bushes in the caliper ends, which I think may be an original fitment...

Matthew

[CBUEB1771]

I have clevis pins & R-clips to connect the ends of the handbrake rods. There's even some tiny bushes in the caliper ends, which I think may be an original fitment.

A bell rang as soon as I read this. My +2 also has the clevis pin, tiny bushing and r-clip arrangement. I hadn't looked at them for a very long time. The diameter and length of the clevis pin match the 3/16 X 3/4 dimensions of the XUFS 1012 screw in the Service Parts List.

[andyelan]

Hi Everyone

I've just stripped the back end of my Plus 2 130/5 and I've taken a nut & bolt out of the linkage on one side and a clevis pin / R clip out of the other

Andy

[bcmc33]

The clevis pins I removed from my car were ?6x20. No guarranty that they were OE fit parts.
I replaced them with M6x25 S/S screws, nuts and washers.
I did this as I could not find a S/S clevis and ?R? clip.

This change may be neater, better looking and more reliable, but it is not a one handed job to assemble and disassemble as the clevis pin system.

[gerrym]

Richard, thank you for pointing out this coding.

A quick read through the parts book indicates that "off the shelf" fasteners fit within the coding system you have described, whereas the specials (such as low head bolts for rear outer wishbones to upright) have proprietary Lotus Numbers. The Lotus numbers also reflect whether they were originally used on the baby Elan, type 36 etc, or were introduced or specific to the Plus 2, type 50. Sorry to spelling out the bl*&^&ing obvious.

As an anorak activity, it would be good to digitise the parts list (ie not scanned but converted to say Excel), correct the Lotus mistakes, update the descriptions, add notes for substitutes, updates, sourcing etc.

Regards

Gerry

[CBUEB1771]

I've just stripped the back end of my Plus 2 130/5 and I've taken a nut & bolt out of the linkage on one side and a clevis pin / R clip out of the other

Wow, maybe the change point came when your +2 was being assembled!

[mikealdren]

Gerry,
I treat the parts manual as a guide not a gospel. For example, some of the bolt sizes for the body/chassis fitting are questionable.

Mike

[garyeanderson]

I've just stripped the back end of my Plus 2 130/5 and I've taken a nut & bolt out of the linkage on one side and a clevis pin / R clip out of the other

Wow, maybe the change point came when your +2 was being assembled!

Series 1 parts manual lists the inboard end of the E brake rods as clevis pins and cotters and outboard ends as ba2 bolt and nut.

I have not seen anything but clevis pins with cotters on both ends, but the cotters never came out of the clevis pins and 10/32 bolt and nyloc seems to have replaced them on re-assembly.

[RichardS]

Thanks for all the advice - a search on Google throws up quite a few suppliers of stainless clevis pins eg http://www.boneham.co.uk/clevis-pins.htm and sounds a good idea to replace the original nut and bolt - I seem to remember it was quite fiddly to remove in situ so an R clip would be far easier.

So I wasn't being too dense about the Part Codes - obviously there are confusions for everyone - all part of the classic Lotus experience [and isn't half the fun tracking down all the little bits and pieces]!

Richard

[RichardS]

As an anorak activity, it would be good to digitise the parts list (ie not scanned but converted to say Excel), correct the Lotus mistakes, update the descriptions, add notes for substitutes, updates, sourcing etc.

Excellent idea Gerry - but I don't think I will be volunteering!

Richard

[Higs]

gerrym wrote:

As an anorak activity, it would be good to digitise the parts list (ie not scanned but converted to say Excel), correct the Lotus mistakes, update the descriptions, add notes for substitutes, updates, sourcing etc.



Excellent idea Gerry - but I don't think I will be volunteering!

Richard

Has anyone started this? I have a relatively easy way to get the Parts List into Excel which I am happy to do - then it is over to someone else.

(I started the Excel bit as I was wondering how many and what size of bolts a fairly full restoration might need. Silly I know - but a bit of a challenge)

Richard