Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi,

I have been trying to bleed my brake system as part of my rebuild, all new lines and rebuilt master cylinder and calipers. Still got some air to get rid of but my problem is with the bleed nipples, all of which are new. Following a tip on here I left the brake pedal depressed over night and the next day each caliper had fluid dripping from them. I first thought the seals had gone but when I looked closely I realised that all four bleed nipples had leaked through the thread. After another session of bleeding I left them for a few days and on my return I had the same thing again.

I friend of mine said he has had a simlar problem and fixed it with PTFE tape, anyone on here done this before or have another solution.

Chris.

Hi Chris,
I had the same problem with new bleed nipples on my rear calipers. If you compare the old with the new you may notice that the tapers on the nipples are different (metric imperial?). That was the cause of my leak! not the actual thread.
My solution was to replace the old nipples
Regards MickG

There are also long and short body bleed nipples.........I think you need the longer one for the Elan. On some calipers the short one may bottom out on the hex before the tip reaches the seat.

You may want to consider "speed bleeders" to solve the 2 man brake bleeding job and seal the leaks at the same time. I've run them for several thousand miles with no issues.
There's a thread somewhere on the site on the specs.

I have seen the tapers worn on the nipples causing leaks. I would first try new nipples.

Jason

Not sure about late elans but the later +2's had metric front calipers; the imperial nipples will fit [loosely] but not seal well.

A plus one on the speed bleeders. They make bleeding brakes or clutch just a matter of minutes, with just one person. You do need the longer nipples. Have used them for years on various cars. One of the first thing I bought for the Elan. My wife hates the "up/down/open/closed routine. Has kept peace in the family for a long, long time.

Rob Walker
26-4889

Does anyone know the model number of Speed Bleeder used for the Elan brake calipers and clutch slave cylinder? The device looks like a great time-saver, but Lotus is not listed on their website.

I think the clutch slave is 1/4 x28 and the calipers 3/8 x36 (36mm long).

Can anyone confirm or correct?

Jason

Thanks for the replies guys, forgot to mention that my car is a +2 with the metric calipers up front.

Just checked them again and they are still leaking. The rears have the longer ones fitted, the front have the shorter ones.

Thinking about the speed bleeders, would be very useful on the clutch.

Chris.

I had them on my Honda ST1100 pan Euro... Still have the website details..

I changed the fluid annually on the bike and have changed it once on the car but I've got synth' fluid in it. Brakes and clutch..

I think I might get me some more of them thar bleed nipples

here's the company site / details... http://www.speedbleeder.com/\

Alex..

[quote] Thanks for the replies guys, forgot to mention that my car is a +2 with the metric calipers up front. [quote]

I got my front and rear brake parts straight from Sue miller so am not sure what they were. I think the rear may be 3/8?

If I get time over the next few days I will pull them out and check.

Jason

The bleeders I used are part # SB3824L. Not sure what the thread count is for the metric caliper, but speedbleeders.com/size will show their inventory.

Rob Walker
26-4889

Just checked my nipples:

Front Girling 16P calipers 3/8 UNF nipples
Rear 3/8 UNF long nipples

Moss sells the 16P nipples as 3/8 UNF http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewP ... dexID=2407[*]


The clutch is too difficult to get to

Hope this helps

Jason

prezoom wrote:The bleeders I used are part # SB3824L. Not sure what the thread count is for the metric caliper, but speedbleeders.com/size will show their inventory.

Rob Walker
26-4889

I think I used the same size as Rob on my Plus 2, although my invoice calls up SB3824SS (no "L" in the designation). Got the same size front & rear according to my invoice. Can't recall where I got the size call-up from, but these worked for me. I believe the "SS" in my p/n refers to the Speed Bleeder being in Stainless material. So I may have got the shorter one's with 3/8 x 24 threads. You can see the length spec for each p/n on the Speed Bleeder site under the 'Sizes' menu.

I was a little worried installing them. They have a coating on the threads that required a LOT of torque to install the first time. Work OK though. One of them seems to be acting up; I have just bled it by backing it out further and bleeding in the conventional manner. This thread has reminded me to replace it over the winter. Perhaps I will take a look and see if the SB3824L would be a better fit.

HTH