Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

while replacing bearings i've found both outer races of the front inner wheel bearings are loose in the hub. is this common? have they been spinning in here and damaging the seat area?

next question would be can i swap out my smaller spindles with the slightly larger diameter ones and everything swap over fine, except the bearings of course?

I had have the same thing happen on my Elan. i put it down to the high temperatures the front hubs reach under competition conditions leading to the hub expanding and the bearing race coming loose and then spinning and wearing the mating surface. I dont think it is common on road cars but I guess it could happen.

I did a temporary fix with loctite and by using a punch around the outside of the hub in line with where the bearing race fits while waiting for a new hub to come.

The larger diameter spindle was designed to go with the knock on hub, I have never explored the issues of whether you can fit a bolt on hub designed for the smaller spindle on them and whether suitable bearings exist.

cheers
Rohan

Hi Guys,

Just to say that I recently discovered that the stub axles are not interchangeable.

The Loctite products will give a temp fix (probably) but I have found on the many times I have used them on machinery various that it never ever was a permanent solution. In the interest of your safety I would replace the (worn) hubs.

Alex....

Same problem. Locktite bearing mount was applied 20 years ago and has held on track as well as street.

Eric
64 S1 Hart

I found my front bearings were spinning on the stub axles, so I used Loctite 'bearing fit'. OK so far as I know.
Regards
Richard