Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi All,
After spending all summer rebuliding the twincam and getting it running last weekend, I have yet another problem.

This is probably one for the purists, but I wondered if anyone has fitted a Lockheed remote servo to a Plus 2?
I ask because my Girling mkII B servo has begun to leak a small amount of brake fluid, enough to take a little bit of paint off the back of the unit. I was assured that when I bought the unit that it was probably the last new (not reconditioned unit) in the country. This was 13 or 14 years ago. I have looked around on line and I have been quoted ~~ 220 pounds for a recondition, half that for a service kit. Looking through the archives, there seems to be varying opinions as to the effectiveness of the rebuild kits. However, fleabay list Lockheed units for significantly less money than a Girling unit.

I was looking at the MG one on offer.

Any thoughts on this please?
Kind regards
Jeff 72+2

Hello Jeff

My previous Plus 2 had a Lockheed servo when I bought it and I replaced it with a copy from one of the MG vendors on eBay. Worked fine and was good value at around ?100.

I have a reconditioned Girling now - can't feel any difference in the pedal action.

Only thing I would say is that the Girling units are sought after - so either sell it to finance your Lockheed copy, or get it reconditioned to enhance the value of your car. I've also heard that doing it yourself is very possible - might be an idea to have a look inside before deciding. If it's full of corrosion you've reduced one of the options.

You can drive without the servo - the pedal is really heavy, of course.

@+

Vernon

P.S. 3:1 assistance

Hi Jeff

If it is original it will have a continuous band around the can joint, you can get seal kits on ebay (?25) but they do not include the piston rubber diaphragm or a clamping band as was in the original Girling kit.

See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SP2625-B-NEW- ... 0809177966

Well worth the effort at the price

Hmm good find, and he does sell a more comprehensive 2B kit, which includes the diaphragm and other hardware but not the clamp ring. Prices seem more reasonable than other sellers.

A continuous clamp ring can be re-used, once cut you can fold out the last half inch of each end, drill a hole at each end to accept a long screw and nut, and it then acts like a big hose clamp, and becomes a serviceable part for future recons.

i fitted a full repair kit on my mk2 girling and it works very well.
Please be very careful if you drive without a servo as you will have almost no brakes worth talking about

alan wrote:i fitted a full repair kit on my mk2 girling and it works very well.
Please be very careful if you drive without a servo as you will have almost no brakes worth talking about

Not true, many of us discarded the servo years ago. It takes a while to get used to applying a little more foot pressure, that's all.

However it is best to fit softer brake pads if you have no servo.

I thought only the SE's and +2's had a servo.

Can anyone recommend a rebuilder?

Bill

http://classicbrake.co.uk/
these guys have always had a good reputation.....
don't know about cost

bill,
let's just agree to differ.
imho if you discard the servo you need to change the dia of master cylinder. lotus did not fit a servo for nothing. fitting a servo = more cost and more weight.

Hi Allen,

I removed the servo and its associated brackets and tubing from my 1966 Elan S2 SE about 25 years ago, but made no other changes. Pedal effort increased, but I got used to it. Today, I would like to rebuild and refit the original servo or find a suitable replacement. Dave Bean's catalog recommends a 5-6 inch diameter vacuum canister giving a 2:1 boost for Elans and a 7 inch diameter vacuum canister giving a 3:1 boost for +2's.

Any recommendations for the 2:1 boost Elan application?

Bill

i would think 2:1 for an elan or what i have done is to fit +2 calipers(16p) and disks to my elan sprint.
very happy with this setup

alan wrote:bill,
let's just agree to differ.
imho if you discard the servo you need to change the dia of master cylinder. lotus did not fit a servo for nothing. fitting a servo = more cost and more weight.

Unless you have actually driven an Elan without servo your arguement is all theory.

I've probably done at least 130,000 miles since I took my servo out and the other Bill say he did it 25 years ago.

How much heavier is a Plus 2 than a two-seater Elan?
Plus add weight of 2 kids small enough to fit in the back seats?

Possibly what you say in the way of smaller dia Master applies to a Plus 2 but it is not essential on a 2-seater.

Hi All,
Thanks for the replies, my servo has a the continuous band. I did not need to cut it however, I just tapped it round until the cut outs lined up and then it popped apart. The diaphragm is in excellent condition, as it the plunger. I am wondering is a rebuild kit is the way to go.
As for the seal set suggested on ebay, These do not appear to have gaskets with this kit, I suspect I may have a dodgy non return valve too. So still unsure what to do.
Just so frustrating that after such a long time in the garage, (saving money for parts, the main reason), I am still no closer to getting back on the road.

Thanks again for the help.
Jeff

jeff,
i think you could just replace the seals in the cylinder and there is a non return valve in the steel vacuum line attached to the bulkhead between the servo and the inlet takeoff

Just as an aside, Sports car World, Dallas has a bag of new clamp rings Gordon Sauer