Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Had a good read of the workshop manual and a trip to the garage in order - looks like I can ask them to remove hub, remove driveshaft and bearings - that way we can have a good look and see if it is as simple as failure to fit circlips or otherwise something more significant..!

dunclentdr wrote:Thanks, just off now to buy some Fairy Liquid.

The driveshaft conversions are Spyder.

I think it is full removal, strip and inspection.

Paul Matty has a 6-8 week wait, any suggestions about a good garage to strip and refit the bearings anyone?

Hey I really feel for you as I remember you posting previously when you got the car.......... nice to see you are keeping a light hearted approach..................personally I would have had the shotgun out by now at the PO's door and it just goes to show if a recent MoT was supplied with the car what value they are. You really should contact the PO and see if you can find out what has been done and by who.

I am not sure you should just consider this as likely a small job to just fit new bearings either. I certainly hope though it is not a major issue requiring new hubs and shafts if they have been bodged up beyond repair.

Taking the car to a main classic Lotus dealer I suspect is going to cost you just to do the explority.......what you need is a local club member mechanic or forum member to really help in the first instance. The Midlands is well supported with Lotus Drivers Club and Club Lotus members as it was where I lived and worked. In saying that the technology here is very basic so any good local garage mechanic familiar with Lotus should be able to strip one side down for now to see what has been done. The only special tool needed is the hub removal tool and circlip pliers (if any are actually fitted) other than that standard toolbox imperial spanners a good hammer and some punches/drifts. Unfortunately you will need to remove the caliper which may mean disconnection of the fluid lines. If I were in the UK I would gladly help.

Then maybe be prepared for some large expenditure on replacement parts, and stripping some of the interior out if new hubs required. I do hope it does not become too costly and sour you to the car.

The problem really is with those that do these bodge ups, technically putting peoples lives at risk...they are the ones in Fairy Land......sorry that is why it makes me so angry when I see it.

All the best

Steve

Thanks Steve, and others for advice - car is booked into my local garage (who I trust!) next week for various rectifications and particularly for bearing removal and proper refit of replacements. I am hoping the lack of circlips is the previous poor work rather than because the hub carrier is damaged - only time and a strip will tell...

David

Thanks for all of the ideas and encouragements about the 3 problems I posted on - a Lotus classic specialist quoted 'a week in the workshop' and ?2000k to sort - thanks to the posts, ?250 to my local garage and a set of TTR hub carriers (a lot of money but very nice and new!!) we are pretty much sorted.

You will see from the photos that it is all looking good - the garage have come up with an innovative solution to brake union mounting bracket - need to find out how TTR normally resolve.

David

Hi David
So what was the bodge done to you original hub assembly to make the wheel hubs and disks fit on the shaft in the right location despite the bearings being in the wrong location ?

cheers
Rohan

Hi Rohan - the uprights were damaged on the inner edge and the circlip held in with filler, no dustcaps and plenty of noise from the bearings!

David

Brake union fix looks good, most race cars with TTR suspension setup will use braided lines so a bit more "flexibility" excuse the pun on brake line placement. ?2000 quote is madness! gives us Classic Lotus "specialists" a bad name