Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Matt Elan wrote:So unlike the Minilites you don't need the inserts to take up any slack in the fixing system; but that was certainly a valid suggestion. Matt

Great set of photos. The Lotus alloy wheels are rare in the US and I did not realize how much deeper the casting is at the center of the wheel compared to a Minilite. It is obvious that the ring's primary function is to prevent deformation of the casting with the Lotus wheels.

we can call these rings something like an interface: the ring obvioulsy prevents/reduces the inevitable wear between ally surface and nut - THEY aren't there just to add weight fellas!!!! sandy (with steel wheels, +2 and minilites!! i guess we could even say common sense and a small amount of regular engineering knowledge!! sandy 36 4982

All of my alloys (8 or 9 - can't remember if the set in the shed was 4 or 5) need a refurb. The backs of all of them are especially bad with lots of surface corrosion and lifting paint

Its not time to do them yet, and I'll probably farm them out to a specialist.

So did you try putting it on the Lotus alloy wheels with the ring, I didn't see that in your pictures. My thought is that it would not even fit from the picture of the rings that I've seen. Gordon Sauer

Hi Gordon - the rings are actually very thin steel, basically just pressed sheet steel, and probably less than one thread pitch wide - so shouldn't be too bad! I'll dig out a wheel which has a ring and post up some more pictures, along with the number of turns needed to fit a wheel with the ring attached......