Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

A slight duplication here, but this is the video that should have been published, which actually shows a before and after of the handbrake refurb.....(Senior moment)

https://youtu.be/UdVWnRLkBok

Not critical I know but you appear to be missing the spring clip that prevents the ratchet pulling right out of the tube. Maybe you just haven't shown it ?

I don't recall finding a spring when I took it all apart. I did however find what looked to be part of a very small spring about 5mm in diameter in the footwell...not sure what that is from.

I'll have a look in the manual.

Many thanks

I don't think the manual shows any detail of the lever assembly. The clip is about 12mm x 24mm spring steel with a raised "button" that engages with the hole near the top of the outer tube.

Thanks, I'll have to have a look around. I presume it must be fixed to the inner. I also notice you don't have a heap of spacers that I seem to have ( probably not original.

The clip is not fixed to either part, just wedged between the two, which is probably why it tends to get lost. It's not critical to the function but just stops the ratchet pulling out of the tube when the cable is not connected, may also stop it rattling too.
The original mounting is a large coarse self tapper screwed down from the top into a spire nut on the bracket. Your bolt and spacer arrangement was possibly to drop the handle to make it more accessible.

oldelanman wrote:The clip is not fixed to either part, just wedged between the two, which is probably why it tends to get lost. It's not critical to the function but just stops the ratchet pulling out of the tube when the cable is not connected, may also stop it rattling too.
The original mounting is a large coarse self tapper screwed down from the top into a spire nut on the bracket. Your bolt and spacer arrangement was possibly to drop the handle to make it more accessible.

My S4 had the self tapper and spire nut but it has a set of spacers to lower the hand brake.

cheers
Rohan

As the English like using brand names for what might be a generic item...could one of you nice people tell me what a Spire nut is? I'm not familiar with the term.
Thanks for your help.
Regards,
Tim

Spire nuts are formed thin spring steel plate "nuts" designed for self tapping screws to go into. Used in a number of places on the Elan



cheers
Rohan

....and with bolts......

Here in the U.S. they are called "'Speed Nuts" or Tinnerman nuts from the name of the inventor and manufacturer.