Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hello would appreciate some advice (and yes I did search the archives!)

What size press should I get (ie tonnes of pressure) to do jobs like pressing bushes into suspension, water pump bearing and gearbox bearings etc? Also for pressing bearings on an off Cortina half shafts (which according to manual says it should need at least 680kg)

The options are 6 tonne, 12 tonne, 20 tonne, 30 tonne and 50 tonne. Prices rise accordingly with tonnage, so i'm interested to know what the minimum tonnage press I can get away with to do the jobs described above.

Thanks

Robert

I used my 10ton press for the waterpump overhaul. That was more than adequate. For suspension bushings I would not know, but I would guess that it would do that just as easily for our little cars.

I have 10 tonne which has done everything so far pretty comfortably. I think the savings by going with anything smaller were not worth it.

One job in particular, the inboard bushes on the rear wishbones, was pretty difficult even so and I wouldn't have wanted to use something smaller. Using something that is barely up to the job just risks damaging parts or yourself.

Paddy

In the past, I've replaced them all with a metalworking vice although a press would certainly made life easier. It can be done.

Mike

I've certainly done water pump and wishbone bushes with bench vice and suitable 'adaptors' - usually sockets of the right size. On that basis a fairly modest press would be fine.
just my two penneth
Baggy

mine is a 12 ton and does suspension bushes etc no probs

regards
Mark

robertverhey wrote:. . . (which according to manual says it should need at least 680kg)

680kg is only 0.68 tonne!

Thanks, looks like 10 or 12 tonnes should do.

Yes the Cortina setting (680kg) is a minimum figure to ensure that you don't have the wrong retainer which doesn't sit tight enough around the shaft. In reality (with the right retainer) I think you need a whole lot more to press those babies on....

I just pressed (with the Honda idling) 2 Audi wheel bearings (out and in), broke the beads on several Saab tires and split 4 mixed cords of oak, maple and ash with this multi-tool:

http://www.timberwolfcorp.com/log_split ... t.asp?id=4

Almost time to put the 4 studded snows on the Elan.

Spanner

Wow, and built on a modified Elan chassis!

"In the past, I've replaced them all with a metalworking vice ".

Yep, I've done that, and have my grandfather's nice old English top quality vice in two pieces to prove it........

Ralph.

Putting the bushes in could be done with two fat steel disks and a long bolt and nut.

I broke my BIG vice too. I had an 'extension' on the handle trying to shift something when a very load bang woke me up. I had wrecked the vice.. And I have a press. I was just too lazy to set it up that day.

What a twit!

AB

I'm lucky that I have a very big strong ex-military vice, probably needed for Tank maintenance.

I just did a Google-images for [vice metalwork] and nothing came up as strong as mine.