Lotus Elan

Glove box lock removal tool

PostPost by: Barney » Sun Feb 04, 2024 1:58 pm

Can somebody advise of a tool to unscrew the ring that secures the glove box lock on my Elan S2?

I have tried to insert 2 x twist drills and then use pliers end on to apply a torque to them but
    a) drills are slightly too small
    b) the holes are shallow,
    c) holes are possibly damaged
    as a result of all three the drills just rotate out when a bit of force is applied. (I also run out of hands!)

Being chrome, I don't want to grip the outside for fear of damaging it.

The outside diameter is 15/16"

Thanks in advance,
Steve
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PostPost by: Emma-Knight » Sun Feb 04, 2024 4:49 pm

Just insert a small pin or allen key in the ring to fix it and start wiggeling the lock housing from the inside of the glovebox lid.
As soon it comes loose, you can easily turn the ring off
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PostPost by: Barney » Sun Feb 04, 2024 5:08 pm

Emma-Knight wrote:Just insert a small pin or allen key in the ring to fix it and start wiggeling the lock housing from the inside of the glovebox lid.
As soon it comes loose, you can easily turn the ring off
Anna

Thanks Anna, but I've been trying exactly that for at least 4 hours or so :( Its almost as if the thread has had Loctite applied!
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PostPost by: Emma-Knight » Sun Feb 04, 2024 6:13 pm

Sorry, I misses that.
Maybe a heated piece of tube placed on that ring to expand. (And save the wood) Then try again.
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PostPost by: Barney » Sun Feb 04, 2024 6:51 pm

I will try again, but with Allen Keys, I should be able to get a tighter fit --- perhaps!
I will stand a better chance if the pins are tight in the holes.

I am beginning to get a sense of 'deja vu' that many years ago I struggled with exactly the same problem. However, my memory doesnt tell me if, or how, I managed it before!
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PostPost by: elanfan1 » Mon Feb 05, 2024 7:10 am

Have you got a cheap pair of circliip pliers you could sacrifice? Heat the end up and bend the ends to face each other. That should be the tool for the job
Steve

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PostPost by: Barney » Mon Feb 05, 2024 10:06 pm

elanfan1 wrote:Have you got a cheap pair of circliip pliers you could sacrifice? Heat the end up and bend the ends to face each other. That should be the tool for the job

Thanks Steve,
I'm awaiting delivery of some 3/32" dowel pins 3/8" long. These should fit the holes and allow me to use a 1" internal Ø pipe with 180° slots cut into the end face to engage the pins. Then use a Mole/Vise grips or a Stilson/Pipe wrench on the pipe.

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PostPost by: Barney » Wed Feb 07, 2024 4:48 pm

Barney wrote:I'm awaiting delivery of some 3/32" dowel pins 3/8" long. These should fit the holes and allow me to use a 1" internal Ø pipe with 180° slots cut into the end face to engage the pins. Then use a Mole/Vise grips or a Stilson/Pipe wrench on the pipe.


The dowel pins arrived - AND THEY DON'T FIT !!! :? :roll: The holes are just smaller than 3/32" :!: :!: :!:
Back to the drawing board . . .
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PostPost by: Barney » Wed Feb 07, 2024 5:00 pm

Anybody want some 3/32" x 3/8" Dowel Pins? :lol: :lol: :lol: :roll:
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PostPost by: rgh0 » Wed Feb 07, 2024 7:11 pm

time to pull out the grinder and make them little smaller :)
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PostPost by: Barney » Thu Feb 08, 2024 6:55 pm

rgh0 wrote:time to pull out the grinder and make them little smaller :)


They are a bit small for that!
A friend in our club believes he has the solution, however.
The Saturday lunchtime club meet will be the time to find out!
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