Lotus Elan +2: rear bundy pipe configuration caliper to upri

[mcole01]

Hello members,

I realize that I should have taken many more picture during dismantling than I did.

Might anyone have a picture of the original shape/configuration of the Lotus Elan +2 metal brake pipe that goes from the caliper to the strut tower to meet the flexible hose? I have searched the Archives and the web but to no avail. I've found some pictures but they look like individual pipe bends/shapes. Clearly, this has nothing to do with the function of the brakes, but I would like to restore the car to original as far as possible.

Yes, I'm clearly anal.

Thanks,

Mike

[jono]

This might help

[Donels]

Mine are a little different.

[Elanman99]

It is a long time since I owned a plus 2 but the rear brake rigid piping and the flex setup was not as the pictures in the replies so far posted.

The OP asked for info on the original layout. I would think that the workshop manual would give better guidance.

Ian

[andyelan]

Hi Mike

I can only speak about my car which is a '73 S130/5.

Originally there's a steel plate clamped to the suspension leg with a hose clip which forms one part of a two piece splash shield which goes around the leg. This plate has a small tab which supports the brake flexible hose then the solid pipe runs from there to the caliper. I didn't bother to refit the larger piece of the splash shield but kept the the smaller piece simply to support the brake pipe. Hope the photos show what I'm talking about.

Regards
Andy

[Elanman99]

Before Lotus introduced the large (mud?) shields I think the rigid pipe to flex fitting was installed the slotted tab welded to the damper/upright tube.

Ian

[Donels]

Well if you want to be really anal you need to refer to the pages from the workshop manual. The dirt shields are fitted from chassis no. 1333, from which point they are as shown in the photo's above. Prior to that they went to the lug on the strut.

[Elanman99]

I dont think the OP is being particularly anal in wanting to restore his car to its original construction.

I am definitely not an originality freak and have many modifications to my car but I am not a fan of SS braided hoses on brake lines because of warnings about hidden salt corrosion at the end fittings. Nowadays Elans do not see much salt and with the generally much lower annual mileage this is probably not really a problem.

What I do see as a potential problem are cars with a brake hose layout that is not correctly engineered to take into account of the important rules for non-standard hose installations.

This is the sort of thing that need to be taken into account
https://aviationmiscmanuals.tpub.com/TM ... 3-2_97.htm

Ian

[Donels]

Pic from the manual showing pre and post chassis 1333 installations.

[XTi]

This is the rear offside (RH driver side) caliper as found on the car after I acquired it. I don't believe that it had been molested or modified from original as it used the original hose bracket on the strut tube. Note: The replacement Goodridge braided brake hoses fitted perfectly.

The other photo is the refurbished assembly.

[XTi]

Nearside (LH) original caliper