Re: CV driveshaft kit conversion-Installation complete

[mjbeanie]

Well its been a fun week of rear axle refurb, trial and error, and ups and downs. (a small suspension pun..)
Here are the final pix. Tasks completed: Elantrikbits CV joint upgrade kit installed, New Spyder wishbones installed, and differential torque rod bushings and hardware replaced. Have to run a new emergency brake cable then calling this one done.. Thanks all for the comments and guidance!

[ceejay]

Hi Guys.

Just for the record, my S2 elan has GKN Lobro CV joints and boots that have covered more than 80,000KMs. How many existing elan owners will still be driving their elan after covering + 80,000kms.
The CV joints we use are genuine GKN Lobro, you can buy look alike Chinese CVs, but they are junk!

We have always stood by our product, there have been a couple of occasions where for some reason a boot has been damaged, and we've shipped replacements.... But it is highly unlikely that you will ever wear the CV joints out.

We've never had an adapter plate break... nor have any of the special custom made bolts broken, and last, but not least, no one has yet managed to the strip the splines off the intermediate shafts... We have one Australian customer with S4 elan that has 195HP BDG installed, he tells me he has dropped the clutch at 6,000RPM standing start... the axles are still doing just fine.

As for the high angle CV drive angle with no lock up... well, that's our little secret for now.

We do appreciate, and have been humbled by the incredible support from so many elan customers from every corner of the globe. This CVDS building journey all started sometime back in the mid to late 80s or early 90s, I can't remember the exact date. The man who cajoled me into building a CVDS is none other than Rohan (RGH), I'm sure Rohan would remember the day he called in on his way to the Ski fields a very long time ago, to deliver the drawings, of which the product evolved from.

To be honest, we've lost track of the number of CVDS built, but the numbers are way up there. I am also amazed at the number of elan and elan +2 restoration projects on the go here in Australia and abroad, it just goes to show the passion for classic Lotus cars lives on.
Thank you one and all.
Col.

[alan.barker]

Hi Col,
You sent CVDS to my hotel in Sydney the Amora in Dec 2023. I've just fitted them, well pleased. Looking forward to driving with them soon.
Cheers
Alan

[ceejay]

Hi Alan

Great to hear that. You will enjoy the improved driver engagement.
Col.

[alan.barker]

After torque loading capheads a little paint line. To look at when under the car lol.
Alan

[ceejay]

Absolutely nothing wrong with that, all bolts nuts under the car should have alignment indicator marks applied, then all takes is a quick visual check to see if any bolts or nuts have undone... it does happen.

[TonyA]

When my car games back from repairs to the recent rear end shunt ( re my posting) I am planning to install the Dusan Milleer ( Kelvedon supplied) CV joints which I bought some time ago..

The Lotus Elan +2 Workshop Manual says the donut bolts should be tightened to 35-40lb ft. Is this also appropriate for the CV nyloc nuts, or should they be 40-45 , which the Bible specifies for general 7/16 unf application..Tony

[alan.barker]

Hi Tony,
Kelvedon should tell you as supplier then no come back problems. Also if you should use Loctite and also Loctite Activator. The Adaptors are in Alloy so best with Activator (cap screws).
Your choice.
Alan

[alan.barker]

MM came undone !!!
Alan

[TonyA]

Ouch..! I wasn't planning to touch the Allen bolts -which I assume have been loctited and torqued at manufacture, just the six 7/16 unf nyloc nuts.

Tony

[alan.barker]

Tony,
After being told do up tight then another 1/4 turn i think i would check.
Remove 1 caphead at a time clean threads Loctite and Torque load. Then dab of paint to control if they unscrew.
Take no chances please.
Alan

[TonyA]

Does anyone have negative experience or doubts about the quality of Susan Miller(Kelvedon) CV driveshafts..?

Tony