Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Same here Si, give us a report on the tyres ASAP.

I have the orginal Lotus alloys on the plus 2 and have had similar problems over the years getting them changed due to the very shallow well in the wheel that makes stretching the bead over the rim difficult.

I now go to just one guy who knows how to do it (but does not like it every time he has to).

Special things to be careful off are:

1. Cut the beads on old tyres when removing them makes getting them off much easier and limits potential abuse to fitting the new tyres.

2. Get the fitter to reduce the air pressure on his wheel clamping on the tyre machine. The Lotus alloy is like cheese compared to modern rims and the standard clamping force on the 3 lugs that grip the wheel combined with the loads trying to lever the tyre off can break the rim at the clamps.

3. When levering the new tyre bead over the rim get the fitter to use something to spread the load on the rim, they have a standard plastic device they can use for this but they often dont bother. Any high point load from the lever can break the rim. Also use lots and lots of lubricant to help slip the bead over the rim.

Take it to someone who specialises in racing cars or old cars as they have more sympathy for these problems than the average quick fit tyre shop. Lower profile tyres ( 70% and 60% ) harder to fit than orginal 80% profile so need more care.

Regards
Rohan

shit, glad I'm going to change to 165/80, but well scared of getting the 185/70s off!

Hi Robbie,

The best bet is to find a place like an alloy wheel refurbisher's where they take great care replacing their clients' tyres.

If you use a local place make sure they use a lot of lubrication, go slowly and choose the most experienced looking fitter (or at least steer clear of the spotty 16 year old whose hatred for his job is reflected in the reckless disregard he has for your wheels).

The Paul Matty reproduction Lotus alloys are a little different and don't have this problem.

Best wishes,

Si

Grief,

I hadn't seen these postings pop up before I posted my last reply. That sounds excellent advice Rohan, thanks.

Si

Old, old thread, but I was reviewing and noticed the question about how to tell a tyre fitter to avoid this:

Revisited the problem with my local Lotus specialist the other day and he said the tyres go on and off BACKWARDS on the Plus 2 alloys. That's the trick. Most shops won't know any better, try to force the tyres on over the front of the rims and mangle the bead. You need to put the tyres on from the BACK of the wheel with Plus 2 alloys, apparently.

Have just come back from NZ where I had to move my car to a storage facility The tyres fitted 2 years ago were not holding air so took the alloy wheels to have tubes fitted as did not have time to get wheels refurbished and aftersome intial problems the tyre fitters used the backwards method and every thing went smoothly, fortunately the Tyre guys work on a lot of classic cars so they are used to using different approches to remove and mount tyres in a non destructive way