Sudden Grinding Sound From Rear Wheel

[rgh0]

You need to get a fabric strap sling around the front cross member and out under the car as the orginal chassis had no tow loop welded to the cross member. The flatbed should then be able to winch the car using that sling and tie the car down with wheel straps.

cheers
Rohan

[RichardS]

My Elan travelled home recently on a rescue truck (mechanical fuel pump failure) and no problems with clearance. I have a tow hook on the Spyder chassis.
I agree with the theory that the spinner wasn’t tight, causing the damage. I know from previous experience! Some years ago I had only driven a short way down the road when there was a nasty noise from one of the corners. I had not located the pegs properly, and tightened the spinner not noticing the wheel was not true.
Just the short drive resulted in several pegs being pushed into the hub. Fortunately I was able to replace the pegs quite easily, and there was only minor scraping of the interior rim of my minilite.
I am now very careful when replacing a wheel to check the pegs are properly mated with the wheel.
Richard

[alan.barker]

I think i would check with a DTI that the Hub is running true. I wonder what brutal force might have been used in the past with a Puller on the Hub.
I've seen them badly bent because of wrong use of Pullers.
Alan

[joe7]

It would be helpful if you posted a picture of the rear side of the wheel. Also be aware there are 2 types of drive pegs. They are listed on RD site at Plus 2 "wheels".

[Elanman99]

I think i would check with a DTI that the Hub is running true. I wonder what brutal force might have been used in the past with a Puller on the Hub.
I've seen them badly bent because of wrong use of Pullers.
Alan

I think Tom (the OP) has already indicated that he is both not equipped with a workshop full of tools or the knowledge/ability to use them, a lot of this thread has focussed on transporting his car to a Lotus specialist.

Yes its possible the flange is distorted, but a 1001 other things might be amiss anywhere on the car (or any other car) but running with the wheel loose is unlikely to bend the flange.

Ian

[rgh0]

I agree. The car needs to go to someone knowledgeable who can look at the issue. Clearly the hub came loose, clearly the locating studs are worn, broken or pushed out from the photos.

Was stud wear or loss the cause of the hub coming loose or visa versa is nor clear. What other damage may have been done is not clear. What is the state of the other 3 hubs / wheels is not clear.

Another question I would ask is whether the steel inserts in the alloy wheels where the spinners seat are still present as these are crtical in the Lotus / GKN alloys to seat the spinner properly

cheers
Rohan

[alan.barker]

Ian,
Sorry but
I didn't say running with a loose Wheel would bend/distort the Flange.
For sure the Garage can check with a DTI as normal after such a problem.
Depends what type of Garage.
In the past these cars were everyday transport and had to be up and running for monday to go to work. Many have suffered lots of bodge jobs.
Have fun fixing them.
Alan

[JonB]

I just read this thread front to back and it’s interesting to be reminded that everyone was a noobie once, myself included. I’ve read some good advice which is a feature and credit to the forum and community. And perhaps a bit of difference of opinion, what Leslie calls “the chaff”.

But I think Tom is doing what he can, and would like to offer a bit of encouragement. And the observation I would make is that sure, there is much to discover, but applying that knowledge successfully is where the rewards are. Tom, keep at it and you will discover this.

[Lotus49]

I just read this thread front to back and it’s interesting to be reminded that everyone was a noobie once, myself included. I’ve read some good advice which is a feature and credit to the forum and community. And perhaps a bit of difference of opinion, what Leslie calls “the chaff”.

But I think Tom is doing what he can, and would like to offer a bit of encouragement. And the observation I would make is that sure, there is much to discover, but applying that knowledge successfully is where the rewards are. Tom, keep at it and you will discover this.

Thanks Jon. I appreciate the positive note. I need it these days as I've now discovered my car's engine is blowing smoke out the tail pipe. Not good. The list of things I need fixed is quite long and likely extremely expensive. That's part of owning an old car of course. I just wish I could have had a chance to drive it before the big bills hit. I have only driven it twice and now it's been parked for weeks. Anyway, I have an appointment for service in a month. We'll see how big a bill it generates.

Have a good day,

Tom

[Sadbrewer]

I just read this thread front to back and it’s interesting to be reminded that everyone was a noobie once, myself included. I’ve read some good advice which is a feature and credit to the forum and community. And perhaps a bit of difference of opinion, what Leslie calls “the chaff”.

But I think Tom is doing what he can, and would like to offer a bit of encouragement. And the observation I would make is that sure, there is much to discover, but applying that knowledge successfully is where the rewards are. Tom, keep at it and you will discover this.

Thanks Jon. I appreciate the positive note. I need it these days as I've now discovered my car's engine is blowing smoke out the tail pipe. Not good. The list of things I need fixed is quite long and likely extremely expensive. That's part of owning an old car of course. I just wish I could have had a chance to drive it before the big bills hit. I have only driven it twice and now it's been parked for weeks. Anyway, I have an appointment for service in a month. We'll see how big a bill it generates.

Have a good day,

Tom

Tom, tbh apart from the obvious cost involved, this is not necessarily terrible news if you intend to keep the car. Blowing a bit of smoke is pretty standard after many years since it's last rebuild, at least you know it's a runner.
From what I've read about the wheels it sounds as though you're suffering from the fact that the previous owner/s are bodgers without a clue of what they are doing, people like them are the biggest danger to the health and smooth running of any vehicle.. there could easily be other bodge jobs lurking. Pulling the engine out now allows you to get the valves/guides etc sorted...cam chain checked, bores/pistons, new water pump, clutch, etc etc plus all the electrical ancillaries are out and can be tested. Yes it's costly, but if you engage the services of a competent professional you have peace of mind that it's core will be sorted out for many years to come.

[The Veg]

The list of things I need fixed is quite long and likely extremely expensive. That's part of owning an old car of course. I just wish I could have had a chance to drive it before the big bills hit. I have only driven it twice and now it's been parked for weeks. Anyway, I have an appointment for service in a month. We'll see how big a bill it generates.

You'll overcome all this Tom, and it will be the best feeling when it's behind you as you press the pedal and enjoy motoring! I bought my Plus 2 in 2015, knowing that it was in rough cosmetic shape but that the engine had been recently rebuilt and that while it wasn't running at the moment, it recently had. I figured I could get it running easily and then just deal with everything else at my leisure as I enjoyed driving. Not so! The short version is that the car needed pretty much everything done- the more I dug into things, the more I found that needed attention, and I was taking my first drives only in the last couple of years. While I've made a point to avoid adding-up all I've spent on it, I have no doubt that I've spent at least as much as I paid for the car on all the parts, tools, etc. that I've put into it. Now I'm finally at the point where all the major needs have been met and it's just small projects going forward. And every time I drive it, the savouring is sweet indeed! I know this car better now than the lads who assembled it or any previous owner. I have an intimacy with it beyond any machine I've owned.

Here's a gallery of most of what I've done with it. You'll have to pardon the random order of the pictures- the site has done something to the sorting algorithm that's messed it all up.
https://vegomatic.smugmug.com/1970-Lotus-Elan-Plus-2/

Since your car came to you in much better shape overall than what mine was in when I got it, my advice is to take a deep breath, have a nice refreshing pint, and accept that sometimes we have to bite the bullet and spend some money and/or dig into some hard labour, but that it will all be worth it and down the road you'll be glad you did. Life with old cars is always an adventure!

As a restorer I watch on YouTube likes to say, get stuck in, and good luck!

[Lotus49]

The list of things I need fixed is quite long and likely extremely expensive. That's part of owning an old car of course. I just wish I could have had a chance to drive it before the big bills hit. I have only driven it twice and now it's been parked for weeks. Anyway, I have an appointment for service in a month. We'll see how big a bill it generates.

You'll overcome all this Tom, and it will be the best feeling when it's behind you as you press the pedal and enjoy motoring! I bought my Plus 2 in 2015, knowing that it was in rough cosmetic shape but that the engine had been recently rebuilt and that while it wasn't running at the moment, it recently had. I figured I could get it running easily and then just deal with everything else at my leisure as I enjoyed driving. Not so! The short version is that the car needed pretty much everything done- the more I dug into things, the more I found that needed attention, and I was taking my first drives only in the last couple of years. While I've made a point to avoid adding-up all I've spent on it, I have no doubt that I've spent at least as much as I paid for the car on all the parts, tools, etc. that I've put into it. Now I'm finally at the point where all the major needs have been met and it's just small projects going forward. And every time I drive it, the savouring is sweet indeed! I know this car better now than the lads who assembled it or any previous owner. I have an intimacy with it beyond any machine I've owned.

Here's a gallery of most of what I've done with it. You'll have to pardon the random order of the pictures- the site has done something to the sorting algorithm that's messed it all up.
https://vegomatic.smugmug.com/1970-Lotus-Elan-Plus-2/

Since your car came to you in much better shape overall than what mine was in when I got it, my advice is to take a deep breath, have a nice refreshing pint, and accept that sometimes we have to bite the bullet and spend some money and/or dig into some hard labour, but that it will all be worth it and down the road you'll be glad you did. Life with old cars is always an adventure!

As a restorer I watch on YouTube likes to say, get stuck in, and good luck!

Good Lord! The pre-restored photos in your gallery are horrifying! What an amazing job you have done. What a sense of pride it must be to bring such great cars back to life. I have no such skills and that is part of my frustration. I can see the problems but have little to no idea what it takes to make things right.

Anyway, by this time next month my car will be in the shop and the repairs will be underway. I'm in Michigan so have a limited driving season. Hopefully I can enjoy the car for a month or two before she sleeps for the winter.

Thanks for your encouraging note. I very much appreciate it.

Tom

[ill_will]

Hi Tom

Good luck sorting this out. I hope you will find some satisfaction in understanding and fixing any issues you encounter with the car, and it isn't too off-putting! Or expensive. Personally I feel it is part of the journey of owning one of these kinds of cars.

There are some really knowledgeable and helpful people on this forum and you might find someone near enough to you (where are you in Michigan?) to come and take a look and offer a second opinion in the flesh.

I would second the recommendation of getting one of the spinner tools as described in the posts above so you can use a torque wrench or at least a breaker bar on the spinners, they need to be very tight. For reference, the target torque of 200-220 ft-lb is getting on for triple the torque spec for an Elise wheel bolt at 77 ft lb (disclaimer, I didn't cross check both these figures against workshop manuals) as the large thread diameter on the spinner is a very different proposition to the smaller one on a more conventional wheel bolt. Gives some peace of mind.

Will