Lotus Elan Central

by **Paulw** » Sat 15.10.2005, 14:50

I have a bearing gone and it seems to be the bearing that suports the RH drive shaft and jackshaft connection.
I put the car on ramps and got under it, when i shook the drive shaft it had alot of play at that bearing So i want to change it as i think thats the cause on my rumblings. I did check and its NOT that the bolts holding the bearing mount are loose.
What i want to know is has any1 changed this and how easy is it once the driveshaft is removed. Also where can i get the bearing?
Thanks.[/b]

by **Candles** » Sat 15.10.2005, 16:47

Not sure about where to get the bearing, but once you've got the driveshaft off, the bearing mounting comes off the engine block with two large bolts. I've never done it but once on the bench I should imagine the bearing just presses out, perhaps with a circlip. The shaft into the gearbox just slides out, but you will lose a bit of tranny fluid.

Have you got the driveshaft off yet??

Candles.

by **Paulw** » Sat 15.10.2005, 19:39

No i havent got the driveshaft off yet i'm gonna wait till i've got the bearing, I'll ring up SJ's on monday and see if they can get me 1.

by **Candles** » Sat 15.10.2005, 20:51

Have you got an impact wrench? The hub nut is very very tight. I managed to bend a 2 foot long ratchet handle trying to turn it. An impact wrench is great as you just leave it chugging away and eventually it gives!

Once that is undone you need a big puller to press the driveshaft out of the hub, or take the entire thing apart at the ball joints. You'll have to split one anyway to get the required 'swing' to seperate the shaft from the centre bearing.

by **Exbury** » Sun 16.10.2005, 08:20

Just a suggestion. My driveshaft was also very loose (lots of play on the OS) and the bolts holding the inner bearing were loose. However it went away after 1000 miles of driving it went from some serious clunks at 30mph's to smooth as anything. Also happened to another member on here and we still do not know what caused it to start vibrating, even more what caused it to settle down. And I push the car, its not just for show as the MR2 found out to his huge embarrasment yesterday. :lol:

by **Paulw** » Sun 16.10.2005, 12:26

I've checked the bolts and theyre not loose. I've taken the other side's hub off before. So touch wood i won't have to many probs with that with a little help from my 6 foot scafold bar should loosen the bolt. Nice to hear u put a mister2 in its place its what they deserve after being named after a turd.

by **johnbenk** » Sun 16.10.2005, 15:12

An easy method of replacing this bearing rather than following the workshop instructions is as follows: this saves you from taking apart the suspension and the shims that alter the camber angles etc.

The cost of the shaft part number A100f6033f is £273 plus vat and is held on the right drive shaft with a circlip part number A100f6059H You should replace this snap ring as you have to "force" the shaft OFF the the drive shaft.

The trick here is to disconect the steering ball joint and the bottom ball joint
after removing the drive shaft nut which holds the shaft to the hub.

This then gives you play in which to dismantle the two bolts that hold the "jackshaft to the gearbox.You can prise out the jackshaft
from the drive shaft with a forked lever. You will loose a small amount of gearbox oil.

After that is a question of replacing everthing in reverse order but remember that on the right hand drive shaft the snap ring is square section rather than round.

If when replacing the shaft you MAY FIND THAT THE RIGHT HAND DRIVE SHAFT SPLINES HAVE worn. This may cause the shaft to occsilate and cause unbalance and it may be as well to replace BOTH SHAFTS. (Part number C100R0002F)

You can get an inboard KIT but you would be better replacing the whole drive shaft. These are also £273 plus vat each but you get the inner and outer bearing as the driveshaft is a complete assembly

Have short video of the process showing how it is done .e-mail if you need a copy or any help as the replacement parts were fitted by an ex-Lotus mechanic. He has also a worked out any "easy method " of replacing the "gearbox oil" using the drain plug and a "pump". This method of replacing the gearbox oil only takes 5 mins BUT YOU DO NEED
ACCESS TO A HIGH LIFT RAMP THOUGH as you force the oil back in through the drain plug under pressure as it is a "two man job" have also details of how this done.

by **Sy V** » Mon 17.10.2005, 05:36

C100R0001F - LH Driveshaft is £156.55
C100R0002F - RH Driveshaft is £157.79 both inclusive of VAT.
See: http://www.grouplotus.com/media/car/doc/jansalelist.pdf

by **johnbenk** » Mon 17.10.2005, 16:12

Parts are now no longer on sale *rotten bug******rs :twisted:

by **Exbury** » Mon 17.10.2005, 16:56

It might also be worth keeping the worn parts for the club/yourself and seeing if any driveshaft specialists can come up with a replacement design once Lotus run out or prices go back to full price. Or has this already been investigated?

by **Paulw** » Mon 17.10.2005, 17:43

I've got a spare set of drive shafts so i'm halfway there. Anybody braking an elan at the moment?? i need a jackshaft and bearing!! its a bit steep buying a new 1!!

by **johnbenk** » Mon 17.10.2005, 21:46

I have been NOW BEEN informed that the Lotus Drive Shafts MAY BE FROM A RENAULT Dont which model though

If any one has a "spare" it might be a GOOD IDEA IF THEY CAN TAKE IT TO THE PARTS DEPT to see if they can "Match" it from the Computer parts list they can "do a SEARCH" TO CHECK :idea:

by **Paulw** » Tue 18.10.2005, 08:16

I'm considering taking it out and to see what the bearing is like in it as a friend informed me of a local bearing manufacturer that can make pretty much any bearing, so if i could replace jsut the bearing it'd be worth while, never having seen the shaft out of the car i dont know how feasible this would be tho.
Also would anybody be able to ramp there car up and get under and wiggle the RH driveshaft just to see if there is play at this joint on there's?? It may just be my CV joint becoz my boot did split a while back and i dont know how long i drove without fixing it.

by **Sy V** » Tue 18.10.2005, 12:21

C100R0001F - LH Driveshaft is £156.55
C100R0002F - RH Driveshaft is £157.79 both inclusive of VAT.
See: http://www.grouplotus.com/media/car/doc/jansalelist.pdf

I just checked with the guy who manages the list at Lotus.
The sale remains extant and the drive shafts are in it.

by **johnbenk** » Tue 18.10.2005, 15:34

If you can get the car on a ramp. Grab the shaft near the gearbox end
and if you feel anymovement in the bearing end then I am afraid it is a new shaft. I have been given to understand that it is NOT POSSIBLE to have the bearing repaced due to the fact that the shaft end that goes into the gear box is fixed and you would destroy the splines trying to fit a new bearing.

by **Paulw** » Tue 18.10.2005, 16:44

I have had it up on a ramp, there was not play when i grabbed the jackshaft (The one nearest the gear box), but there was play at the driveshaft where it joined the jackshaft, but only on this side???

by **Exbury** » Tue 18.10.2005, 21:42

I had a lot of play in my shaft :shock:

but as I said, the noises went away, should have it checked out really but it is running fine.

However, a boot split is serious as you have very little time before all the grease ends up out of the CV joint and in the wheel well.

One test of a CV joint is to find a car park, turn down the music and put the car into full lock. Drive forwards on each lock, then reverse on each lock with some acceleration (you want to put the joint under stress). If you hear clicking from either CV joint the joint is probably beyond repair and in danger of destruction (think 50mph cornering and front wheel coming off).

A bearing failure is completely different noise-wise to a CV failure.

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