Mystery part in door

[robertverhey]

I found this loose in base of passenger door today, can anyone identify it and explain its purpose and essential-ness? Thought I'd better ask before I reassemble door. Can't find it in parts list. Thanks, robert

[lotusflasherman]

Known as the 'butterfly'. Essential to keep the glass on the carriage or glass will fall to bottom of door and smash so DON'T reassemble door without putting it back where it should go...

[dapinky]

Hi Robert,

The part you have is half (well, the big half!) of the butterfly clip, part number A100B6271S.

Basically, it holds the window glass to the slider (connecting the window to the motor).

It may have fallen off (does your window still work?), or be a part which has been replaced, but the old bit was left inside the door having fallen off.

They are no longer availlable from lotus, but are 'repairable' with a bit of ingenuity using a circlip. It's purpose is to stop the glass ratling against the slider so that the window operates smoothly.

Edit.... Beaten by Phil - it is on page 11.02 of the Parts Book, item 2 (which doesn't look much like the photo in fairness, so wouldn't be easy to identify from the book!)

[lotusflasherman]

It sits behind the hole in the bottom of the glass and should have a tag with a clip that passes under the glass and clips on the 'clamp spigot' that comes through the hole in the glass. Check whether you have a butterfly clip in place with the tag and clip on the spigot that runs in the central lifting channel. If so, that's great, and that butterfly clip can go in the bin. If not you need to refit that one and use a clevis pin or similar to keep it in place.

Service Manual Section BK pages 8 & 9 shows helpful drawings.

[Dave Eds]

Why bin it Phil if it's half of an obsolete part that can be "repaired"?

[robertverhey]

Thanks for those references, the windows work fine but I'll most certainly have a look in morning to see if a similar clip is in place.

I never throw any parts away, even keep the broken ones! You never know.....

Those doors are so complex inside! Must have been the real "short straw" job in the factory. The labour costs of assembling m100s must have been enormous. I'm used to working on original '60s Elan and late 1990s Audi doors/windows. Both comparatively simple. Interesting......

[lotusflasherman]

Why bin it Phil if it's half of an obsolete part that can be "repaired"?

I throw all my broken stuff in my bin - but it's a bit like the Windows Bin, it will still be there till I empty the bin. Pretty sure I've got some spare butterfly clips as I had one break when they were available so I ordered a few as I dislike paying more for P&P than the cost of the item(s) so increase the number. I also work on the theory that if something breaks due to age I need two as the old one on the either side will break soon. It's just finding where I put them when I need them that's the bother! (I'm still looking for where I put that Fuel Filler Cover Mr P.)

Perhaps I should have said 'can be sold on ebay to some mug for an outrageous price'

[robertverhey]

Sure enough, butterfly clip had indeed come adrift. No sign of the little c clip. So I am going to undertake what I understand to be called the "e-clip" repair.

I'm finding however that the amount of spring in the butterfly clips is making it hard to insert the post far enough to expose the circlip groove. Is there a special trick? Tempted to use some small insulated clamps, but wary of glass breakage of course.....

Later......

Okay, sorted, the clip wasn't sitting on its two pins properly. That improves the job from impossible to just fiddly!

[tweetdriver63]

Unless something has changed in the last few months, I ordered and received new ones from SJ Sportscars recently. I can't remember exactly when I ordered them, but it was this year.

[robertverhey]

Not currently listed on SJ. I checked because my other butterfly, while still in place, is missing a wing.

My local spares place gave me two options, e clip or window winder handle clip. I ended up using the latter, with a thin washer underneath. Good tight fit. Sorted (for now)