Car transport

[ESM]

Anyone got an idea how much it would cost me to get a car transported a 100 miles or so and then another transported the 100 miles back?

My blue car has suddenly developed a bad shift problem - I have to double declutch to avoid crunchy stuff in all gears, even then its hard to select and deselect and the shift doesn't feel at all clean. The problem doesn't seem to be cable related. I've examined and re-adjusted the cables, the shift doesn't feel like the cables are at fault either - there's no more play than usual - and the problem isn't reserved to fore-aft or crossgate motions. I've heard (hereand elsewhere) that a nut can come loose on the end of one of the shafts in the box - I'm hoping that's all that's wrong.

I'm not sure if I want to risk driving it too far, in case the box falls to pieces properly. I don't want to put it into the hands of a more local non-Lotus specialist garage either.

[DeeAitch]

From memory the nut - actually there are two, you can see them on page 2 of Section FF in the service notes - would only affect synchro on 5th. Is the clutch releasing OK? You can usually tell if you can get gears whilst stationary with the engine off but not when it is running.
AA / RAC are cheap

[ESM]

Well I tried getting gears engine off and got 1 to 4 no problem. Then I tried with engine on and got 1 to 3 (slightly notchy feel) but not 4 or 5. Then I cut the engine and could get 1 to 3 (slightly notchy feel) but not 4 or 5. I'd be able to get 4 and 5 if I did a double declutch (engine on obviously).

[Rambo]

Anyone got an idea how much it would cost me to get a car transported a 100 miles or so and then another transported the 100 miles back?

Alan,

Sorry - no help with your gear selection problem but just a suggestion on the logic of getting your car to the garage and back cheaply.

Are you in the AA/RAC/Green Flag ? Does your insurance cover relay recovery (I think Footman James does if you're with them ??) If so, arrange an appointment at your Lotus garage, persuade them to give you a courtesy car and then get relayed there. That will only cost 20p for the 2 phone calls.

If not it will cost you around £100 - £130 to get annual insurance cover.

Mark

[ESM]

£250+vat for the transport - so that's not going to happen! I've added relay to my AA cover so I'll start off driving and see how far I get....

[Monty]

Alan,

I`m in the RAC and as long as i`m 1 mile from my home they will take me to destination of my choice so would think the AA is the same. Other than that can u not get some one to tow u

[ESM]

Its a quarter mile from home in the AA . However, you are only covered after 24 hours from adding Relay (I checked the small print) so I'll take it down on Wednesday. I'm sure I could get someone to tow it but it'll probably make it under its own steam. I just want the AA cover as an contingency measure.

[ESM]

Well, I made down there without much drama. The box, however, is a poor state. The nut on the shaft was loose but that wasn't the primary problem. The nut is meant to be retained by a metal pin this had escaped entirely, fallen into the box and played merry havoc producing an unfortunately large amount of swarf. Chris tried simply removing the debris and tightening the bolt but the shift was not improved. Fortunately I have a spare gearbox, it has a has a slightly dodgy syncro in 3rd but I'll have that one reconditioned and fitted.

[Sy V]

Looks like they'll have to do something similar to what PM has just done to mine - mix 'n match two boxes. the outcome's worth it though Alan.

Sy