Does anyone know about the gearbox?

[brubaker]

I have just left my Elan (of 6 weeks) down to my mechanic to investigate a kind of low knocking when the car is moving forward (either in or out of gear).

Anyway they think it is the gearbox/diff and it will need taken out and refurbished. Anyone know where Lotus got it from - i've done some searching and checked the forums but no luck.

Any help would be appreciated...

PJ

[Monty]

PJ

I`ve got a spare Diff if u`r interested as i`ve had a quailfe ATB fitted. IIRC the gearbox is the same as the Impulse in the USA. U can download the manuals from the link above once u have sign up, there will be detail info and drawings which may help u`r mechanic.

It may not be the gearbox possible driveshafts or maybe the anti roll bar has popped off, balljoints


ps got back from Belfast last week, luv the nite life there

[Paul.P]

PJ, its an izuzu unit, same as the engine. Think they were used in the Piazzo, & Geo Storm, but don't know if the gearing was the same ?

[Nige]

Welcome to LEC and Elan ownership.

I'm pretty sure the transmission is an Isuzu unit like the engine can't recall off hand exact spec but I'm sure an expert will be along shortly!

Edit: Experts type faster than me!

If the knocking is the gearbox or diff then that is a little unusual (but not impossible) it would be worth checking out the other obvious sources of the noise you describe such as front wheel bearings, CV joints, or even a warped brake disc (would be obvious when you brake).

As your garage has looked at the car and I haven't they are probably right but I like to eliminate things on the basis of cheapest/simplest first.

[brubaker]

I heard the kind of joint knocking thing in another car before so I don't think it's that...Mmmm

So it's an izuzu then - I think someone local refurbishes them - I mean gearboxes in general. I will let my mechanic know that.

It's funny when I was thinking of buying one I resolved myself to do bits and pieces myself - to save money - and have been doing so - then this kind of thing blind sides you:)

Great car though - oh and a great forum to.

Having carried out various bits of work I think I've increased the value - there is no lotus dealership in Northern Ireland. Is there anywhere on the site or do you have any suggestions where I could get it valued - its an S2...

Cheers for the help guys

PJ

[Sy V]

There used to be an Elan-owner called Davey Neil (?) who was Ulster-based. But I've not seen him around for some time now. We found two written-off cars in a scrapper in Enniskillen too, so that might be a source of parts for you.
Nice drive from the city to the lakes as well!

Welcome to the forum and thanks for the compliments.

Sy

[brubaker]

I contacted a couple of guys in Ennsk but no one had any Elans - in fact one guy laughed at me when I asked him - dreadfully ungracious...

Anyway my mechanic is contacting they guy who refurbs these gearboxs on Monday so I'll know then - since buying the car I've spent

£300 full wheel refurb
£356 new window regulator
£200 stereo
£100 misc (mats, tax disc holder, upgraded front lights)
£350 two new rear alpine rear lights

Hope this is all worth it:)

PJ

[TStevens]

Wait until project creep starts when someone offers you a quaife whilst you're having your gearbox done

Ive done some of the above aswell plus a few thousand repairing vandalism/hit 'n' run..

But in the end its all worth it

[brubaker]

So IT IS the bearings in the diff. Going to get it refurbished by a specialist over here. Get a clutch in at the same time...as someone said - welcome to Elan ownership:)

It's funny - if it wasn't for the fact that everyone turns round to look at the car as it drives past - and thinks that's not an MX-3 ...well I might even be downhearted about it:)

PJ