drive shaft support bearing

[Mark C]

I've got a problem which shows itself as a pronounced/ violent wobble on the front end from side to side. Then wobble increases at higher speeds and in 3rd and 4th gear it is more visible. It transmits through the steering wheel and as it is I cannot travel over 60 MPH. Both drive shafts have been removed and the only visible problem is with the free play in the O/S drive shaft support bearing. The one that attaches to the engine.

This may not be the problem but has anybody got a part number for this bearing, either Lotus or SKF.

Any other suggestion about the cause or confirmation that i'm having the correct bit replaced would be greatly appreiciated guys.

Thanks, Mark.

[Simon_P]

To get a new bearing you will need.

Outer diameter, inner diameter and width of the existing bearing.

You will also need to specify the sealing that you require i.e. rubber with outer metal dust cover.

Find a place that sells bearings and ask a few questions.

You might be lucky - the existing bearing may have a number on it (probably not) this will tell you dimensions and sealing.

Simon

[joeisuzu]

If your elan is FWD only and is not AWD, I bet you my left testicle that one from a geo storm will fit, try a 1991 Geo storm GSi as the search vehicle... I don't know how different your drivetrain is besides it have lower gearing, but I bet its the same bearing, as it bolts to the back of the engine in the geos as well. If you didn't get geo storms in your country you can try an isuzu panero or isuzu impulse, just make sure you look them up with the DOHC engine, as the SOHC engines got a single piece driveshaft on the passenger side in the US.

[Candles]

The drivetrain is different I think. Lotus changed it a bit to even up the shaft lengths I'm led to beleive.

[Candles]

Any other suggestion about the cause or confirmation that i'm having the correct bit replaced would be greatly appreiciated guys.

Thanks, Mark.

And to actually try and help with the original problem:

I have 2 centre bearings, one with a considerable amount of play the other without. It makes no difference to the actual handling of the car which one is fitted. It would be very difficult for them to, considering the location. I think your problem is much more likely to be a wheel bearing, or presuming you've already checked this, a distorted part somewhere: Buckled wheel?

What else have you checked?

Candles.

[joeisuzu]

I'm pretty sure they'd be the same, as on the back of a geo storm GSi or Impulse XS there is a shaft coming out of the passenger side of the transmission and it goes into a bearing with a bracket that bolts to the back of the engine and then the passenger axcel is stuck in that. These cars have equal length axcels, however I've never seen under the hood of an Elan in person, so what do I know? Would be worth checking into as I bet the bearing is cheaper for a geo or isuzu than a lotus