Yella Fella

[Doug]

There's the reason I never wanted to do backs! I like to "FIX" people, not just get my semi-annual installment from them. At least the back guys have a never ending stream of repeat patients to keep them busy.

Good luck on #3 (or is it #4?) Matt!

[lotos]

Alright Matt... I suppose you have a note from your Doctor so we'll give you a pass this time...

My affliction of choice is knee-related. My dad and sister have both had major work done and I'm worried I'm next in line.

[nitroman]

Now I have a better idea for a unique exhaust outlet! I like the rolled-round outlets, and to snug them together I think a triple "triangle" arrangement outlet might be the bomb.

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/2 ... 800x0w.jpg

[nitroman]

I had kinda satisfied myself that the OE brakes worked acceptably. Today there was a stray dog on the interstate and if he had not moved out of the way I'd have hit him. In situations like that it is clear that a far superior system exists. Thus I will put the brake change-out on the fast track.

The white car at this point is still by far the superior sports car.

[GeoffSmith]

Well it's like this, I'll find out Thursday whether I'm having back-surgery next month.

How did you get on Matt?

[nitroman]

Well it's like this, I'll find out Thursday whether I'm having back-surgery next month.

How did you get on Matt?

He sent me to get a full Lumbar MRI last Monday & the results of that are being sent up to him. He's looking for herniated discs in the MRI. The CT myleogram showed significant ossification around the L3/4 neural foramina.

I'm leaning toward just having a Medtronics spinal stimulator implanted instead of another major surgery. The batteries don't have to be replaced for 11 years!

[GeoffSmith]

The only option I was given for my spina bifida occulta & grade 3 spondylolisthesis thirty years ago was a fusion of L4/5/S1. It has worked well and it's interesting to see how the technology used in examination and treatment have moved on in that time. Whatever the outcome, I hope it goes well.

[nitroman]

So here are the discs prepped for installation. I continue to learn and have approximately limited the painted areas to those not swept clean by the pads. Notice that the outer race is potected as well. Paint is a shiny 95% zinc covered with a clear gloss ceramic engine paint.

I am trying to detail the wheel wells in addition to changing the brakes, so the job is taking a good deal of time. Checking my other Elan for part orientation I could not be more pleased how well my detail job has held up in the 7 or 8 months since I did it. It makes a huge difference using the right (extremely robust) paints.

[nitroman]

I have the left-side wheel-well all stripped-down & completely detailed now. That means the old brakes are completely gone on that side. Will get back to this project either Tuesday or Thursday, depending on other time constraints.

I painted the new calipers to provide more protection to the LOTUS decal, after seeing how well this paint stood up in the tough wheel-well environment after 8-months.

BTW I snapped my #3 screw-extractor (that I mentioned in another thread), but then simply used the next size up to remove the offending screw. I was very surprised that I was able to break the extractor in that way, but that also lets you know how much torque it was able to form in its death-grip with the screw, as the broken-off bit was still solidly embedded into the head of the screw!

[nitroman]

Ready for neue Bremsen.

[nitroman]

Still ready for neue Bremsen.

[paulwatkins]

Matt, do you actually drive your car! Its absolutely spotless in there!

I suppose it helps living in a better clime than Blighty.

Great detailing work!

[nitroman]

Need to bleed the brakes tomorrow then I'll be done.

[nitroman]

ditto

[lotos]

Before bleeding them, I would recommend attaching the brake lines. Now, I'm no auto expert. Maybe they're supposed to dangle free like that.

[nitroman]

Before bleeding them, I would recommend attaching the brake lines. Now, I'm no auto expert. Maybe they're supposed to dangle free like that.

Sometimes I forget about the joys of solitude.

[nitroman]

Well fluck-a duck. My Giot's Brake Fluid Extractor stopped drawing a vacuum. The handle has to be forced to move up & down. You can do it but its against tremendous force. Has anyone with this (Doug, Ekapol, and ?) had theirs stop working? I had actually completed bleeding both calipers & was going to bleed each again as I always do with brakes, when it stopped "sucking".

The brake pedal is more firm & moves a far shorter distance than the white car (it should as the yellow car uses a caliper with smaller pistons), but not being able to bleed the calipers normally*, thoroughly really bothers me. Subject cross to this thread: viewtopic.php?f=64&t=9258&p=109472&hilit=Fluid+AND+Extractor#p109472

* = my usual way

[nitroman]

I drove 5 houses down the street & returned. There was a faint click, click, click; which turned out to be the INSIDE balance weights striking the hydraulic line on one side. I'll put it up on ramps my next available day and adjust them. Not to denigrate anyone, but I have no idea why there is a 90-degree metal elbow (screwed into the caliper) which the hose is attached to. That keeps it too close to the wheel. In my mind the hose should immediately put distance between itself & the wheel. I'd simply replace the 90-degree piece with a straight fitting. I would imagine Wilwood carries such a thing, for the rest of you who've yet to install yours.

I'll not comment on brake feel , as I obviously didn't go fast enough to draw conclusions. I will say though, that pedal travel is HUGELY shorter than with the larger 6816 calipers. Please recall that I have neither the large 6816 nor the small 6806 caliper, but rather the midground 6811.

Oh yes, the clearance between the caliper & the S2 wheel is REALLY tight. I'd say it's less than half the distance it is on the Fed wheels.

[Doug]

Hi Matt,
don't work too hard! My Griot's is still sucking along fine -- seems maybe a bit gummed up but works fine--not smooth and silky like it was when new. Clearance on my Wilwoods to my aftermarket wheel was about a credit card thick at most--I had to move my wheel weights too.

[lotos]

Matt - are you using the new Wilwood setup from Bob with the dust seals? Or the previous BrianMDB setup?