LOKI my long term project.... (help often needed)

[MattDon]

id love to mate but its a non runner, atleast the one i need to source the driveshafts from. not a bad idea when it comes to replacing the one on loki though.

[MattDon]

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!

i managed to get the hub nut off, im too ashamed to tell you mechanical guys how, but it involved a breaker bar, lots of wd40, a blow tourch, 4' of scaffolding pole, spanner, sissor jack, screwdirver (how destroyed) a throughly abused tap oh and a hammer.... dont ask!!!

did look at removing the caliper but decided to read up on it tonight before going ape on it.

[Specky]

Who jammed a screwdriver through the brake disc to jam it on the caliper...

Bet it didn't budge...

TTFN

[MattDon]

actualy that was the spanner, i stuck it into the vented part of the disc. i destroyed the scewdriver (and the tap) using it to unpeen the nut and then try to lever away some of the thread. in the end i didnt need the scaffold pole, i drilled a few holes in the nut, blasted it with wd40 then the blow tourch ( ) and just used a sissor jack to push the breaker bar, it got all the way to the top but i then lifted it a little higher and it just gave..... I'll get my coat.

please tell me i dont have to do the other side.... if i want to remove both driveshafts.

[MattDon]

been doing a little reading and removing the driveshafts sounds a little daunting, has anyone got any tips, getting the hub off seems simple enough but after that, talk of special tools etc gets a little scary. Also if i need to get the jackshaft bearing off, so i can find a cross reference for other, is that going to be a problem? cheers

[Enright]

been doing a little reading and removing the driveshafts sounds a little daunting, has anyone got any tips, getting the hub off seems simple enough but after that, talk of special tools etc gets a little scary. Also if i need to get the jackshaft bearing off, so i can find a cross reference for other, is that going to be a problem? cheers

Sorry - what special tools after getting the hub off?
Getting the hub off is by far the most difficult bit - I only used a crowbar after that, and even then it didn't need much force.

[MattDon]

i got the hub off, and for anyone looking to try this in the future the best advice i got (thankyou rayd and everyone else) is to apply pressure to the joint as if your trying to press the bolt out and give it a damn good wack with a hammer. so now i need to release the circlips (which if anyone cant help me located id be very greatful) and then pop the driveshaft, ive read the manual but im not 100% on where to apply the pressure.

[RayD]

Email sent..........

Ray

[MattDon]

as ever ray your a star, driveshaft off its only taken me... several months. hopefully i'll get my head around splitting off the jackshaft and bearing and find a replacement at a local bearing specialist, then order driveshafts from lotus and finaly the car will be running properly again, looking forward to getting rid of the awful noise and constant worry of breaking down.

[bobbrown]

If you do not want to pay Lotus prices then these people could be worth a call as they can make up drive shafts for just about anything including competion ones and specials.

http://www.reco-prop.com/drive.htm

Bob

[MattDon]

i think lotus was selling them at £90 a side, do you still think it would be worth going to a specialist?

[bobbrown]

May be worth a phone call at least.

Bob

[MattDon]

started on removing the turbo so i can get the manifold off and shaped to the turbo adaptor plate, its gone ok but im struggling to get the studs out that go between the downpipe and the turbo, but it did just occur to me to try putting 2 bolts on one stud and trying to unscrew them like that, then its the turbo to mainifold nuts to remove, which feel VERY solid, already rounded a few bolts off which are proberly going to cause me problems later, oh the joy.

[CRAMBURY RS]

as long as the threads in the manifold are good, it's all cool!

[chrisP]

If the threads are on their way out and the studs won't shift, I find coating them in a release agent of some discription and then welding a nut or a bolt to the stud (there might be a few flames so ). It gets most siezed threads moving again, assuming you have a welder.

Regards
Chris

[MattDon]

ive got a list as long as my arm of stuff i realy need to do to the car, with a fair few being in and around the engine bay, for a complete novice how hard is it to swap engines over? id proberly be going out the front as im also replacing the rads and fans etc, or do i get a garage to do it for between £500-£1000 depending on how well it goes, or do i take it to the garage just down the road from me and hope they can manage? (if they come in much cheaper, of course.)

just had a decent tax refund and its time to sort the car out, got around £2000 to play with but im hoping to sell bits as i go. will write up the wish list and see if we think its do able.

[Dico]

Get on with it lad!!! Great satisfaction knowing you've done it yourself.
I came to the same conclusion myself when I had lots of engine stuff to do, remove the engine that is. If you've managed to remove the driveshafts and downpipe (I assume) then your part way there.
2 engine mounts, 1 gearbox mount, prongeron, few coolant pipes (replace with Samco ones whilst your at it), remove gear cables (replace with AB cables), couple of earth leads. Gawd you're almost there!
Replace fans and rad once engine is out. Much easier.
Redline MTL for your gearbox refill.
Remove bonnet, also you'll need a engine hoist.

Now get on with it!

Oh, easiest to remove engine and box in one go. Replace clutch possibly?

[dapinky]

Get on with it lad!!!

Oh, easiest to remove engine and box in one go.

And if you take the exhaust manifold/turbo off first it makes for a lot more manoevering room as you lift it!

[Dico]

coz if you don't you have around 2mm clearance, and may scratch your clam...

[MattDon]

went to jct in leeds today to pick up the parts, i only saw a sample but i think loki would look very nice dressed in lotus chrome orange.

now where did i put my credit cards, lol.

chrome orange

i notice a few people have done colour changes, what a reasonable cost.... just so i have something to aim for.

i managed to get the heatshield off the manifold the other day and i bet thats going to be a SOB to get off.