Are Lotus knockoff's backwards???

[SpeedModel]

Every British car with knockoff wheels that I have ever owned have had
reverse threads on the right side splined wheel hubs. Recently, I pulled an
Elan race car off the self that I was restored a couple of years ago but has
since been unused and noticed that the reverse threads were on the left side.
I thought this was obviously a mix up that occurred when the car was being
assembled and promptly switched the hubs to opposite sides of the car. First
however, I checked the manual and it said "right hand threads fitted to right
side" and 'left hand threads to left side." I thought this must be a
printing error and it's why the hubs were fitted opposite to normal.
However, yesterday I saw a newly restored S3 Elan and its hubs were backwards
too with the reverse threads on the left side. Can this possibly be correct?
If so, why? It seems very unsafe to me.

Eric Jeffries

[jeff wolfson]

It is correct. Have a look at Hugh Haskell's book, 'Colin Chapman, Lotus
Engineering', pp66-68 for an explanation. The book was re-issued in
paperback in 1998, published by Osprey. ISBN 1 85532 872 0.

Dr Jeff Wolfson
PO Box 39179
Faerie Glen
0043 South Africa
Telephone/Fax +27 (0) 12 991 5468
Cell 082 492 2548
Email [email protected]

[tome.coelho]

because most British knockoffs are used on wire wheel hubs with the
knockoff's bearing (mating) surface on the outside diameter of the wheel hub
and the i.d. of the knockoff. Elan knockoffs have their mating surface on
the o.d. of the knockoff itself, bearing on an i.d. surface on the wheel
hub. If Elan hubs are mounted with the reverse thread on the right side of
the car, they will tend to loosen.

John Coelho

[griffo]

The manual is correct. I thought the same thing, I have a 69 E type and
noticed the reverse to the Elan. The theory to the splined wheels that the
spinners should tighten up in a forward direction. However the Lotus wheels
are held on by studs and do not have the same turning moment to them,
providing that the holes are not worn.
Ichecked this out with Miles Wilkins and had to promptly put the hubs back to
the way the manual states. Sometimes it's better not to think!
Regards Peter G

[Citromike]

Hi folks

I understand the various approaches described here, but my car
had the worst arrangement - one hub in each direction on each side
of the car. The previous owner (there was only one) or a shop
he used must have done this. The front two hubs were swapped,
and the knockoffs were crossthreaded as well.

Not too hard to fix but it sure confused me that afternoon in the garage...

Michael Roeder
[email protected]
[email protected]

[rodbean]

[email protected] wrote:


Wow! Good thing you noticed that before something bad happened.

Happy New year Mike, to you and yours.

Rod

[spelberg at cityweb.de]

If you are interested in that book title, please
check my homepage. It is in stock.

http://www.lotus-books.com

Colin Chapman Lotus Engineering. Hugh Haskell, ex
Lotus employee describes theories, designs,
applications - the intriguing detailed story of
Chapman and his most notable projects. All models.
Chassis, suspension, gearboxes, frames,
monocoques, composite materials, all have their
own chapter. Plus some of his more unusual and
famous projects such as boats and micro lights.
198 pgs., 200 b/w ill. hardbound
$ 39,95 - ? 24,95

Jeff Wolfson wrote:

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