Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I think it's time I bite the bullet and replaced my donuts with CV drive shafts. With what is available today I'm looking at Kevelton (sp?) and sliding spline from TT in UK both being the best value at 495ukp
<$700 usd.
That being said the droop in the elan needs tethered or stroke reduction struts fitted.
RD are selling a set for ~ $1600 that do not require straps, also a more expensive option from Australia.
This is almost $1000 extra, is it really worth it for a road car?
Thanks
James

I have the TT sliding splines in my S1 along with their special shocks that prevent droop. Work perfectly with no issues and some pretty aggressive driving and a 150 HP engine

holywood3645 wrote:I think it's time I bite the bullet and replaced my donuts with CV drive shafts. With what is available today I'm looking at Kevelton (sp?) and sliding spline from TT in UK both being the best value at 495ukp
<$700 usd.
That being said the droop in the elan needs tethered or stroke reduction struts fitted.
RD are selling a set for ~ $1600 that do not require straps, also a more expensive option from Australia.
This is almost $1000 extra, is it really worth it for a road car?
Thanks
James

James, I must respectfully disagree. The kits sold by RD, Bean and JAE are built by John Kouba in Los Angeles. They are very well made. They do not require limit straps. Call JAE Parts in Santa Barbara for a fair price. They are easy to fit and work very well. I have a set from them.

Best regards,
Dan

Sorry, my post was ment to represent the U.K. (TT and Kev') required the straps. RD and the Aus items do not.
Thanks for the info about the guy in LA
James

For anyone needing it, I have disassembled a Koni insert and modifying them to reduce the stroke seems simple enough. Haven't gotten to it yet however.

Kurt

I removed Koni inserts and have them on the shelf (they were fine) but don see how they can be disassembled. Can you let me know how you modified?
James

Later note; I do see 2 separate sets of keyed slots on the top of the Koni

holywood3645 wrote:I removed Koni inserts and have them on the shelf (they were fine) but don see how they can be disassembled. Can you let me know how you modified?
James

Later note; I do see 2 separate sets of keyed slots on the top of the Koni

the two squarish slots are to mount the shocks in the tubes, the two inner 4mm diameter holes are to disassemble the shocks.

The holes would need a spanner of this type.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=prong ... 34&bih=754

holywood3645 wrote:I think it's time I bite the bullet and replaced my donuts with CV drive shafts. With what is available today I'm looking at Kevelton (sp?) and sliding spline from TT in UK both being the best value at 495ukp
<$700 usd.
That being said the droop in the elan needs tethered or stroke reduction struts fitted.
RD are selling a set for ~ $1600 that do not require straps, also a more expensive option from Australia.
This is almost $1000 extra, is it really worth it for a road car?
Thanks
James

I've used straps to limit droop (3 or 4mm stainless cable, from the water hole in the bottom spring platform to the seatbelt bolt if I remember well), been there for a couple years till I eventually get to modify my konis - no issue so far...

holywood3645 wrote:I think it's time I bite the bullet and replaced my donuts with CV drive shafts. With what is available today I'm looking at Kevelton (sp?) and sliding spline from TT in UK both being the best value at 495ukp
<$700 usd.
That being said the droop in the elan needs tethered or stroke reduction struts fitted.
RD are selling a set for ~ $1600 that do not require straps, also a more expensive option from Australia.
This is almost $1000 extra, is it really worth it for a road car?
Thanks
James

I believe you are referring to Kelvedon, http://www.kelsport.net/.

holywood3645 wrote:I removed Koni inserts and have them on the shelf (they were fine) but don see how they can be disassembled. Can you let me know how you modified?
James

Later note; I do see 2 separate sets of keyed slots on the top of the Koni

Whoops, I'm sorry i haven't gotten back on this.

The Koni Strut insert is held together by three tabs that are bent in on the barrel. Carefully bend them back and do a good job of it because the inner bit holds O rings that you don't want to damage when you take it apart. Once you slide the inner's out it is quite evident that a stock steel tube stroke limiter is fitted that one should be able to extend.

Guess I should take some pic's

Kurt

I see the tabs,
any Idea How much the should be extended to limit the required droop?
James

Hi James....as mentioned, I haven't gotten to that yet. I believe there are some discussion on the limit in the archive. Coming up with the spacer length shouldn't be too difficult.

Kurt

nomad wrote:Hi James....as mentioned, I haven't gotten to that yet. I believe there are some discussion on the limit in the archive. Coming up with the spacer length shouldn't be too difficult.

Kurt

I'm planning to do that too, I would think it depends on the actual shafts being used... I have TTR's and I'll machine a bit more than 2" spacers (60mm) which should be safe for my application. Actual droop requirement can be checked relatively easily with the wheels dangling, then going up till a safe non binding margin is obtained when the shaft is rotated. I've checked both sides, and for complete wheel rotations.

In the UK, to my knowledge, there are two main CV drive shaft options. Those made by TTR (Tony Thompson Racing) and those by Mick Miller. Has anybody compared performance/results, have opinions etc related to these two options?

Thanks