Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

My diff has nearly 200k miles on it and makes no noises. The bearings and seals have been replaced twice so far mostly as a precaution. How far will a ring and pinion go on one of these cars if it always has proper lubrication? Anyone make it to 300k miles?

Tim, if the parts book shows none of the rubbing components are yellow metal I'm going to make the switch to the GL5 like Rohan recommends.

It sounds like diff people use diff lubricants in their ... well ... diffs.

***STUPID QUESTION ALERT***

When I re-commissioned my Elan S2, I didn't do anything to the diff. I did try to renew the oil, but after hours of staring, feeling and reading up from the manual, I could not find the filler hole on the diff. Fortunately, I did think about that before I did the job, so I hadn't drained the old oil out.

Now that I have revealed myself as a numpty, could somebody describe the location of the filler hole a little more acurately that the manual. 'Cos if the manual is right, then I don't have the original diff...or I am stupid...

Matt

The diff filler plug is in the rear of the alloy case about halfway up. You fill until the oil is up to the level of plug hole. People ofter cut a hole in the boot forward fibreglass wall opposite the plug to aid plug removal and diff filling.

regards
Rohan

"No such thing as a stupid question - just be careful of stupid answers"

I called Redline Oils' techline yesterday and got assured that yes the GL-5 gearoil has some sulphur additive but not enough to corrode any yellow metal components. Thanks Rohan, spot on correct again.