Easy Access To The Diff.

PostPost by: RotoFlexible » Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:36 pm

hatman wrote:Just a thought but are the frequent diff top-ups specified in the manual really necessary - especially so with the improvement in lubricants since the car was designed? Frequent diff up-topping doesn't seem to feature in other cars' requirements.


I think the problem isn't that the lube goes bad but rather that it doesn't stay in the diff. If modern seals are more effective, perhaps the checking interval can be extended.
Andrew Bodge
'66 Elan S2 26/4869
I love the sound of a torque wrench in the morning. Sounds like... progress.
User avatar
RotoFlexible
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 679
Joined: 01 Sep 2005

PostPost by: ceejay » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:43 pm

The diff level should be checked at normal service intervals, the more easy the access is the more likely that the job will get done. If you ever experienced a diff running out of oil while driving you will want to frequently check the oil level. I once had a diff out-put shaft seal blow while returning from the far south coast of NSW here in OZ, it happened while hammering down a mountain pass when all hell broke loose, the sound of a diff about to seize plus the smell of a hot diff is not something I want to see or hear or smell again. That's why I then made it easy to access from inside the boot.... just to spend a few minutes checking. It's no big deal, but you just want to be certain that all is OK before heading off for a blast on your favourite driving road.
ceejay
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 623
Joined: 27 Mar 2007

PostPost by: garyeanderson » Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:11 pm

Like most subjects that come up on the forum this appears to have been coversed before,

http://www.lotuselan.net/publish/differ ... ling.shtml

Gary
User avatar
garyeanderson
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 3391
Joined: 12 Sep 2003

PostPost by: elansprint71 » Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:51 pm

archigator wrote:
elansprint71 wrote:I've got the access hatch for the diff and also the gearbox.... what can I chop up next?? :twisted:


How about cutting in a moon roof on your FHC? :twisted:

Gary
'71 Elan Sprint FHC
Miami, FL


Hey, I just got my third gear! Happy New Year!


Happy New Gear!

Someone already cut the roof off my car.

Pete. :twisted:
User avatar
elansprint71
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 4435
Joined: 16 Sep 2003

PostPost by: archigator » Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:58 pm

I weighed the options, and decided that differential oil access trumps differed maintenance... so I got out the drill. I purchased a 4-inch plastic access hatch for about $18.00 from West Marine, and cut the hole just above and a little to the left of the battery grounding point. It fits perfectly, and I think provides a clean access point to the differential filler plug.

Otherwise, when not being accessed, it's hidden by the spare tire (tyre) and the trunk (boot) wooden panel and carpet. I may have just eliminated myself from the winner's podium at Pebble Beach, but life is full of compromises...

Gary
'71 Elan Sprint FHC
Miami, Florida
Attachments
Differential Access 1.jpg and
4 1/2-inch diameter drill/ Hole located just above and to the left of the battery grounding point.
Differential Access 2.jpg and
New 4 1/2-inch access point.
Differential Access 3.jpg and
Differential oil plug access through 4-inch plastic hatch cover.
User avatar
archigator
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 554
Joined: 15 Sep 2003

PostPost by: Jason1 » Sun Jan 13, 2008 5:22 pm

Hi

I like the idea of this access panel, a very neat job at a very reasonable price. I had a quick look on Ebay and for the UK I can get a 4" one for ?3.87 including postage, that is a bargin!!!

Jason
50/0951 1968 Wedgewood blue +2, 1990 Mini Cooper RSP
User avatar
Jason1
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1554
Joined: 03 Nov 2005

PostPost by: Barney » Sun Jan 13, 2008 5:53 pm

Gary,
Smart job :!: , it looks like a metal finish, is it chromed plastic?
I can't see it in your pictures, but can you also access the handbrake tree to give that a bit of TLC too?

Barney
Elan S2 DHC (26-4399),
Barney
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 238
Joined: 13 Aug 2007

PostPost by: ceejay » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:30 pm

There you go fella's, I reckon the diff access/servicing problem has been solved, there's gonna be a lot more servicing done in the near future with all of these quick access holes.... a damn side better than what you had to do previously.

Good on ya.
Col.
ceejay
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 623
Joined: 27 Mar 2007

PostPost by: garyeanderson » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:51 pm

these need a 3 1/2 inch hole but they have a lotus part number
Attachments
P1130475.jpg and
Lotus part number 26 B 0371
User avatar
garyeanderson
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 3391
Joined: 12 Sep 2003

PostPost by: archigator » Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:26 pm

It's black plastic. I think it also adds some rigidity and provides a smooth finish when open so your hand doesn't get that abrasive fiberglass edge treatment. You can feel the handbrake workings just beneath the hole.

Gary
'71 Elan Sprint RHD
Miami, Florida
User avatar
archigator
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 554
Joined: 15 Sep 2003

PostPost by: bloodknock » Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:34 pm

Hi Gary,
Imitation is the sicerest form of copying!
Hole ready for marine inspection plate, its going to be fun fitting the inspection plate ring.....those screws ...reaching the nuts to tighten.
Regards
Bob
20190115_133637.jpg and
I've got a deadline, at 73, I want to finish it before I die!
User avatar
bloodknock
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 598
Joined: 04 Jun 2012

PostPost by: ericbushby » Tue Jan 15, 2019 5:47 pm

Hi bob,
A few of us in the northwest branch of Club Lotus did a similar mod. some time ago.
We found the fibreglass a bit flimsy and distorted at that point.
By fitting a 3mm sheet aluminium backing ring with tapped holes it held it all straight and meant no nuts were needed.
Eric in Burnley
S3SE DHC
ericbushby
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1349
Joined: 13 Jun 2011

PostPost by: bloodknock » Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:21 pm

Hello Eric
that sounds like a plan, thanks, i'll get straight onto it. though I have to say that GRP I cut through varied from 3 to 5mm thick, but I agree that the surface is not exactly level.
Thanks again
regards
Bob
I've got a deadline, at 73, I want to finish it before I die!
User avatar
bloodknock
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 598
Joined: 04 Jun 2012

PostPost by: steve lyle » Mon May 13, 2019 10:17 pm

A thank you to all who've come before.

I finally got the urge to change all the fluids on the car, and ran into the problem of accessing the diff fill plug. A few search attempts found the solution.

Here's my implementation.

img_0014.jpg and


Thanks,
Steve
Steve Lyle
1972 Elan Sprint 0248k @ https://www.mgexp.com/registry/1972-Lot ... 48K.30245/
1972 MGB Roadster @ https://www.mgexp.com/registry/1972-MG- ... 842G.4498/
2007 BMW 335i Coupe
User avatar
steve lyle
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 454
Joined: 15 Jun 2015
Previous

Total Online:

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 16 guests