Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

When doing shake down testing new fault developed,difficult gear selection,managed to get home,took gear lever out,plastic ball inside bottom of screw in bit had fallen apart,luck that I had spare one that has chromed shaft,is this original,have got old ford gearstick on flea bay ,but looks like I have to cut broken one in two to mend it,never a dull moment

5 speed?

Yes 5 speed

Over to you Jon!

Only way I could screw gear lever on was to remove circlip from top of rubber bellows that gives preload on it,now need to know how to get downward pressure on rubber to put circlip back,this elan+2 has had new chassis on it and hole for lever is offset,5 speed box, that makes the job a nightmare ,or is it just me,any suggest ones welcome

I'd put it in neutral, then use a plastic trim puller to compress the bellows down with one hand. Then slip the clip on with the other hand.

See easy, to write not so to do. But to be honest I've managed it on my car with an added spacer between bellows and clip. Just a matter of keep trying and a few curse words.

I've also been able to fit gear sticks with the bellows and clips in place.

It is a bit of a pig to work on. I modified it like this -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSyhX_8Lv9I

JonB did much the same.

Actually quite easy to do if you have a tap and die set. I didn?t implement Vince?s sliding nut, though. My bellows is secured by the circlip and there is a washer under it to add tension. I did implement the detachable top bit though. So I can remove the stick for gearbox removal.

Write up here: viewtopic.php?f=37&t=45077