Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I have Panasport knock-on type wheels currently mounted with the "ear-type" nuts and am considering a to change to the "hexagon type" nuts. The latter say "For use on steel wheels only". The Panasports are aluminum (alloy?) with what looks to be steel center inserts.

Can the "hexagon type" nuts be safely used on the Panasports?

Why the restriction?

Thanks and Happy Motoring
Ken

Hi,
The mating part of the hexagon nuts appears to be identical with the mating part of the eared nuts. Therefore one can use one or the other. I reckon both are for use on steel wheels only - which I reckon applies to the steel inserts on the Panasports. Anyway I have been using Panasports and hexagon nuts for many years now - and no problems.
Gordon

Yes. Thanks for your reply.
Ken

My 1969 Elan, which I bought about 20 months ago, has both the Panasports and the octagon nuts. No problems in over 2500 miles of driving.

I've yet to have to remove a wheel, but the only warning I was given is to make them TIGHT.

Steve B.

The Panasport have a S/S center insert. The mating face duplicates the angle of the stock steel K/O wheel.

See the document "Specs for Panasports Elan Wheel" on the GGLC website.
www.gglotus.org - then go to "TECH", then "Elan/+2" and click on the article.

Kiyoshi

Thanks for the replies.

Kiyoshi, your technological response. precisely what I was looking for... No doubt you have been receiving royalties from Panasport!

<!--QuoteBegin-klev+May 28 2005, 05:20 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (klev @ May 28 2005, 05:20 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Kiyoshi, your technological response. precisely what I was looking for... No doubt you have been receiving royalties from Panasport! [/quote]
I wish!!! But, even if I were I couldn't retire on it...

One of the reasons I posted the drawings was to allow anyone to modify a set of alloy wheels for use with their Elan or +2.

Cheers,
Kiyoshi