Gibbie

Hi Mike is this still available? if so please let me know the costs? kind Regards Paul

Hi Chris no free samples sadly, and initially a min order requirement of 100! But I managed eventually to get an order of 6 units agreed. May I send you a pair to try next time u do the drive shaft seals? No cost but I’ll need an address to post them to you - however we arrange that? Kind Regards Paul

Just in case this is of interest to anyone out there - although I use a Burroughs gauge to set the belt tension I’ve been keen to move to sonic measurement as per the Clavis gauge that Lotus recommend. I’ve previously had no luck with using a microphone and an app on my iPhone. Almost random results with little repeatability. but recently saw this advertised at affordable money, around £85. Its turned out to be reliable and repeatable with consistent results. Kind Regards Paul G

Hi Sparky Thanks for info and encouragement! Success! Used one of theses spanners 19 mm to hold the adjuster nut and a long series 17 mm socket to move the lock nut. Took a while to physically get the tools in place, but most grateful for your input! kind Regards Paul G

Thanks Sparky! Ill give it a go. Kind Regards Paul G

I’ve done the recommended 500 miles after the belt change in my S4 - and have now rechecked the cam belt tension which appears to be too loose. My question to you experts is - is it possible to adjust the belt tensioner without removing all the other belts and crankshaft pulley? the access looks pretty restricted! I’ve just been under there! kind Regards Paul G

Hi Stimpy sorry to hear of your troubles. Have you considered Geoff at Esprit engineering in Downton? Very knowledgable and Straight guy. just a thought. kind Regards Paul G

Good idea Chris! I’ve asked them - keep u posted! kind Regards Paul

Chris I’m tempted to try these next time I need to do this job! Good suggestion of yours. https://www.accu.co.uk/885-spiral-roll-pins#elasticsearch_id_feature_402397=402397_699&elasticsearch_id_feature_402390=402390_16&id_elasticsearch_category=885&orderby=ranking&orderway=asc So, I would just use the one pin, no second smaller pin. The critical dimensions seem to be 6mm diameter by 50 mm length. sadly the minimum order is 100 units! kind Regards Paul

Hi Paul, I have an insertion tool that I've lent out before. I'd be going out on a limb having not met you but if you would like to borrow it and promise, promise, promise to return it then I can post it to you. I know what it is like to need an expensive special tool just once in a while that you know are out there sitting idle most of the time. Hi Chris all back together and drive shaft seals dry so far! not sure where you are based but I’m in Southampton. If I can ever do anything for you down this way please don’t hesitate to ask. Kind Regards Paul

Hi Filip and Chris No, I checked the tool for clearance in the absence of a seal and all was well. Today, I installed the offside seal and it went in with a lot less hammering. No change in preparation. Transmission aperture ,cleaned and degreased. New seal inserted into tool, seal edge dressed with Wellseal. Tool and seal mounted on output shaft. Tool hammered until collar was tight. So no explanation for that. As for pin insertion - I always established that the u/j was correctly orientated on the output shaft by checking that a 6 mm drill would pass through the whole assembl

Hi Chris just to say a further thanks to you for your very kind offer of a loan of the magic seal tool! Steve (@SJS) was as good as his word and my insertion tool arrived yesterday. So, today I set to and inserted the near side seal and pins. One side, therefore, now back together! I was taken aback by the heavy hammering that was required to insert the seal and then again to insert the lock pins! Is this normal? Have you had the same experience? Kind Regards Paul

Hi Chris and Filip I have cleaned up everything ready for seal insertion, scratched my chin, and moved on to the rear suspension overhaul. I had new dampers and springs in stock, bought ages ago! So in they went yesterday. Pictures show the old, the new, the tool and a finished side! Kind Regards Paul

Chris - so many thanks for your very kind offer! Above and Beyond if I may say so. Foolishly, today I thought I’d try inserting a seal with a large socket which was a snug fit inside the seal dust guard perimeter. Sadly, it didn’t go well! So I ordered the magic tool from Steve @ SGS as well as a replacement seal! Older and not a lot wiser. Steve is hoping to get my order out on Monday. If that all goes pear shaped, may I come back to you and take up your kind offer? Filip - thanks also for your most helpful reply. My cock up today happened much as you described it! I had

I’ve been using lockdown to get going with jobs long overdue on my esprit S4! Cam belt done! So next the drive shaft oil seals. The manual references a tool for inserting the new seals, with two different collars (18 & 20mm). But I was hoping to be able to use a standard seal drive set that I have or an appropriate large socket that fits the seals. The key seems to be the depth to which one insert the new seal into the recess. I’ve measured the existing depths before disturbing anything. But my question to the experts out there is how do I measure the required insertion depth?