Sternwhale

Thanks for the tips! Mole grips good call. I found they could hold the bolt but could slip. Spanner vertically could also (sometimes) provide good grip. Could not find a way to get spanner on the bolt. Agree about cleaning threads, I used wd40 and an m8 thread clearing nut that certainly helped once it started moving. Following advice and above steps I have progressed to just one left... thanks for tips on replacements. will definitely be looking at alternatives l. thanks all! S.

Hello all, I’m sure this has been covered somewhere already but I haven’t been able to find it. I am trying to remove the front seats and would like to know if there is a straightforward (for a lotus) way to do this. In particular a means to stop the bolt from spinning in the seat channel given that it doesn’t seem possible to get a spanner or socket on it because of the way that it is located within the channel. thanks in advance and good luck with your own projects.

Hi, quick question: what size are the three bolts that secure the internal door handle to the metal plate? Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the help. I found that I could get to the speakers with just the two screws on the leading edge removed. It was a good opportunity to remove the mouse nest as well...

Hi both, thanks for the detailed info. Very valuable. I reckon that I should be able to get going and can see what can be done. TBH, when I read “you only need to” It leads me to take a deep breath and get prepared for rusted and inaccessible fixings. But it sounds like there may not be too many this time. Thus far delving into the interior usually leads to an adventure in which the POs illuminate the way with a mixture of wood screws, silicone sealant and gaffer tape. Fingers crossed...

Great, thanks Tony. Hoping I won’t have to (but assuming I will) have to completely remove rear seats to access and address speaker wiring. Grateful for additional experiences with what looks to be another enjoyable job.

Hello, dealing with a modified car and just wondering what speakers the S1 elite had and where they were located. Advice appreciated before I start pulling trim apart as we all know how much fun that is.... thanks in advance.

Hi everyone, I haven't investigated fully yet but hoping you can save me some time and expense. The door cards on my Elite are supposed to be held on by a number of screws round the edge. However, only a few of these remain on each side so that the cards are loose. I am wondering what the system is for securing the screws on the door side as simply trying a replacement screw doesn't work as they are too loose. Grateful for explanations/details from those of you that have dealt with this in the past.

Thanks, it seems that our cars are made of a mix of Lotus, Ford, BMC and unicorn... Perhaps someone has found an alternative to the original chrome edging.

Hi all, Bit of a long shot but having tried the usual parts suppliers to no avail I wondered if anyone had spare chrome edging for centre console (the wood effect part that holds the switches) for Series 1 car. Failing this a centre console with edging that they can bear to part with. Thanks!

Sorry to hear about your suspension woes. I had similar issues (albeit several months ago now and pre-TLF) with rear trailing arm poly bush sleeves (too narrow) as well as a on the front lower wishbones bush sleeves (too long). As you say, best to check when ordering from your chosen supplier and be clear when ordering that the bushes a) have been checked and do fit and b) will fit without the assumption of a degree of user alteration. Am enjoying the car now so good luck with getting your suspension sorted as it will be worthwhile.

Great to see the spotlight actually lighting up the dash. What was the bulb that you used?

Hi Robert, your car coming along and looking great! Out of interest what was the part number for the edging for the bumpers that you used? Following your progress with interest as you seem to be tackling all the jobs that are facing me and great learning opportunity!! So big thanks for the detail and info that you provide.

Hi, thanks. That's all very useful.

Hi all, sorry to resurrect this thread but I am thinking of maybe looking at a rebuild for a 5-speed gearbox that is getting noisy, particularly in 5th. Do these recommendations still stand for parts and rebuilding? Any experiences of rebuilding a gearbox or getting one done? Thanks in advance for your help!