Drive Shaft Oil Seals

[Paul17764]

Hi Espriters, Anybody had any experience with drive shaft oil seals, My Story Goes, Prior to the purchase of my GT3 it had been serviced and amoungst other things the drive shaft oil seals replaced. Approx 500 miles later when in my possesion they were leaking again, I purchased some over the internet via a company that sold all types of oil seals for different vehicles etc, not via a Lotus or Renault specialist. They fitted well although not as wide as the ones they replaced, but seemed to do the job. Approx 200 miles later they are leaking again, I replaced the inner 'O' rings at the same time although these didnt seem that tight, silconed all the pins etc as per the manual. Q. Am I cutting corners by not purchasing original Oil seals to start with and are the ones purchased from a Lotus/Renault dealer actually original equipment and likely to last longer? Your thoughts and comments all Welcome...Thanks in Advance Paul

[andydclements]

What oil are you running?

Also, were the new seals directional? Some are designed to keep oil in / ot depending on the direction of roatation of the shaft.

Andy

[Jonathan]

Depends on their spec and where they're leaking from - did you lube the seal itself when fitting it ?

It's possible they're not out far enough as you can push them in past the driveshaft.

See :

http://www.jonathanedwards.pwp.blueyonder....x_oil/index.htm

[DanR]

I couldn't get the seal in the time frame I had. My bearing supplier got me a standard generic seal about 8mm wide and a generic dust seal, also similar width I stacked on top. I made sure to fit them well in but not so far they blocked oil passage. So far they have been fine which pleased me because I anticipated it being a temporary fix until I got the OEM ones.

[chats371l]

When I had my service at Long Stratton Motor Company, they identified my GT3 as beginning to have the same problem. Gonna get them to sort them prior to my MOT in August.

The engineer at Long Stratton told me that the driveshaft seals are a common Esprit problem area and that they tend to go fairly regularly.

I think I saw a while ago someone mention a good source for improved seals but can not remember.

Regards

Chats

[esprits4de]

Last year the left side went, this year the right side ! Should have done both ! Silly me !

Important, as the chaps said before, do the seal and the o-ring at the same time.....

[The Saint]

Chats,

Had the O/S oil seal replaced at Stratton, lasted 3 months & cost the best part of

[chats371l]

Thanks for that Saint.

Following on from that then, does anyone know I good place to get this work done where it is gonna last longer then 3 months?

Regards

Chats

[Paul17764]

What oil are you running?

Also, were the new seals directional? Some are designed to keep oil in / ot depending on the direction of roatation of the shaft.

Andy

Hi Andy, I am running Valvoline SynPower GL-4/5 TDL Fully Synthetic SAE 75w-90, with no other problems The new seals were not directional that I know of, although they were differrent from the ones they replaced in that they were brown as apposed to black and where both the same width, the ones coming out, one being wider that the other.

John, The seals sit flush with the end of the metal ring around the drive shaft and are leaking at that point, they did have a fine smidge of sealent around them before going into the gearbox and are not leaking from between the seal and gearbox itself.

Regards to All ....Paul

[The Saint]

Thanks for that Saint.

Following on from that then, does anyone know I good place to get this work done where it is gonna last longer then 3 months?

Regards

Chats

Chats,

I have used both Stratton & the Factory for servicing & I'm still waiting to find someone who will give decent customer service. For the next service I'm going to try Pat Thomas at Kelvedon Motors (Spalding). It's around 70 miles from Norwich so I will have a day in Spalding while they carry out the work.

As for oil seal replacement, I'm going to do them myself, done them on my 72 Europa with no problems so I'll give it ago with the Esprit but fit doule lip seal oil seals.

The Saint.

[andydclements]

Chats,

As for oil seal replacement, I'm going to do them myself, done them on my 72 Europa with no problems so I'll give it ago with the Esprit but fit doule lip seal oil seals.

The Saint.

Another Esprit & 72 Europa owning Norwich resident?

Although my Europa is still in need of a the new subframe being fitted.

Andy

[The Saint]

Another Esprit & 72 Europa owning Norwich resident?

Although my Europa is still in need of a the new subframe being fitted.

Andy

Andy,

Yep, fitted a new galvanized chassis. Took me three years to carry out a full restoration.

It was a real pain getting the body to sit correctly over the chassis if you fit new sound proofing. Mine had the odd bit's stuck on various parts & was nose up for a while.

Roll bar & front bushers were a real pain trying to fit, wrestled with them for ages. Having said that totally enjoyed every minute.

I'm no expert but will gladly help if you ever need any advise

The Saint

[andydclements]

Didn't you have an early Seven?

[Tentenths]

Chats,

I have used both Stratton & the Factory for servicing & I'm still waiting to find someone who will give decent customer service. For the next service I'm going to try Pat Thomas at Kelvedon Motors (Spalding). It's around 70 miles from Norwich so I will have a day in Spalding while they carry out the work.

Give Gerald Turner in Newmarket a try. A real Esprit guru. Top bloke providing top service too

GST Performance

Unit 7

Studlands Business Park

Studland Park Industrial Estate

Newmarket

Suffolk

CB8 7SS

Tel: 01638 661144

[The Saint]

Didn't you have an early Seven?

Andy,

Never had a 7. Bit to basic for me.

The Saint,