DanR 69 Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 Fortunately it was in my street. After the tow home a quick look revealed the fork broke.I had been in peak hour travel only a few minutes earlier so relieved it picked a convenient spot to break, very considerate.The car's only done 60k's and a quick web check indicates it's a rare occurrence. The same thing happened to my other car a couple of years ago too. It was a pain to repair being a transaxle with limited accessibility. The Esprit box removal is a piece of cake in comparison.Oh well these things are sent to try us... Quote DanR Link to post Share on other sites
jonwat 422 Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 Happened on my S4s at about 30K miles but the S4s clutch is a LOT heavier than the S4 clutch. Good opportunity to change the clutch if it's worn or hasn't been replaced for a few thousand miles. Quote Cheers, John W http://jonwatkins.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites
Loose Cannon 582 Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 The GT3's snapped at 46k, first time ever on the back of a transporter! Was replaced by Pure Lotus and felt much better Quote In the garage no-one can hear you scream Link to post Share on other sites
nickh 0 Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 I've had this too on my S4 at 75k. Also was only about half a mile from home when it happened, equally considerate!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DanR 69 Posted July 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 So there have been a few of us with this. A design fault maybe? It is with the Porsche fork. On our usual walk this morning I found the broken section in the gutter. I'll either weld the broken one and add webbing or get a new one and still add webbing. Quote DanR Link to post Share on other sites
mr.oogieboogie 121 Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 Dont forget the spring Quote It's Oogies turn to boogie Link to post Share on other sites
rogerch 63 Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 What spring ? Quote Life is like a sewer, what you get out of it, depends on what you put into it. (Tom Leahrer) Link to post Share on other sites
jonwat 422 Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 I'll either weld the broken one and add webbing or get a new one and still add webbing. Don't do that, you'll only be transferring the stresses away from where you've added the webbing to the ends of the webbing & making it far more likely to break. You'd need to re-manufacture the whole arm in a heavier gauge steel in order to strengthen it. Maybe the release arm should be considered a service item like the other clutch components (diaphragm spring & release bearing). I'd also look to getting yourself a replacement clutch pack as soon as convenient rather than waiting until you get around to getting the transmission out as Lotus have a habit of being out of stock of clutches from time to time. They were when mine needed replacing. Quote Cheers, John W http://jonwatkins.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites
optimator 0 Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 The same thing happened on my S4s on about the same day! I have looked since then for the part, but it is not available in the US. If you find a supply, please let me know. I may get one custom machined. -Glenn (lcf_guy on lotusTalk) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alan 37 Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 It happened a few years ago to me to on my S4s - worked out that the clutch was badly adjusted. With your foot to the floor on the clutch it was pushing the fork against the edge of the housing. Something to check when you fit a new one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andydclements 755 Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 The forks were redesigned twice, revision C being the third and best one. One part of the redesign was to widen it so that the bearing couldn't rotate the base plate when the fork was at nearly full deflection, they may have strengthened them as part of that design. The S4S/ Sport 300 clutch has a higher clamping force but retain the same pivot point and fork, so I suspect those are going to be more likely to brake than one that's just serving the other clutches. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ajheath 100 Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Can I join the club, 69k for mine Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Iconic Ride 267 Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Not looking to "get forked," but I'd be interested in procuring a membership application for the Gobi Desert Canoe Club. Sounds very exclusive. Quote Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose. Link to post Share on other sites
ajheath 100 Posted August 13, 2014 Report Share Posted August 13, 2014 Seek us out on Facebook John, we have a group page https://www.facebook.com/groups/132468536783095/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
optimator 0 Posted August 13, 2014 Report Share Posted August 13, 2014 It took months for me to find a replacement fork (none in US), but one was found in Germany. I suspect the clutch was mis-adjusted. Future breaks might require custom machined supply. I ended up taking out the engine & tranny to do it (long thread on lotustalk). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky 2,833 Posted August 13, 2014 Report Share Posted August 13, 2014 I'm probably going to get shot down for this, but do people know for sure that the popular Landy alternative slave cylinders are the same bore? I bet it's a contributory factor. Quote British Fart to Florida, Nude to New York, Dunce to Denmark, Numpty to Newfoundland. And Shitfaced Silly Sod to Sweden. Link to post Share on other sites
Chillidoggy 4,342 Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 Yes, they are exactly the same bore. I know 'cos I measured the original slave cylinder before I fitted the Series 2 Landy one. I checked all the dimensions with a vernier: they're the same. One thing that occurred to me is that the pushrod is (to my to my way of thinking), a little bit too short, which translates into bigger side-loading on the slave cylinder piston/bore than a longer rod. None of this helped with the fact that I think my clutch is still knackered, though! Quote Margate Exotics. Link to post Share on other sites
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