1974 Elite Jacking Points

[algirdas]

Dear All:

 

Since I am a new owner of a 1974 Lotus Elite, I am just starting the early stages of learning my way around the car.  Having studied the manual, I see no mention of either jacking points or places to set jack stands.  Any suggestions?

 

Sincerely,

 

Algirdas

[esprit s2]

Jacking points are just behind the front wheel arch and just in front of the rear wheel arch. Use a small piece of wood to spread the load.

[Denis247]

Jacking points are just behind the front wheel arch and just in front of the rear wheel arch. Use a small piece of wood to spread the load.

I prefer jacking under the chassis and lifting everything, rather than lifting the body and having the chassis/engine hanging off it.

 

For the rear I use under the diff with a piece of wood spanning the 2 supports, and for the front under the suspension towers.

[algirdas]

Dear Paul:

 

Thank you.  I can't wait to see what sort of surprises are awaiting me with a car that has not run for over eight years.

 

Sincerely,

 

Algirdas

Dear Denis:

 

I was lifting the car yesterday from the diff (the brakes had seized up, but I was able to break one well loose), but still don't know where best to place jack stands in the rear.

 

Sincerely,

 

Algirdas

[Dunc]

At the front, the best place for the scissor jack is the chassis, accessed from the front and using the super long scissor jack handle Lotus provided for this purpose.

 

I have read about jacking it on the glassfibre of the wheelarch. Mine now has a small crack in the paint above the front wheelarch from doing this.

 

Jack the chassis - every time.

 

I use a trolley jack under the diff at the back, and I start it off with the scissor jack under the chassis to begin, then lift it with the trolley jack.

[mat grant]

I agree - I'm too scared to put a conventional jack under the jacking points, I finally got round to getting a decent high lift hydraulic jack with low height, and it can do the front (under crossmember with a big piece of wood) and the rear (under diff with a smaller piece of wood) easily and in one go, before I had to faff about with a low jack then the hydraulic as it wouldn't fit under the front.

 

It does mean I'll have to think of something when it comes to actually going a long way on the road with this car - my car didn't come with a jack at all - does anyone have a picture of the Lotus scissor jack and the "super long handle"? Can it lift the rear as well as the front?

 

Cheers, Mat.

[Don.Hasi]

Hello Algirdas

 

nice to see you here again

 

Concerning the jacking points: have a look here: http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/64398-massive-front-body-cracks/?view=findpost&p=501300&hl=crack

 

It seems to be clever to jack only on chassi points

 

Don

[CharlieCroker]

What Denis said.