CharlieCroker Posted March 3, 2016 Report Share Posted March 3, 2016 Sjs sell them, had two on my esprit, nice bit of detail. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted March 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2016 MOT fail Looks like when I had the driveshaft u-joint issues last year it damaged one of the bearings in the rear diff, meaning there's a little movement of the whole driveshaft/brake drum assembly. And as the driveshaft is part of the suspension on the Eclat, it's testable. And after quickly scanning the manual, it looks like replacing the bearing is going to mean the whole rear diff has to be dropped, which is a huge pain. At least I'll be able to switch the propshaft u-joints while I'm at it. Any thoughts on other things I should look to replace while the diff is off the car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieCroker Posted March 4, 2016 Report Share Posted March 4, 2016 Shame it failed but at least you know where the fault is. Don't they say to change your brake cylinders while the diff is out, real pita with it in place? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted March 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2016 I think they do, yeah. I was wondering about any other diff parts that may be worth renewing while it's all apart. May as well take the opportunity to improve as well as repair. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted March 4, 2016 Report Share Posted March 4, 2016 Are you 100% sure there is play in the output bearing of the diff? Slop in the UJ's can magnify any slackness. Get underneath and give it a second opinion before committing to dropping the diff out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted March 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2016 Thanks for the thoughts. I'm pretty sure it is. The brake drum had some movement in and out which would make me think diff bearing. I will check it out this weekend and try to confirm though. Will take a video if possible and post up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbharcourt Posted March 5, 2016 Report Share Posted March 5, 2016 Uprate/replace the mounting bushes, replace the nuts and bolts and if you can stretch to it fully refurb the back brakes, shoes, cylinders, flexi pipe, handbrake cable and rod flex mounting. At the very least do the cylinders as they are almost impossible to change with the diff in and they are really cheap on ebay. This is chance to fix all the problems that come with the inboard brakes in one go! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted March 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2016 (edited) Thanks for the thoughts. The brake cylinders, shoes, adjusters, H pieces etc were done only 2 years ago so I think they should be good. Might replace the flexi pipe though, as well as handbrake cable if it's not been done recently. The lower mounting bushes didn't look too bad when they were pulled a few months ago, but the uppers are an unknown quantity so could replace them. What are the uprated options? Edited April 17, 2016 by ramjet No need to quote the post directly above yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeeech Posted March 5, 2016 Report Share Posted March 5, 2016 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Elite-1-and-series-2-Hand-Brake-Bias-Axle-Strap-/181496468156?hash=item2a420852bc:g:yXsAAOxy4~BSRWC5 This might be worth doing... The handbrake to chassis connector. Mine was knackered. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted April 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 Replaced the horn today with another air horn. I know the Elite & Eclat are made from a lot of different parts from other cars, but I wasn't expecting to see this label on the horn I removed! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfrost Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 A posh horn Quote A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted April 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 (edited) Indeed. The replacement sounds a little better, although I did wonder for a few minutes if I should keep the original horns and just switch out the compressor. Got the car taxed and took her out for the first real drive since October of last year. Overall very satisfying and handled well. The brakes felt a little juddery but after a couple of hard braking sessions that corrosion must have cleared off. Brakes feel a little sort but can't remember if that's the norm with a brake servo that works! Might just need bleeding but will see. There's still a little hesitation if I put my foot down at low rpm. Might just do a check with the Colortune and make sure I'm not running too rich. The only other thing I noticed was the voltage light got nowhere near 13V and just stayed out of the red for most of the drive. I've just checked the voltage across the battery (I know it's not the best way to test an alternator), and at idle I was getting 12.6V. When I rev the engine a little it goes up to around 13.6V. Wondering if it's the fan belt needs replacing (I've tightened it before) although there's no squealing of the belt. Hoping it's not the alternator needs replacing/repairing. This looks like a candidate for a replacement belt: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FAN-BELT-FOR-LOTUS-ECLAT-2-10-75-05-80-10AV0837-3118-/111295388969 Edited April 17, 2016 by soldave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfrost Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 Good news Dave, may be worth bleeding the brakes and getting some new fluid in her due to the hibernation period, Also pop a set of plugs in her and colour tune as you said and all should be good. Regarding your voltage volts sounds about right at raised idle, but it is when the cars under load with the heater blower and lights etc that shows the systems grafting properly or not, how olds the battery as that is another thing that does not like been left idle. Quote A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted April 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 Battery was fitted over winter so should be good. If the voltage is good I wonder why the gauge is reading so low :-/ And yeah, I might bleed the brakes just to be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM johnpwalsh Posted April 17, 2016 Gold FFM Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 23 hours ago, soldave said: Replaced the horn today with another air horn. I know the Elite & Eclat are made from a lot of different parts from other cars, but I wasn't expecting to see this label on the horn I removed! Hi Dave, those were fitted about 6 years ago when the originals failed, I then found it was the press button on the stalk that was the problem, so refitted the Maserati ones as they had a great sound. I used to fire some WD into the horns every now and again as well as some 3 in 1 oil and that always did the trick. When they go wrong they used to squeak like a mouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted April 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 20 minutes ago, johnpwalsh said: Hi Dave, those were fitted about 6 years ago when the originals failed, I then found it was the press button on the stalk that was the problem, so refitted the Maserati ones as they had a great sound. I used to fire some WD into the horns every now and again as well as some 3 in 1 oil and that always did the trick. When they go wrong they used to squeak like a mouse. Just noticed that OIL rubber bung. Yes, I am naturally blonde! And it was making a feeble mouse noise so I wonder if a bit of oil might have cured it. Might have to oil it and then rig it directly up to the battery to test it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM johnpwalsh Posted April 17, 2016 Gold FFM Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 Worth a try Dave as when they work, they are bloody loud. Oh and as for color of hair, we have all had them moments. I wont tell anyone. Hey guys have you heard this one. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted April 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Oh, and I had my first real drive with the short shifter. Really recommend this to everyone. Makes shifting precise (once you get used to it), and feels really nice. So much better than the previous stick. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieCroker Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 36 minutes ago, soldave said: Oh, and I had my first real drive with the short shifter. Really recommend this to everyone. Makes shifting precise (once you get used to it), and feels really nice. So much better than the previous stick. Where did you get IIt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted April 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 22 minutes ago, CharlieCroker said: Where did you get IIt? I believe this was the one I got. You could maybe bend it back a few degrees if you wanted, but it doesn't need it. http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mk1-Mk2-Escort-Gp4-Rally-Car-4-speed-Quickshift-Gearlever-/131767781364 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieCroker Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 How does it fit, do you need the original flanged housing to hold it in place, any photos? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted April 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 22 minutes ago, CharlieCroker said: Where did you get IIt? I believe this was the one I got. You could maybe bend it back a few degrees if you wanted, but it doesn't need it. http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mk1-Mk2-Escort-Gp4-Rally-Car-4-speed-Quickshift-Gearlever-/131767781364 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted April 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 15 minutes ago, CharlieCroker said: How does it fit, do you need the original flanged housing to hold it in place, any photos? So simple even I managed it! Take out the old stick, and this one just screws into place. All you have to do is remember to put the car in second or fourth gear first (unless you fancy dropping the mission). No pics but I can post one of the new stick in place so you can see positioning if you like. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted May 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 Well if the weather decided to be nice for more than an hour before then deciding to rain/sleet/hail then I'd be out driving more! As it is, I decided to replace the hoses on my vacuum headlamp system. Replaced the hoses but found a couple of things that surprised me. Firstly, I thought the vacuum system T'd off in the engine bay, with one hose going to the driver's vacuum pod, one to the intake manifold, and one to the passenger side headlight. Two out of three isn't too bad! The third part of the T didn't go to the headlight though - it went into the headlamp pod ahead but then seems to head back along the inner wing towards the cabin. Not quite sure where it goes but I'll leave that mystery for another day. The second thing that got me wondering is that in the headlamp pod there are two wires with spade connectors, but not connected to anything. All my lights seem to work so I'm at a bit of a loss, and the manual wiring diagram doesn't offer me any help either. Have put a picture below but the wires look to be black, and slate + black. Any ideas? As for whether my headlights will stay down now, well I checked after a couple of hours and they were still down. Will check again at the end of the day and see if the Eclat's woken up again or not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted May 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 Hmmm... five hours later and she was starting to "wake up" with headlamp open and the other rising ever so slowly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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