Following the thread with some alarm .
Are we really saying that jacking up a Plus , or an Elan , sending the drive shafts into full droop would destroy serviceable roto flex couplings?
Have we never had to change a rear wheel using the jack supplied by Lotus?
As i underdstand we are saying it’s best not to leave rear wheels drooping for a long time. Or leave them drooping when not necessary.
But for me with the CVDS Elantrikbits it’s no problem if with standard length shocks.
As for the original Lotus Jacks imho they are rubbish and just for polishing to go with original Tool Roll lol.
Alan
Fortunately I have Sue Miller CVs so straining doughnuts on full droop not a concern. After many months of researching various lift options I plumped for a full height scissor lift.
I have good sills but I don’t trust the jacking points, so after advice from another long standing forum member I copied his method of
using two lengths of 4x2 with a layer of 15mm foam glued on top to spread the weight and line them up 1/2 inch inboard of the curved sill seam for the whole length of the cill. I’ve used this for two years without the slightest creak or groan from the car and the scissor lift means no pillars and gives fantastic unhindered access to all wheel, suspension and chassis components.
Lifted on the scissor lift with rubber pads under the sills and all good. No creaks and no signs of the car exploding.
Tim
Hi smiths everest,
Same type of lift as mine. 100% no problems
Alan
I can extend the arms of my lift to pick up the chassis (frame) just behind the front wheels. I use the ends of the sills at the rear.
I figure if anything is going to fall out, I figure its going to be the engine and gearbox end of the frame.
The lift came from Automotec (Chinese) and was very reasonable. A lot of steel for the price. Overall well made, but a couple of welds needed dressing that were fouling the hydraulic rams.
It cost a lot less than I paid to have part of the garage floor replaced and reinforced.
Hi Lee,
Yes i have looked at the EZlift and it does look a nice bit of kit and I did about 12months ago seriously consider a secondhand one that some on here was selling but the EZ lift is really quite expensive here in the UK and the additional accessories needed to make it work on a +2 I decided was prohibitive for me.
Midrise scissor lifts seem to come in various sizes and measurements so I personally think if you can perhaps find a model variation that suits your Elan or +2 then they can be made to work ok with some fiddling around if and providing you have CV’s fitted. …And that is the very big issue that I see!..The thought of distorted Rotoflexes hanging out of shape for hours/days on end and the consequences that must bring to a Rotoflex joint just gives me the shudders. It just cannot do them any good and cannot help but really shorten their life.
I like having Rotoflexes on my +2 and this issue I cannot for the life of me come to terms with and it definitely stops me from buying a scissor lift.
Maybe one day if I live long enough though I will see the light and convert my car to CV’s?
Alan.
Alan,
I do understand. I forgot you don’t live in the US where the EZcarlift is manufactured making the lift very expensive for British and European Lotus owners. I hope you’ll eventually find a solution for your issue with the Rotoflexes.
Lee