CharlieCroker

Hi chaps, Anyone know the correct type number for the girling 3 pot, not the serial number but type number? Cheers

Yeah agreed, the upright failed and not the trunnion and now I have something to compare it to, it was fk'ing knackered I mean the kit Dan supplied is literally as new, the threads of the uprights are as sharp as the day they were cut. Regarding the upright I left with the engineer, I'm still waiting to hear. However don't anybody fret, as on the way back I past lotusbits and they had a box full of new sparkling uprights sitting in the corner, so you could change for new if you need too. Yeah, I posted those photos with intent, I knew I'd be in line for a mauling but honestly, how many of you went straight out and checked your trunnions, a fair few I bet?! All good and we've all learned what not to do, should I have changed them in the first place, undoubtedly yes, but I have no regrets, Charlie and the Panther live on. Next up my vented brake disc conversion...

Just been down to see Dan (eclat22) who has supplied, well basically given me the parts needed to get the panther back up and running in no time. As far as I know he had these from Spyder, with an early PNM vented disc conversion? I'll let him confirm the details, but I'm over the moon to have found something so soon at an incredible price. On the way back I stopped off at lotus bits to pick a few bits and pieces so should be able to make a start at reassembly this week. Seeing as the discs are now thicker in width I may look into a wilwood 4 pot caliper to upgrade the braking. All good fun and another challenge to keep me busy in the next few weeks. Dan, you are a star for helping a brother out in need. All the best, Charlie ;-)

I've left the old upright with the engineering firm, let them work out what material is best. I'm not fussed at all, all part of the trials and tribulations of owning an old lotus, infact I bloody love the challenges it throughs up at me. I'd admit, when I was looking at her with a wheel hanging off the words 'loads of trouble... started ringing about my head! There's all sorts of ups and downs in life and owning a lotus is small fry to what you could face, so get things fixed and back out on the road, she'll be back out prowling sooner than you think.

I'm currently looking at all the necessary parts I need to rebuild the front, will be a 1000 times better I'm sure. It is what it is, it failed in the real world and not at the time of mot, easy to point fingers after the event and all the parts are disassembled and on a bench and under forensic examination. As long as my photos and post help point out to others potential areas of failure, that can't be a bad thing. On a brighter note, Dan (eclat22) has offered me the necessary parts needed to get me back up and running sooner rather than later. I'll take this on the chin and move forward.

I managed to unwind the remainder of the upright bolt, anyone having doubts that my setup is to blame should have a look at this, the corrosion is damming. It's totally pitted, has thread wear along one side and has rusted badly. I'm no metal forensic expert but it doesn't take a genius to work this one out. I've also been in touch with an engineering firm to see if they can remanufacture the upright using modern fabrication techniques, 3d printing and the latest technology, maybe there is a better solution out there, we'll see.

Clean break just above the thread. From the research that I'm doing I believe that the trunnion was poorly maintained and is showing a break exactly as you would expect, using grease doesn't always get lubrication to the top of the thread as grease can get blocked at the bottom of the feed tube, and with a poorly fitting seal water can sit at the top of the thread and corrode and weaken it ever so slightly but enough over the years . I out found this morning, further endorsement to using oil rather than grease for this very reason, oil can flow up the to the top of the thread so much easier than grease, did lotus say use grease or oil, would like to know. Another question that springs to mind, if this is a weak area, and had been know for a long while in the lotus fraternity, why isn't someone making an upgraded kit, would be a win all round if a kit was available, esprit, eclat, elite we'd all need the upgrade right? I really don't think my air ride has been the problem here on two fronts, the front geometry has simply not changed, other than an airbag which replaces the spring but in exactly the same location and taking the force at the same point as an original spring. The only extra force on the front setup, if anything would be when the car raises. I've also read on more than a few occasions that the break happens at relatively low speeds and in turning (not saying it can't happen at speed) but more than a few people relating to a low speed corner when it snaps, exactly what happened in my case. This is a good warning to anyone, make sure the trunnions are maintained correctly, any doubt change for new.

Look at the state of these! Anti roll bar bushes practically disintegrated, I cant tell if they are meant to be one piece or split conical pieces that go either side of the lower control arm? And here's the culprit trunnion, seen better days me thinks.

Really appreciate the advice chaps and after some frantic research today I'm swaying away from the canley option. I'm looking at staying stock as my failure is 99.9% due to fatigue and poorly maintained trunnions by the previous owners, I've done what I can with them but they were well past their sell by date. As you can imagine my confidence is shot at the moment and I was hoping to find a stronger solution, but correctly maintained trunnions should not fail so I'm sure that is the best way to go.

Just read on a triumph forum, never ever grease trunnions only use ep80/90, really?

Been busy today, taken aoart my front end and I'm glad to report no major damage, could have been so much worse on so many levels. Anyway, back to the problem, I'm now totally convinced that fatigue and old trunnions are the cause of failure, but what to do? New uprights and new trunnions or go for the canley ckassic upgrade (not a direct fit) or have something stronger engineered? I've been talking to an engineer friend of mine and he wants to look into making a stronger upright machined rather than cast so that may be an option. In the mean time I'm researching to see if there are any stronger options out there, anyone kniw if pnm engineering make an upgrade, been trying to call but he's an elusive fella.

I see Spyder do an upgrade? http://www.spydercars.co.uk/lotus-elite-eclat-front-suspension-steering/ So gutted I missed the show, least I'm hear to tell the tale! Not an easy fix then?

It probably hasn't helped but I believe that a 40 year old upright and trunnion had seen their day in all honesty, similar to my drive shaft unions that were knackered due to old age and sitting around for years. It is a problem for owners with trunnions, gt6 spitfire seem to suffer the same sort of history with failed uprights. There's that cranley upgrade, dunno if that is a real option, but I need to find something strong and reliable.

Day I want to forget but I'm in 1 piece, the panther is down, temporarily certainly not out. So lucky I didn't rip the front wing off, and I'm here to tell the tale. She's down for now but we'll be back soon, this Toyota conversion, what's that all about then? Oh and I've got a redneck suntan whwre I was stuck in the sun all friggin day! Anyone who had issues, hope you get back sooner rather than later, Charlie ;-)

What a day, from being all optimistic looking forward to the show to total gutted in the space of second. As soon as it went, I knew that was that. Have to say on this occasion the AA were absolutely amazing. Had a guy out to me in under half hour, then a load loader out in an hiur from that, with a guy who absolutely knew his game. Totally sympathetic to the situation, never swore once and help me get it back into my garage at what ever it took. In all honesty I'm lucky it happened at 5mph pulling into the station and not 70mph on the motorway. To that point she was totally singing a humming tune all the way down, every dial where it needed to be and driving lovely. Absolutely gutted to have missed tge show after so many hours in the garage, I even greased the fduck out of those trunnions as you know. Not gunna let this dampen my spirits as the car has minimal damge, literally just the trunnion that gave way, every other component is in tact and can be used again. I will be looking for any suggestions in any upgraded options so pkease feel free to post your ideas, ia anyone making an upgrade for the elite? Gutted, totally gutted.

Bad news chaps, my trunnion gave way on me at oxford services, ain't gunna make the show. The Panther is down.

Shall we synchronise our watches? http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fcpGQ2x5XGs/Tdq5VOojW4I/AAAAAAAAEkM/JIxzzEE17KA/s1600/14203878824.jpg[\IMG]

Anyone from Lotus Staffordshire or above going to the festival next Sunday, could run down in convoy safety in numbers and all that?! Pm me to let me know.

They won't stay down permanently on the vacuum system, only when the engine is on right? If you want to have full control of the up/down you'll have to do the mx5 conversion, haven't regretted doing mine for one second, up or down when I want and for how long as I want. Couldn't tell you what those wires are, had a few left over on mine!

Afternoon chaps, anyone know the correct thread size of the front wheel trunnion grease nipple? To make life easier I'm positive a 45 degree bend on the nipple would be a massive help and I'd like to source new, thanks.

Looking really good, cam cover painting is definitely up there with the most satisfying jobs on the list, looking forward to seeing you progress.

Quick update, spent most of the day in the garage today going through greasing every union, trunion and what ever else I could find. Drained and refilled the gearbox, diff and enfine oil, checked water levels and ps fluid. I've gone through every nut and bolt in the front and rear suspension marking them with tipex as I go. I've literally done everything I can possibly do to the car now and would say it probably as good as it has ever been. No more immediate plans, this year just a case of keeping her on the road and hopefully I can get through the show season without any major issues. Happy Sunday, Charlie ;-)

You guys! You love to dangle the carrot don't you, we'll see, no change this year for sure. See you soon...

You know I love a good chat about engines and all that but quite honestly I've just been out and around town and the rumble, splattering and shere thunder (in tunnels) of the 907 is hypnotic, why would I want to change it! I'm my own worst enemy at times, maybe the Panther should be left now untouched, saved for prosperity, into the annuals of history. Time for a new project? The sound is so disco it's unreal, a 70s timewarp, I suspect removing the center box, addind the cheerybombs and no air filter have all helped make a stupendous noise, it certainly has the entrance factor I've always wanted. Listen, when you're pulling hard on the boulevard the sound is mental, the looks are worth their weight in gold and the amount to supercar owners that hang back in fear of being overshadowed is priceless. For now and the foreseeable future I think the Panther will keep her pounding Lotus heart ;-)