Lotus Europa Community

Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Runningwild on Monday,October 05, 2015, 01:34:48 PM

Title: Removing the front bearing dust cover
Post by: Runningwild on Monday,October 05, 2015, 01:34:48 PM

I'm starting to rebuild the front suspension on my 68 Europa S2.  How do these dust overs come off?  Can't believe I can't figure it out. The car sat in a collection for 32 years and nothing is rusted.  Any help would be appreciated. Manual gives no clue.  What am I missing?   Thanks. Tom

Title: Re: Removing the front bearing dust cover
Post by: RoddyMac on Monday,October 05, 2015, 01:40:44 PM

Are you referring to the dust cap on the hub?  If so, a pair of special pliers works a treat. Failing that thread a sheet metal screw into the hole and grab the screw with a pair of vice grips and pull the cap off, or you could pry it out with a screw driver.  Most of the time I've replaced the caps following servicing the bearings.

Title: Re: Removing the front bearing dust cover
Post by: Runningwild on Monday,October 05, 2015, 01:43:20 PM

Thanks. Seems there was a hole in the dust cover already. Should have been the clue I was looking for. I'll do new covers when I'm done. Thanks a lot.  Tom

Title: Re: Removing the front bearing dust cover
Post by: 4129R on Monday,October 05, 2015, 02:15:39 PM

I just screw a large self tapping screw into the hole in the middle and the screw acts as a hub puller giving even push out all round.

The cover is re-useable,and grease cannot leak out of the hole in the middle due to centrifugal force when the wheel is rotating.

Title: Re: Removing the front bearing dust cover
Post by: BDA on Monday,October 05, 2015, 04:25:01 PM

I had a 10-32 nut tacked in the dust cover so I could do the self-tapping screw trick - but with a machine screw instead. I'm sure both work as well, but I didn't think of using a self tapping screw.

Title: Re: Removing the front bearing dust cover
Post by: ezuskin on Tuesday,October 06, 2015, 06:24:30 PM

Sounds less elegant but I've used hammer and chisel and gently tapped around it to work it loose. You guys are too sophisticated for me

Title: Re: Removing the front bearing dust cover
Post by: BDA on Tuesday,October 06, 2015, 08:17:43 PM

Maybe we just don't have your gentle touch!  ;D

Title: Re: Removing the front bearing dust cover
Post by: EuropaTC on Tuesday,October 06, 2015, 10:21:04 PM

Quote from: ezuskin on Tuesday,October 06, 2015, 06:24:30 PM

Sounds less elegant but I've used hammer and chisel and gently tapped around it to work it loose. You guys are too sophisticated for me

:)

I use a small screwdriver myself but after the reasoned & elegant engineering posts I thought I'd better keep quiet about it   :-[

Brian

Title: Re: Removing the front bearing dust cover
Post by: jbcollier on Wednesday,October 07, 2015, 05:52:02 AM

That's all I ever use myself as well.

Title: Re: Removing the front bearing dust cover
Post by: Nick in Beds on Thursday,October 08, 2015, 05:54:55 AM

I am embarrased to say that I butchered mine with pliers .... but they are only a couple of quid from Banks !!

Title: Re: Removing the front bearing dust cover
Post by: BDA on Thursday,October 08, 2015, 06:59:39 AM

Don't feel bad. They look like they were designed to be as difficult to take off as possible!

Title: Re: Removing the front bearing dust cover
Post by: Runningwild on Thursday,October 08, 2015, 06:12:25 PM

Thanks for all the comments. I got the dust cover off by tapping all the way around it with a hammer.