Lotus Europa Community

Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Clifton on Wednesday,July 10, 2024, 04:12:06 PM

Title: "Operation Air Tight" Steering column seal
Post by: Clifton on Wednesday,July 10, 2024, 04:12:06 PM
Ok, it will never be air tight but...

This is what I did for the steering, brake, and clutch. I use Ace Hardware 1.5" x 1/16" neoprene washers. The two plates make adjusting the washer easy. The firewall plate side has 1/8" think foam tape. I used U nuts so I can finally not strip the holes or have loose panel pins. Lotus kind of hacked the hole making the plate larger but it works. 
Title: Re: "Operation Air Tight" Steering column seal
Post by: Footer on Wednesday,July 10, 2024, 04:27:26 PM
Nicely done
Title: Re: "Operation Air Tight" Steering column seal
Post by: jbcollier on Wednesday,July 10, 2024, 05:44:11 PM
https://sealsit.com/product/split-grommet-seal-2-piece/
Title: Re: "Operation Air Tight" Steering column seal
Post by: Dilkris on Thursday,July 11, 2024, 12:18:02 AM
Nicely done

 :I-agree: Very tidy. 
Title: Re: "Operation Air Tight" Steering column seal
Post by: Clifton on Thursday,July 11, 2024, 04:49:04 AM
https://sealsit.com/product/split-grommet-seal-2-piece/

I bought a 3" OD seals-it. It wouldn't cover the butcher hole and it lacks any adjustment.
Title: Re: "Operation Air Tight" Steering column seal
Post by: jbcollier on Friday,July 12, 2024, 10:48:34 AM
They also have 4” OD and blank.

What you have done looks great.  Just pointing out other available options.
Title: Re: "Operation Air Tight" Steering column seal
Post by: Clifton on Friday,July 12, 2024, 11:17:32 AM
I saw the 4" blank and they have a cones too. I spent all the time looking for something that had some room for error.  The seals-it are better for running wire, hoses though. If I am off an 1/8" on my mounting holes with a seals-it, it will have some strain as it's not centered. My way, I can be off but still locate the seal dead center before tightening and sandwiching it. I bought 2 Vintage Air Grommets too. $40 shipped for all 3  that I won't use  :headbanger:

I found this guy too but the lack of hole ID specs was a deal killer.
https://jjsrods.com/
Title: Re: "Operation Air Tight" Steering column seal
Post by: TurboFource on Friday,July 12, 2024, 06:09:50 PM
I just used another left over piece of closed cell neoprene foam…