CV Joint Flanges

[TCS4605R]

I have been talking with Dave at Lotus-Supplies in England regarding CV joint flanges to fit the output shafts of the 365 transaxle.  I'm planning to convert to CV joints at both ends of each half shaft.  Dave says Richard does not stock these any more but will make them for 500 to 550 British pounds per set - this is $630 to $693 at today's exchange rate.  If anyone is interested, Richard may get the price down if we have enough demand - anyone interested?

Tom
74 TCS - 4605R

[SwiftDB4]

Did you notice my post June 23 and Private message Tom? Photos of pair of CV flanges to Renault splines $400.
Dave Miller

[jbcollier]

http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=3828.msg40618#msg40618

[TCS4605R]

Dave - I did see your email.  I have also been talking with Richard about having him supply the half shafts and stub axles for the CV joint conversion for a complete system less the new upper link that I can make.

Tom

[andy harwood]

Interesting. Would that be his stub axle with a UJ, or a stub axle using a CVJ?

[TCS4605R]

Andy - I'm looking for a stub axle with a CV joint flange.

Tom

[andy harwood]

That would be nice - a "drop-in" kit from Richard. Have you any indication that he's interested in producing some?

[TCS4605R]

Andy,

Still talking with Dave at Lotus Supplies.  Would you or anyone else be interested?

Tom

[BDA]

I would probably be interested somewhere down the line but I'm not able to do anything for a while. I am anxious to have a proper hardened stub axle though.

I have a spare set of internal CV Joints. I wonder if the splines could be cut off and welded to some VW CV Joint flanges and make a straight VW setup from there?

[andy harwood]

I probably would have considered a Banks "drop in kit" if it was available when I started my project. As it stands, I have all the parts, and have done most of the fettling, I think, using the VW bits. The VW bits are inexpensive, durable. I know of one conversion that was done that worked out. I purchased the Banks NG3 CVJ output flanges as I was purchasing a NG3 from him, and it was easier than chasing that down and having them done here.

[BDA]

Looking more closely at Dave's CV joint setup, it appears to be what I was thinking about. The splined "collars" from a Renault CV joint are cut off and welded to a VW or some more generic flange. Using VW CV joints there allows you to use VW parts for most of the rest which means you'd have double CV joints but more importantly, stronger stub axles.

Now, if there was a way to get just the splined "collars"...

[GavinT]

If I recall, Richard Mann used an early BMW 2002 stub axle and Alfetta drive shafts with an adaptor to the BMW stub.
I wonder if the BMW stub axle is compatible with a VW CV joint?

I don't know what he used for the transaxle output flange.

[BDA]

I think you're right. He is credited with the design on the Lotus Europa Central page (http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/index.htm#suspensn). I might note that there is also a Corvair stub axle conversion but I suspect they are probably a bit harder to find.

[SwiftDB4]

BMW does use the same type Lobro CV joint as VW, however I believe there are 3 different size Lobro joints.

[Brian Robins]

Why re-invent the wheel ? (no pun intended) Spyder Cars already supply a kit to do this as do Kelvedon Lotus. Sue Miller has a double CV joint conversion for the Elan and possibly the Europa and don't forget the Renault Fuego had a double CV joint set up as it was front wheel drive so the shafts did both the drive and steering.