New Member - Essex, UK

[spike_tt]

 
My wife has christened her 'Lottie' and she joined the family on Thursday.

Not roadworthy at the moment as she has some issues.
 - No brakes at all.  PO suggested leaking brake servo.
 - Very difficult to select gears.  PO didn't mention this but judging by invoices there seem to have been several attempts to rectify it in the recent past.
 - Various small electrical issues.

So plenty to keep me occupied

[TurboFource]

 

[rjbaren]

Looks like a real beauty.  Welcome to the forum.  The brain trust here is outstanding and very willing to help.  Good luck getting her going.

[BDA]

She looks like a really good platform for a restoration! Keep us informed about your progress!

[Bainford]

Welcome, Spike. Very nice looking Europa. Good luck getting her sorted, lots of advice on the forum if/when needed. Cheers 

[4129R]

I had to change the clutch pressure plate to cure my gear selection problem. It took me ages to find the problem. Now no problems at all.

A sloppy gear linkage is the other possibility.

[spike_tt]

I had to change the clutch pressure plate to cure my gear selection problem. It took me ages to find the problem. Now no problems at all.

A sloppy gear linkage is the other possibility.

Thanks for that.  All the work that's been done so far attempting to resolve the gear selection problem has been to the gear linkage.  I see a lot of new shiny parts there!

I did wonder about the clutch.  Can I rule out the gearbox itself as the culprit?  I'd really like to do that!

But... another comment from OP was... "Pre load on diff bearings needs adjusting"

[BDA]

You could disconnect the shift linage at the tranny and try to move the selector shaft by hand (this may be best done while someone pushes on the clutch pedal). You should be able to all your gears that way.

I think the linkage is the most likely culprit. Start at the gear shift lever and eliminate any slop. Adjustment is also important.

You should adjust your diff bearings before you go very far. Somewhere on this forum, there are some instructions on how to do it. You'll need a diff wrench. One can be made from a PVC pipe terminator. Don't try to turn it by hitting the ears with anything because they will break off.

[S2Zetec54]

 

Love the car…good luck

[GavinT]

But... another comment from OP was... "Pre load on diff bearings needs adjusting"

Be careful here.
If the PO means the output shafts need re-shimming, that can be done easily.
If he actually means the diff pre-load, that's a gearbox out situation.

Are you still in touch with the PO?

[spike_tt]

No longer in touch with the PO.

I just read through the recent invoices again and found "Investigate play in driveshafts, undo driveshafts from output shafts, correct shims already fitted, play appears to be in transmission, refit driveshafts".

So that's a gearbox out job then I suppose.

[spike_tt]

Wow, I just found the "Lotus Europa Twin Cam Gear Shifter Challenge"  (http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/misc/transmission/tc_shifter.html)

What a resource!  Now I'm itching to get out and start working through it.  Sadly, I have other work that actually pays the bills which is more pressing

[jbcollier]

Do not drive the car until you sort the transaxle.  You will have to pull and disassemble the transaxle.  You need to check that the diff is properly shimmed first and then set the diff bearing preload and ring/pinion play correctly.

[spike_tt]

Thanks for the warning jbcollier.  That's probably a job I'll have outsource when the time comes.

Right now just getting the car in and out of the garage is a pain when it's so tough to find a gear.

[4129R]

When the gearbox in out, change the clutch pressure plate and driven plate. You won't regret it.