Rear Shaft Movement

[jbcollier]

That's the one.

[cazman]

Thanks all.

[Bainford]

Keep us posted on your progress. I'm curious to know how you get on, any issues you encounter along the way.

[cazman]

I have read the Lotus manual. Although I do not think this is beyond me, I wouldn't mind having someone go though it. I suppose it is hard to find anyone that works on these.

[Dilkris]

Cazman,
Take your time - you will be OK. Many people on this forum have been where you are so help and guidance will abound. I have many photo's (as do others I'm sure) of when I went into my 365. Challenging part was removing the 5th gear assembly and speedo drive to access the rear plate, once that is off, you are home and dry. Good luck 

[jbcollier]

You can find the Renault transaxle parts manual here:

http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/misc/r17_trans.pdf

You can find R17 service manuals on ebay.  They cover transmission overhaul in depth with lots of diagrams.  Highly recommend you pick one up.  If not, I can copy the pages from mine.  Yes, it is that important.

[cazman]

I will look. Thanks.

[cazman]

If the pin is in place, not broken, then the tranny has to come out and the diff spider and side gears shimmed up or replaced.  There should be virtually no in/out movement of the output shafts.  Your video clearly shows a lot of movement.

I spoke to someone that has rebuilt these and he suggested that I tighten up the outside output shaft nuts (with the fins) to see if that takes up the slack. He says it may be only that. Is this worth a try?

[jbcollier]

You can't move those without the tranny out and the bell housing off.  Those two set the diff carrier bearing preload and the ring/pinion backlash.

[cazman]

You can't move those without the tranny out and the bell housing off.  Those two set the diff carrier bearing preload and the ring/pinion backlash.

We are talking about these, right?

[jbcollier]

Yes

[cazman]

Why would the bell housing need to come off to turn these in?

[Pfreen]

The pinion and ring gear are accessible with the bell housing off to measure ring gear to pinion backlash.

Figure 55 of the transmission section of the manual.  The manual also tells you how to set the bearing play.

Essentially, the driver's side nut with the seal sets the ring gear position and the passenger side nut with the seal sets the bearing play.

If you have questions, give me a call Rick.

[jbcollier]

The two adjusters work on the diff carrier (ring gear).  Unless you take off the bell housing you have no way of knowing what you are doing.

[cazman]

So, I tried the easy method first. I tightened the passenger side nut as pfreen suggested. It seemed loose.

I got zero movement, then put a bit of preload on. Reshimmed all and I think that I am good. No more ill movement in the suspension.

I'll see, of course, in the Spring.