Driveshaft C.v. Joint And/Or Gaiter Replacement; Extension Shaft Support Bearing - Lotus Evora Service Notes

Lotus Service Notes
10. Lubricant: With the car on the level, top up the transmission oil to the filler/level plug hole (see above).
11. Wheel and Undertray: Refit the road wheel and undertray.

Driveshaft C.V. Joint and/or Gaiter Replacement

The outboard C.V. joint is supplied complete with main driveshaft to which it is fixed by a spline with a small
helix angle to eliminate any potential backlash. Separation of the shaft from the joint should not be attempted.
Replacement of the outboard joint gaiter entails removal of the complete driveshaft assembly from the car, and
separation of the inboard joint from the shaft.
1. Remove the driveshaft assembly from the car (see above).
2. Remove the clips securing the inboard joint gaiter without damaging the gaiter if it is to be re-used. Pull the
gaiter off the joint outer body and match mark the body to the joint spider before disengaging the joint.
3. Match mark the inboard joint spider to the shaft before removing the snap ring from the end of the shaft,
and withdrawing the spider assembly.
4. Slide the inboard gaiter off the shaft, remove the outboard gaiter clips and slide off the outboard gaiter.
5. Inspection & Cleaning: Complete disassembly of either joint is NOT recommended. The separate com-
ponents are a precision fit and develop their own individual wear patterns, such that any interchanging or
re-orientation of parts is likely to result in premature failure.
If the grease in the joint is contaminated with dirt or water, it is likely that the joint is damaged, and should
be replaced. If the grease is not contaminated, the joint should be degreased by soaking in a suitable
solvent (NOT petrol), and then carefully inspected. Tilt the ball type inner race or spider rollers to one
side to expose each driving surface. Severe pitting, galling, play between ball and its cage window, any
cracking or damage to the cage, or pitting, galling or chips in raceways, call for joint replacement.
If the joint is found to be serviceable, it must be repacked with the special grease provided. Pack the
grease into the joint itself and also into the inside of the new gaiter.
NOTE: The grease provided in the kits is specially formulated for wear resistance and durability. DO NOT
use substitutes or mix with other lubricants. The grease specification and quantity also differs for inboard
and outboard joints:
Inboard: 180g NKG302
Outboard: 180g NTG2218-M (inboard grease is also supplied in outboard kits, as the inboard joint must
be removed before fitting outboard gaiter)
6. Slide the new outboard gaiter and smaller retaining clip onto the shaft. Fit the gaiter into the grooves on
the outboard joint body and the driveshaft, and secure with the clips provided.
7. Slide the new inboard gaiter and retaining clips onto the driveshaft. Press the spider onto the driveshaft
splines with the match marks aligned, and retain with a new snap ring.
8. Fit the spider into the inboard joint body with the match marks aligned, position the gaiter in the loctation
grooves, and retain with the new clips.
9. Refit the driveshaft to the car (see above).

Extension Shaft Support Bearing

The ball bearing supporting the RH driveshaft extension shaft to the engine block is mounted in a housing
which is bolted to a bracket on the engine block. The bearing is sealed and maintenance free, and is included
as part of the inboard C.V. joint assembly, but may if necessary be renewed by the following procedure:
1. Remove the RH driveshaft assembly (see above).
2. Using a press, remove the dust shield from the inboard end of the shaft.
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Section FL