Lotus Elise Service Notes page 276

Driveshaft Replacement
Removing a driveshaft from the transmission will result in some loss of transmission lubricant. It may be
preferred to drain off some oil via the transmission drain plug beforehand.
1. Remove the transmission drain plug and drain off approximately 1 litre of oil into a clean container for re-
2. Remove the rear road wheel.
3. Before attempting to release the driveshaft hub nut, first use a punch to knock the distorted end of the nut
clear of the driveshaft slot. Apply the parking brake and release the driveshaft hub nut.
4. Remove the wheel speed sensor from its plinth to prevent damage during driveshaft removal.
5. To allow the hub carrier to be leant outwards and provide room for the driveshaft to be withdrawn from the
transmission and hub, remove the bolt securing the toe link to the hub carrier and remove the two bolts
securing the top ball joint plinth to the hub carrier, taking note of the shim pack fitted between plinth and
carrier.
6. The inboard C.V. joint is retained in the transmission by a rounded section circlip, and may be removed
using a special wedge tool T000T1276, or by applying a shock pull to the C.V. joint body Using a slide
hammer with a forked end.
CAUTION: Do NOT attempt to remove the inboard C.V. joint from the transmission by pulling on the
driveshaft. This action will cause the joint to become disassembled and may entail replacement of the
joint. The components of the inboard plunging joint are held in position, for transit purposes only, by a
collar within the boot which will be overidden if excessive axial force is used. Apply pressure only to the
'tulip' or outer body of the joint.
Withdraw the inboard C.V. joint from the transmission, taking great care not to damage the output seal,
and fit blanking plug T000T1385 into the transmission to limit the amount of transmission oil loss.
7. Withdraw the driveshaft from the hub using a puller if necessary, and remove the driveshaft assembly
from the car.
8. Before re-fitting a driveshaft, first renew the round section circlip (A100R6001F) on the end of the inboard
joint spigot shaft, and lubricate the circlip with grease. Also, check the condition of the transmission
output seal, and renew if necessary. Lubricate the lip of the seal with transmission oil, and grease the
corresponding shoulder on the driveshaft (C.V. joint) spigot, to reduce the danger of damaging the seal on
assembly.
use.
Special tool T000T1390
9. A special tool T000T1390 is available to
protect the seal during driveshaft fitment,
and should always be used with the more
vulnerable early type seal (see above).
Carefully insert the driveshaft
through the seal protector until it engages
in the splines of the differential output
gear.
Check first that the tool is clean and
undamaged before fully inserting into the
oil seal. Check that the split joint in the
tool is butted correctly.
To use the tool:
Remove the protector tool by pull-
ing over the shaft.
ITml
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