Lotus 2004 ELISE Service Notes page 98

Lotus Service Notes
- Do not operate the car without the exhaust silencer heatshielding correctly fitted, and incorporating heat-
shields for the toe-link inboard ball joints.
- Press the brake pedal to reposition the pads before driving the car.
- If the car suffers a suspension impact sufficient to damage a wheel rim, careful attention should be paid
to all related suspension components. Such forces can cause stretching of the lower ball pin and conse-
quent fixing nut torque loss. As a safety precaution, it is recommended that in all such cases, the lower
ball joint and the two bolts securing the upper ball joint plinth to the hub carrier are renewed, together with
both toe-link ball joints.
The Service Schedule specifies that the security of the front and rear suspension is checked at each service.
For cars used on race tracks, or in similar conditions, suspension components and torque checks should be
carried out between sessions. This operation requires that all the principal suspension pivot bolts are torque
checked, noting the following points:
Where a bolt is tapped into a housing or weldnut, and relies on a thread locking compound for security, be
aware that if the bolt is disturbed, the locking compound must be re-applied. The following procedure should
be adopted for all such fixings:
- Check the torque of the fixing.
- If the specified torque is attained without the fixing being disturbed (moving), take no further action.
- If the bolt moves, the locking action of the thread adhesive will have been compromised. Remove the
bolt completely, clean off all old adhesive using a wire brush and acetone, and apply new adhesive as
specified.
- Refit the bolt and tighten to the specified torque.
If for any reason a bolt is found to have become loose, and the car has been operated for any period in
this condition, the bolt should be renewed as a standard precaution and related components carefully
inspected for hole ovality or wear.
At every service interval, the toe-link should be checked for free articulation by using a spanner on the flats
of the link and twisting in both directions. The torque required to articulate the joints should be little more
than may be applied by hand. If any joint is found to be seized or tight (or if any free play is evident), the
joint should be renewed. At each service, the toe-link inboard pivot should be torque checked to allow for
any settling of the ball joint orientation flats into the galvanised subframe groove.
Torque Settings:
- Upper and lower wishbone pivot bolts
- Upper and lower swivel joint ball pins
- Upper swivel joint plinth to hub carrier - 8.8 grade
- Toe-link outer ball joint to hub carrier
- Toe-link inner ball joint/wishbone to subframe
- Toe-link ball joint lock nuts
- Damper to lower wishbone
- Damper to chassis
- Brake caliper to hub carrier
- Hub bearing unit to hub carrier
- Rear hub nut
DH.4 - REAR WHEEL BEARINGS
The sealed rear wheel bearings are contained in a steel housing secured to the hub carrier with three
'Torx' bolts. The double row, angular contact, ball bearing is retained in the outer housing and also onto the hub
spigot by a shoulder and a peening operation, and is inseperable for service. Note that all four hub assemblies
are common, and incorporate a wheel speed sensor in the bearing unit, with a flying lead terminating in an
electrical connector plug secured by a camber shim plate bracket.
If there is found to be any discernible free play in the hub bearing, or any roughness or tight spots can be
felt, or any signs of lubricant expulsion are evident, the hub assembly should be replaced - there is no provi-
sion for adjustment.
- 10.9 grade
- upper M10
- lower M8
Nm
45
55
45
68
55
60
45
45
45
45 - 50
26 - 30
90
220
Section DH
Page 9