moving on

Body parts, seats, dash, headlining, windows and stuff!

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andy brad
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Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2014 14:38
Model: excel celebration
Colour: green/black
Year: 1991
Location: south wales uk

moving on

Post by andy brad »

Both window motors replaced yesterday spacers made on the lathe.
Todays job all the seats out ready for carpets to go in after head cloth for the second time gets replaced. and the re stitching of the top of the rear seats that may take a while. still have not found where the plastic spacer is of on earlier posts wasted time removing the wiper motor again to check it was not fitted as a spacer on the wheel box.

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rbgosling
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Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 22:55
Model: Lotus Excel SE
Colour: Midnight Blue
Year: 1990
Location: Rugby

Re: moving on

Post by rbgosling »

Don't know if you've had seats out before, but for some inexplicable reason the factory used conventional hex-head bolts which are a bugger to try and stop turning with the nut - particularly if the nut is well rusted to them, which of course it will be. One or two I could only remove by angle grinding the nut off.

I can STRONGLY recommend replacing them with socket-head, stainless bolts when the seats go back in, along with stainless nyloc nuts.
"Farmer" Richard

1990 Lotus Excel SE (Lilith)
2022 MG MG5 EV (not due to be a classic for quite a few years...)
2011 Nissan Leaf (Ragly - EV pioneer, must be due to be a classic one day)

Skyedriver
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Re: moving on

Post by Skyedriver »

rbgosling wrote:
Wed Oct 06, 2021 11:47
Don't know if you've had seats out before, but for some inexplicable reason the factory used conventional hex-head bolts which are a bugger to try and stop turning with the nut - particularly if the nut is well rusted to them, which of course it will be. One or two I could only remove by angle grinding the nut off.

I can STRONGLY recommend replacing them with socket-head, stainless bolts when the seats go back in, along with stainless nyloc nuts.
I did the same a few weeks ago, Mr Angrygrinder underneath then replace with socket headed bolts and new nuts.
Makes taking them out a second time a doddle.

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MetBlue
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Model: Elite 74 & Excel 92 (SEish))
Colour: Metalic Blue
Year: 1974
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Re: moving on

Post by MetBlue »

I've made tee bolts for my seat fixings.
Image
No more struggling with needing Gorilla arms to reach both the inside and the outside fastener.
Tony
What goes together.... Must come apart.

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Lotus-e-Clan
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Model: Excel SE - EWP/Waterless!
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Year: 1989
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Re: moving on

Post by Lotus-e-Clan »

Tony, re: T bolts have you stuck the bolt head to the plate, or threaded the plate, or both?
Peter K

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MetBlue
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Model: Elite 74 & Excel 92 (SEish))
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Re: moving on

Post by MetBlue »

Both. Tapped out M8, then a bit of stud lock - and wind in TIGHT.
Only needs to hold whilst fitting. When removing, you're actually trying to wind the bolt even further into the plate.
Tony
What goes together.... Must come apart.

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Lotus-e-Clan
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Model: Excel SE - EWP/Waterless!
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Re: moving on

Post by Lotus-e-Clan »

MetBlue wrote:
Thu Oct 07, 2021 08:36
Both. Tapped out M8, then a bit of stud lock - and wind in TIGHT.
Only needs to hold whilst fitting. When removing, you're actually trying to wind the bolt even further into the plate.
Tony
Thought so. Good solution. They look to be SS too. 8)
Peter K

andy brad
Junior Poster
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2014 14:38
Model: excel celebration
Colour: green/black
Year: 1991
Location: south wales uk

Re: moving on

Post by andy brad »

rbgosling wrote:
Wed Oct 06, 2021 11:47
Don't know if you've had seats out before, but for some inexplicable reason the factory used conventional hex-head bolts which are a bugger to try and stop turning with the nut - particularly if the nut is well rusted to them, which of course it will be. One or two I could only remove by angle grinding the nut off.

I can STRONGLY recommend replacing them with socket-head, stainless bolts when the seats go back in, along with stainless nyloc nuts.
Came out with a little struggle on on or two but fine all out

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