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Stan · 01-12-2006, 08:06 PM

Much more information is available here:

http://199.79.180.162/prepos/files/A...5V571-7202.PDF

http://199.79.180.162/prepos/files/A...5V571-1011.PDF

Included are things like procedures to fix, affected cars (= ALL with the hexagonal cross section shift lever), diagrams / service procedures and Lotus and NHTSA contacts and admin info and other things.

Build Dates: April 8, 2004 through February 3rd, 2005

Vin range: SCCPC11155HL30002 - SCCPC11105HL32482

But also see page 9 of the second PDF...US cars with a vin prior to 2415 are affected. The main thing to note is that if you have a hex shaped shift lever you are affected. You will get the later round cross section shifter. If your car came with the round shifter, you are already all set and are not affected by the recall. You can feel the shift lever shaft through the leather shift boot to determine if you have a hex or round shifter. The hexagonal cross section levers that break have the same approximate shape and cross section as a pencil.

The fix is a new round lever such as is used on the post February 3, 2005 cars. It takes 1/2 hour to swap out. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB): 2006 / 1R a draft of which is at the end of the 2nd PDF above. The install is similar to what some of you have done for the B&M shift lever. Not sure what impact having a B&M in your car may or may not have as far as the recall goes.

I had my car repaired under warranty over the Summer after the lever had failed. At that time the entire shift console and shift cables and e-brake cable had to be replaced. Now what will happen is the plastic console cover gets removed and the old lever and new lever are exchanged. The console frame and other bits are not swapped out. Shift geometry and travel are unaffected but the heavier round cross-section lever has more inertia to it which I think subjectively helps the shift feel. I prefer the round lever to the hexagonal lever.

If you have not done it already....add the bolt or stud I suggested back in September 2004 to firm up the shift console frame. AKA the stan-stud. Various thread or posts mention this tweak.

I noticed that Lotus states that failure can occur without warning. And that they claim that "high handling force" is a factor. That I disagree with as there is a metal fatigue issue, which requires cycles and not necessarily excess force. I can say this with confidence after examining the failure of my shift lever, whose point of fracture was photographed. It showed classic signs of gradual and progressive metal fatigue.

01-12-2006, 08:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
Stan - Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 6,927	Much more information is available here: http://199.79.180.162/prepos/files/A...5V571-7202.PDF http://199.79.180.162/prepos/files/A...5V571-1011.PDF Included are things like procedures to fix, affected cars (= ALL with the hexagonal cross section shift lever), diagrams / service procedures and Lotus and NHTSA contacts and admin info and other things. Build Dates: April 8, 2004 through February 3rd, 2005 Vin range: SCCPC11155HL30002 - SCCPC11105HL32482 But also see page 9 of the second PDF...US cars with a vin prior to 2415 are affected. The main thing to note is that if you have a hex shaped shift lever you are affected. You will get the later round cross section shifter. If your car came with the round shifter, you are already all set and are not affected by the recall. You can feel the shift lever shaft through the leather shift boot to determine if you have a hex or round shifter. The hexagonal cross section levers that break have the same approximate shape and cross section as a pencil. The fix is a new round lever such as is used on the post February 3, 2005 cars. It takes 1/2 hour to swap out. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB): 2006 / 1R a draft of which is at the end of the 2nd PDF above. The install is similar to what some of you have done for the B&M shift lever. Not sure what impact having a B&M in your car may or may not have as far as the recall goes. I had my car repaired under warranty over the Summer after the lever had failed. At that time the entire shift console and shift cables and e-brake cable had to be replaced. Now what will happen is the plastic console cover gets removed and the old lever and new lever are exchanged. The console frame and other bits are not swapped out. Shift geometry and travel are unaffected but the heavier round cross-section lever has more inertia to it which I think subjectively helps the shift feel. I prefer the round lever to the hexagonal lever. If you have not done it already....add the bolt or stud I suggested back in September 2004 to firm up the shift console frame. AKA the stan-stud. Various thread or posts mention this tweak. I noticed that Lotus states that failure can occur without warning. And that they claim that "high handling force" is a factor. That I disagree with as there is a metal fatigue issue, which requires cycles and not necessarily excess force. I can say this with confidence after examining the failure of my shift lever, whose point of fracture was photographed. It showed classic signs of gradual and progressive metal fatigue. Attached Images Last edited by Stan : 01-12-2006 at 08:35 PM.