Check your toe link! - LotusTalk

WildCJ5 · 07-08-2007, 11:45 AM

Please be sure to check yours. Had a track day on Thursday, today I changed oil and checked the links. Both were lose. Be sure to check or they could ruin your day.

-Rob

shay2nak · 07-09-2007, 07:29 PM

Did my oil change at dealer, one was a bit loose.

viacondotti · 07-09-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildCJ5

Please be sure to check yours. Had a track day on Thursday, today I changed oil and checked the links. Both were lose. Be sure to check or they could ruin your day.

-Rob

I know that we're supposed to check our toe links, and I've searched this forum for a good picture of toe link and not found one. As a beginner I'd hate to be fruitlessly checking the wrong thing. Does any of the undercarriage need to be removed to check the toe links? Does anyone have a good picture of the operation?

tvacc · 07-09-2007, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viacondotti

I know that we're supposed to check our toe links, and I've searched this forum for a good picture of toe link and not found one. As a beginner I'd hate to be fruitlessly checking the wrong thing. Does any of the undercarriage need to be removed to check the toe links? Does anyone have a good picture of the operation?

same....

antinym · 07-09-2007, 08:14 PM

yes, the underengine tray needs to be removed. You may be able to get to it by removing the wheel, but I haven't veified that.

milehitom · 07-09-2007, 08:16 PM

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...t=23291&page=6

Check post #102.

Tom

MattG · 07-10-2007, 06:56 AM

Image from the factory manual, marked up by former ET user Stan:

TimMullen · 07-10-2007, 07:11 AM

This post: http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...6&postcount=14

Which has this diagram:

TimMullen · 07-10-2007, 07:27 AM

Note that on the diagram in post # 8, it indicates that the toe-link ball joint stud should be torqued to 37 ft-lb (50 NM).

That torque value has been revised by Lotus - the new corrected torque is 44 ft-lb (60 NM).

Ian · 07-10-2007, 07:34 AM

I thought I read somewhere that if it is loose, the damage has already been done and it should be replaced. Is this not correct?

xtn · 07-10-2007, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

I thought I read somewhere that if it is loose, the damage has already been done and it should be replaced. Is this not correct?

An accurate version of that claim would be, "If it is loose, damage MAY have already been done depending on how loose it is and what forces it has been subjected to, and it would be a very reasonable idea to replace it."

xtn

Surferjer · 07-10-2007, 07:47 AM

I will continue to check mine, but on neither my current Elise nor my first one did they ever work loose. Not saying you shouldn't check them, you should because the results of them being loose could be deadly. All I'm saying is you shouldn't necessarily expect them to be loose.

Randy Chase · 07-10-2007, 07:51 AM

Agreed. Mine have been good for over a year now.

RegGuy · 07-10-2007, 08:07 AM

Is this considered a "standard" maintenance check when the oil is changed or is it more frequently needed?

xtn · 07-10-2007, 08:09 AM

I do it every oil change. Of course this information is worth exactly what you paid me for it.

xtn

Randy Chase · 07-10-2007, 08:09 AM

I think it depends if you track your car. Really, one should check a number of critical fasteners before each track day. Perhaps after also. Otherwise it is a periodic thing. For street use... who knows? Maybe once a year or 5000 miles?

ritcci · 07-10-2007, 08:20 AM

Would anyone happen to have a nice pretty annotated image with all the torque areas and their values?

MattG · 07-10-2007, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RegGuy

Is this considered a "standard" maintenance check when the oil is changed or is it more frequently needed?

No one knows for sure, though I think there has been at least one failure of a car that had the joints checked at regular service intervals (the blue Elise at Buttonwillow last year). I'd recommend checking it more frequently when the car is new and before/after track days. Over time, if you're not seeing any changes in it I'd scale that back to just checking it at every oil change.

MattG · 07-10-2007, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ritcci

Would anyone happen to have a nice pretty annotated image with all the torque areas and their values?

From the manual, section DH (rear suspension):

MattG · 07-10-2007, 08:32 AM

Front suspension:

07-08-2007, 11:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
WildCJ5 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: 951 the new 909 Posts: 84	Check your toe link! Please be sure to check yours. Had a track day on Thursday, today I changed oil and checked the links. Both were lose. Be sure to check or they could ruin your day. -Rob

07-09-2007, 07:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
shay2nak GGM ENFORCER Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Land of da 1000 Oaks, CA Posts: 12,016	Did my oil change at dealer, one was a bit loose. __________________ save ~10 lbs gain 1 hp EQ: Y=(190X) / (1984-X) where Y is (HP) and X is (lbs) '07 EXIGE S (GG,TP,TP,TC,SS) MY MODS * VIDEO CLIPS OF DA GREEN FILTER/FUNNEL & 2B BLOWPIPE! '08 ACURA TSX 6-speed http://www.makeNYNYagain.com

07-10-2007, 06:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
MattG insert clever title here Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Living above the clouds in Colorado Posts: 7,165 Images: 11	Image from the factory manual, marked up by former ET user Stan: Attached Images __________________ '05 Elise, Magnetic Blue / Biscuit / Hardtop / http://eliseinfo.com Radar detector mounting brackets for sale here

07-10-2007, 07:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
TimMullen Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chantilly, VA Posts: 10,400 Images: 19	This post: http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...6&postcount=14 Which has this diagram: Attached Images __________________ Tim Mullen --- There is no such thing as Touring suspension or Touring wheels. I love being married. It's so great to find that one person that you want to annoy for the rest of your life. - Rita Rudner Chantilly, VA http://members.cox.net/elans4/ 05 Lotus Elise - Chrome Orange - No Touring - No LSS - No Hardtop - Lotus Driving Lights - Lotus "Chin Guards" - plain and simple. 94 Miata R Package - Black 72 Lotus Elan Sprint - Colorado Orange/Cirrus White

07-10-2007, 07:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
TimMullen Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chantilly, VA Posts: 10,400 Images: 19	Note that on the diagram in post # 8, it indicates that the toe-link ball joint stud should be torqued to 37 ft-lb (50 NM). That torque value has been revised by Lotus - the new corrected torque is 44 ft-lb (60 NM). __________________ Tim Mullen --- There is no such thing as Touring suspension or Touring wheels. I love being married. It's so great to find that one person that you want to annoy for the rest of your life. - Rita Rudner Chantilly, VA http://members.cox.net/elans4/ 05 Lotus Elise - Chrome Orange - No Touring - No LSS - No Hardtop - Lotus Driving Lights - Lotus "Chin Guards" - plain and simple. 94 Miata R Package - Black 72 Lotus Elan Sprint - Colorado Orange/Cirrus White

07-09-2007, 08:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
antinym The Doombringer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 438	yes, the underengine tray needs to be removed. You may be able to get to it by removing the wheel, but I haven't veified that.

07-09-2007, 08:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
milehitom Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,257	http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...t=23291&page=6 Check post #102. Tom

07-10-2007, 07:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
Ian Certified Fun Stopper Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,754	I thought I read somewhere that if it is loose, the damage has already been done and it should be replaced. Is this not correct? __________________ '06 Exige; Polar Blue; Track/Touring/Stage II/LSD-TC '05 Elise; Arctic Silver/Ruby Red (R.I.P)

07-10-2007, 07:47 AM	#12 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: West Chester PA Posts: 8,467	I will continue to check mine, but on neither my current Elise nor my first one did they ever work loose. Not saying you shouldn't check them, you should because the results of them being loose could be deadly. All I'm saying is you shouldn't necessarily expect them to be loose. __________________ Jer

07-10-2007, 07:51 AM	#13 (permalink)
Randy Chase Forum Founder Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego! Posts: 20,109 Images: 758	Agreed. Mine have been good for over a year now. __________________ *** V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S *** We have been feeling the buzz since 2004 2006 Noble M400. 500 pounds of torque, 500+whp. Getrag tranny, Quaiffe LSD, Duratec dual turbo V6. Hoosier 315-18 tires. 2350 pounds. 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds. Hinged clams. This is the Elise turned up to ELEVEN.

07-10-2007, 08:07 AM	#14 (permalink)
RegGuy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,935	Is this considered a "standard" maintenance check when the oil is changed or is it more frequently needed?

07-10-2007, 08:09 AM	#15 (permalink)
xtn McLareghini Bugatterrari Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,375	I do it every oil change. Of course this information is worth exactly what you paid me for it. xtn __________________ 2006 McLareghini Bugatterrari, Storm Titanium... <mods> installed: air horn, Scroth 4-point ASM harnesses, Sector111 halon extinguisher and mounting bracket, Von Hep exhaust and rear panel delete, Pagid brake pads, red Volks CE28n wheels, Toyo RA-1 tires, Nitron SA coilovers, Sector111 (WorksBell) quick-disconnect steering wheel kit. awaiting installation: Scroth "pull-up" lap belts, Sector111 RTD Brace, Tony's heater bypass mod, and dropped steering rack mounting plates. </mods>

07-10-2007, 08:09 AM	#16 (permalink)
Randy Chase Forum Founder Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego! Posts: 20,109 Images: 758	I think it depends if you track your car. Really, one should check a number of critical fasteners before each track day. Perhaps after also. Otherwise it is a periodic thing. For street use... who knows? Maybe once a year or 5000 miles? __________________ *** V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S *** We have been feeling the buzz since 2004 2006 Noble M400. 500 pounds of torque, 500+whp. Getrag tranny, Quaiffe LSD, Duratec dual turbo V6. Hoosier 315-18 tires. 2350 pounds. 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds. Hinged clams. This is the Elise turned up to ELEVEN.

07-10-2007, 08:20 AM	#17 (permalink)
ritcci Registered Uzi Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 557	Would anyone happen to have a nice pretty annotated image with all the torque areas and their values? __________________ 05 Lotus Elise KG 76 Lancia Beta Scorpion yay!

07-10-2007, 08:32 AM	#20 (permalink)
MattG insert clever title here Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Living above the clouds in Colorado Posts: 7,165 Images: 11	Front suspension: Attached Images __________________ '05 Elise, Magnetic Blue / Biscuit / Hardtop / http://eliseinfo.com Radar detector mounting brackets for sale here

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