Front Clam Removal - LotusTalk

KoenigElise05 · 09-18-2011, 01:03 PM

Cannot locate any existing threads on a complete write up on removing the front clam on a 05 elise. Anyone?

Thanks

loki007 · 09-18-2011, 01:08 PM

Lotus Elise Maintenance, How to Remove the Front Clam

KoenigElise05 · 09-18-2011, 01:19 PM

I love this site! Everyone is prompt and very helpful!

Thank You for the link!

VinZ · 09-25-2011, 01:55 AM

I had to replace my burst radiator.
Removing the front clam is not for the faint of heart. Take it slow and have a few extra people/eyes/hands. I am going to a specialist next time.

Here is another link: Remove S2 front clamshell - TechWiki

They also make some recommendations what to replace when it's off. I didn't make those, all looked very good. no point in fixing something that isn't broken.

->I suggest replacing the original radiator to an all aluminium radiator. The side plastic of the original are prone to rupture after 4 years of usage.

loki007 · 09-25-2011, 06:29 AM

Always glad to help!

Yes, with the clam off, there is a laundry list of stuff that you should do. Since you have an 05, do the resistor pack as well because it will fail. Brake lines, AC improvements (although you're in the north, may not be worth it), oil lines, etc. Good weekend fun!!

KoenigElise05 · 09-27-2011, 01:28 PM

If anyone wants their front clam off for any reason and lives near Pittsburgh I'll do it for half the dealer cost!! It only took me 2 hours!! I thought it was pretty easy...minus the bolts by the door hinge area. They are a bit tight. It was nice to see the car without the clam on and I vacuumed out any road debris that jumped in there that aren't visable with the clam on. The directions given were very helpful! Thank you again!

David Craig · 09-27-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KoenigElise05

If anyone wants their front clam off for any reason and lives near Pittsburgh I'll do it for half the dealer cost!! It only took me 2 hours!! I thought it was pretty easy...minus the bolts by the door hinge area. They are a bit tight. It was nice to see the car without the clam on and I vacuumed out any road debris that jumped in there that aren't visable with the clam on. The directions given were very helpful! Thank you again!

1) Does it also take 2 hours to put the clam back on?
2) If you removed it again would it take even less time?
3) What are the odds on breaking things during this whole process? I'd imagine that metal bolts would be OK. Were there any plastic clips that might break?

jbs986 · 09-27-2011, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Craig

1) Does it also take 2 hours to put the clam back on?
2) If you removed it again would it take even less time?
3) What are the odds on breaking things during this whole process? I'd imagine that metal bolts would be OK. Were there any plastic clips that might break?

1) Mine was less time to put back on.
2) I have removed mine three times now and yes, it takes me less time.
3) odds of breaking things are almost none, it does help to have some one help you when taking off and putting the clam back on to the car.

rosscarlson · 02-22-2012, 07:08 PM

As I just took mine off I figured I'd bump this thread. It was much much easier than I expected. I have a 2006 Exige and as I read the instructions I saw there are a few Elise things that are different (and much harder). Started Pulp Fiction just as I started removing it (already had wheels, etc off). Finished up around the time Butch kills Vincent with the silenced machine gun (less than 2 hours).

one11 · 02-22-2012, 07:42 PM

Was reading your how-to, very nice and very helpful. Where is the factory throttle cable ran? I am swapping in a drive by cable throttle body into '06 elise chassis and not sure where to run it.
Thanks

Exiged · 02-22-2012, 07:52 PM

Tagging this post. Good question one11

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

enonimos · 03-18-2012, 07:48 AM

I am in the process of removing my front clam, and am at the stage to take the headlights out. I have a 2007 Exige, so the underside of my headlight assembly does not match the pictures on Sands Museum or TechWiki sites. I do not have 5mm hex bolts. Based on the picture I have attached, it appears that the entire assembly has to be removed. Are the four nuts I have circled in the picture the ones that need to come out?
Thanks.

Exiged · 03-18-2012, 08:41 AM

Yah I am pretty sure you remove those bolts and lift up the headlight and get the one bolt under there. Go for it the time it takes is less then what it took you to post this

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

enonimos · 03-19-2012, 09:14 PM

Yup that did the trick. Thanks.

BODYSHOPELISE · 06-02-2012, 07:53 PM

first time was not the most fun but after that it is easy just takes a little time. Its amazing where some manufactures hide bolts and nuts lol

09-18-2011, 01:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
KoenigElise05 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 183	Front Clam Removal Cannot locate any existing threads on a complete write up on removing the front clam on a 05 elise. Anyone? Thanks __________________ 04 Jaguar X-type 3.0 AWD 05 Lotus Elise- Magnetic Blue/Biscuit, Touring Pack, Starshield, Hardtop, Driving Lights (R.I.P. 03-28-09) 05 Lotus Elise- Magnetic Blue/Biscuit, Touring Pack, Starshield (Purchased 07-19-11) 05 Lotus Elise- Magnetic Blue/Biscuit, 10k miles, Sport Pack, Touring Pack, Starshield, Hardtop, Driving Lights (Purchased 08-27-11)

09-18-2011, 01:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
loki007 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 612	Lotus Elise Maintenance, How to Remove the Front Clam __________________ If brute force doesn't work, you're not using enough.

09-18-2011, 01:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
KoenigElise05 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 183	I love this site! Everyone is prompt and very helpful! Thank You for the link! __________________ 04 Jaguar X-type 3.0 AWD 05 Lotus Elise- Magnetic Blue/Biscuit, Touring Pack, Starshield, Hardtop, Driving Lights (R.I.P. 03-28-09) 05 Lotus Elise- Magnetic Blue/Biscuit, Touring Pack, Starshield (Purchased 07-19-11) 05 Lotus Elise- Magnetic Blue/Biscuit, 10k miles, Sport Pack, Touring Pack, Starshield, Hardtop, Driving Lights (Purchased 08-27-11)

09-25-2011, 06:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
loki007 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 612	Always glad to help! Yes, with the clam off, there is a laundry list of stuff that you should do. Since you have an 05, do the resistor pack as well because it will fail. Brake lines, AC improvements (although you're in the north, may not be worth it), oil lines, etc. Good weekend fun!! __________________ If brute force doesn't work, you're not using enough.

09-27-2011, 01:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
KoenigElise05 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 183	If anyone wants their front clam off for any reason and lives near Pittsburgh I'll do it for half the dealer cost!! It only took me 2 hours!! I thought it was pretty easy...minus the bolts by the door hinge area. They are a bit tight. It was nice to see the car without the clam on and I vacuumed out any road debris that jumped in there that aren't visable with the clam on. The directions given were very helpful! Thank you again! __________________ 04 Jaguar X-type 3.0 AWD 05 Lotus Elise- Magnetic Blue/Biscuit, Touring Pack, Starshield, Hardtop, Driving Lights (R.I.P. 03-28-09) 05 Lotus Elise- Magnetic Blue/Biscuit, Touring Pack, Starshield (Purchased 07-19-11) 05 Lotus Elise- Magnetic Blue/Biscuit, 10k miles, Sport Pack, Touring Pack, Starshield, Hardtop, Driving Lights (Purchased 08-27-11)

02-22-2012, 07:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
rosscarlson Total Addict Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 1,547	As I just took mine off I figured I'd bump this thread. It was much much easier than I expected. I have a 2006 Exige and as I read the instructions I saw there are a few Elise things that are different (and much harder). Started Pulp Fiction just as I started removing it (already had wheels, etc off). Finished up around the time Butch kills Vincent with the silenced machine gun (less than 2 hours).

02-22-2012, 07:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
Exiged Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,259	Tagging this post. Good question one11 Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app __________________ DIY 2007 Exige S K20A2 C38 Rotrex OneHotLap build thread http://www.onehotlap.com/2012/07/lot...rned-into.html http://www.onehotlap.com/2012/07/lot...d-into_11.html

03-18-2012, 07:48 AM	#12 (permalink)
enonimos Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 28	I am in the process of removing my front clam, and am at the stage to take the headlights out. I have a 2007 Exige, so the underside of my headlight assembly does not match the pictures on Sands Museum or TechWiki sites. I do not have 5mm hex bolts. Based on the picture I have attached, it appears that the entire assembly has to be removed. Are the four nuts I have circled in the picture the ones that need to come out? Thanks. Attached Images

03-18-2012, 08:41 AM	#13 (permalink)
Exiged Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,259	Yah I am pretty sure you remove those bolts and lift up the headlight and get the one bolt under there. Go for it the time it takes is less then what it took you to post this Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app __________________ DIY 2007 Exige S K20A2 C38 Rotrex OneHotLap build thread http://www.onehotlap.com/2012/07/lot...rned-into.html http://www.onehotlap.com/2012/07/lot...d-into_11.html

03-19-2012, 09:14 PM	#14 (permalink)
enonimos Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 28	Yup that did the trick. Thanks.

06-02-2012, 07:53 PM	#15 (permalink)
BODYSHOPELISE Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 75	first time was not the most fun but after that it is easy just takes a little time. Its amazing where some manufactures hide bolts and nuts lol

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