[streetraces]

I own a 2005 Elise with about 14K miles and a salvage title. I was careful buying the car and got a great deal. The car performs well on the track and shows no weakness under load when cornering.

I have some pictures of the frame and would like your opinion if the frame needs to be reinforced at all. I know that according to lotus that the frame cannot be repaired etc and I don't think it needs it. Lets look at this from an engineering point of view and see if there are any areas that may pose a problem under stress.

The first picture is the damaged driver side front wheel.

The second is the front passenger side with no damage.

 

[streetraces]

From what I can tell the car went up on a curb and damaged the front left portion of the car. The passenger rear view mirror was also damaged and im not sure why.


I am only guessing these things.

 

[Gfacter]

from the Pic it just looks like the flap is bent down? That is not a structural part from what I can see.

 

[tesprit]

From your photo I can't see any damage other than the curled flap of aluminum that doesn't seem to be a problem.

BTW: What is the the purpose of the long tube strapped to the underside of the frame/floor?

 

[apk919]

BTW: What is the the purpose of the long tube strapped to the underside of the frame/floor?

Please tell me that's not a "light tube"...

 

[ace10]

...BTW: What is the the purpose of the long tube strapped to the underside of the frame/floor?

X2. they're all over the place in that pic.


missile launcher tubes?

 

[apk919]

I have some pictures of the frame and would like your opinion if the frame needs to be reinforced at all. I know that according to lotus that the frame cannot be repaired etc and I don't think it needs it. Lets look at this from an engineering point of view and see if there are any areas that may pose a problem under stress.

The first picture is the damaged driver side front wheel.

The second is the front passenger side with no damage.

That flap by itself should not be an issue... it seems likely that the lower wishbone was replaced though... have you checked all the suspension attachment points for cracks/distortion?

 

[codymac]

That flap by itself should not be an issue... it seems likely that the lower wishbone was replaced though... have you checked all the suspension attachment points for cracks/distortion?

+1

Give the suspension pickup points a good look if you've already had it on the track - if they're fine, I'd be happy.

 

[streetraces]

Those Tubes are lights that were on the car when I bought it. They were removed once I got it to the house.

Here are more pics. The connection points all look solid.

 

[codymac]

How's the corner where the rack meets the chassis rail look from inside that box tubing? You'll have to judge for yourself.

I'd do something about that crack - either simply drill a stop hole or get things TIG'd/patched/or something other than just leaving it. At the very least, mark a line across the end of it so you'll know if it progresses.

 

[MickOpalak]

Where can I purchase those underside neon tubes for my Exige??? Do they come in green?

 

[SweetDaddyD]

This is the part I never understand. I guess it doesn't look that bad. But then again, I am certainly in no way qualified to answer to that, even less so from a pic on the internet. But didn't the insurance company already evaluate it, and deem it salvage before cutting someone a big fat check?

Don't get me wrong. I certainly hope it IS safe, that you did get an amazing deal, and are having fantastic fun with it. (and that those lights are no where to be found ever again. What was that guy thinking? You can even see the tubes from the side and from behind.)

 

[190hpgokartz]

Frame is damaged, I've seen this car in person and both sides of where the control arm bolt to are RIPPED and not BONDED!!! Careful O.B.1.!!!

 

[tesprit]

OK, I just saw the new photos and it looks like you have significant frame damage around the suspension attachment points. I am sure this is why the insurance company wrote off the car. Now the question is whether the car can be safely driven and/or repaired--for sure nothing anyone could determine by looking at some photos on the internet. You need to find someone familiar with aluminum frame damage and repair (maybe an aircraft repair shop?) and let them carefully check over the entire frame. Who knows, it may be repairable, but be careful and monitor the area of damage for further deformation/cracking if you intend to keep driving the car and I wouldn't attempt any track time with this car until I was certain nothing critical was going to let go.

 

[Thomasio]

It appears that the epoxy (orange-brown) is peeled away from aluminum in at least one of the photos. Once something begins to peel, it seems to me that it isn't structurally sound any longer. Perhaps an aircraft engineer could opine on this?

 

[streetraces]

I am having the airplane overhauled. I'll run the car down there and have them take a look at it. Im going to take the wheel off and get a few more photos of the control arms. If there is a weakness it can be reinforced even if it requires a repair that is not Lotus approved.

Keep the advice coming. I think its helpful for anyone evaluating a lotus frame that is salvaged.

Off the record the ***** mechanic at a ***** dealership I will not mention said the frame of the car is structurally sound.

The lights that were on the car change colors. They contain Red, Blue and Green LEDS and you can turn on one two or three of the colors. It has preset patterns and can also change with the music. It looked great.

 

[ace10]

opcorn:

this thread may have some legs

 

[akandok]

I have a similar problem with my car. Although mine does not look as messy as yours. I posted my car on here before and received a lot of flaming for it. So I never really bring it up anymore. But the mount on the upper control arm looks like it needs some reinforcement. Keep in mind, where the aluminum is a lighter color is where it had a crease or was bent. Meaning its weaker and prone to cracking.

One of my control arm mounting points is ripped, my plan is to insert a square tube in there and glue it in there with an aluminum bonding agent. I have some BMW stuff from my parents 5 series that works like superglue only its a lot thicker. Then while its not cured yet the frame has about 4 bolts which I want to replace with longer bolts to bolt the square tube in place. Considering the fact that the aluminum mounting point is about 1/8" thick, I think my square tube will hold fine and without a problem for the years to come.

 

[akandok]

opcorn:

this thread may have some legs

ace10 be nice....

 

[akandok]

here is my thread (Flame suit on)

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43108