QUESTION
Recently Lotus Marques recommended that it would be wise to obtain the correct jack for my +2 or it could tip over on me.
I understand the scissor type jack is not a good choice.
Can you send me a picture of the correct jack or where to look to see one.
And do you know what production car they came out of?
The jack shown in my spare parts book (section TA t3) looks like the one you advised me NOT to use, is this correct as I already have one of these.
L.H. - New Zealand
ANSWER
From experience the scissor jack shown in the tool kit below is not a very safe device to raise a Lotus Elan +2.
The solid mounted peg on top of the jack locates in the sill box section to ensure a positive location.
Whilst this arrangement appears to be a satisfactory solution, it does not make any allowance for the change in vehicle angle as it is raised.
As the Elan +2 is lifted, the jacking point moves through a large arc which is the width of the vehicle.
This arc causes the jack to topple on its base and also tries to disengage the scissor gears within the jack mechanism.
This can potentially make the vehicle unstable whilst carrying out what appears to be be a simple jacking operation.
Lotus Elan +2 tool kit complete with scissor jack
Lotus Elan +2 jack complete with ratchet handle
The safer option is to use the later jack which is originally sourced from an Austin Mini 850cc
This is a stable jack as the peg and pivot point are allowed to move in an arc as the vehicle is raised.
Copyright © 2012 Lotus Marques
Recently Lotus Marques recommended that it would be wise to obtain the correct jack for my +2 or it could tip over on me.
I understand the scissor type jack is not a good choice.
Can you send me a picture of the correct jack or where to look to see one.
And do you know what production car they came out of?
The jack shown in my spare parts book (section TA t3) looks like the one you advised me NOT to use, is this correct as I already have one of these.
L.H. - New Zealand
ANSWER
From experience the scissor jack shown in the tool kit below is not a very safe device to raise a Lotus Elan +2.
The solid mounted peg on top of the jack locates in the sill box section to ensure a positive location.
Whilst this arrangement appears to be a satisfactory solution, it does not make any allowance for the change in vehicle angle as it is raised.
As the Elan +2 is lifted, the jacking point moves through a large arc which is the width of the vehicle.
This arc causes the jack to topple on its base and also tries to disengage the scissor gears within the jack mechanism.
This can potentially make the vehicle unstable whilst carrying out what appears to be be a simple jacking operation.
Lotus Elan +2 tool kit complete with scissor jack
Lotus Elan +2 jack complete with ratchet handle
The safer option is to use the later jack which is originally sourced from an Austin Mini 850cc
This is a stable jack as the peg and pivot point are allowed to move in an arc as the vehicle is raised.
Copyright © 2012 Lotus Marques