Jacking up a Lotus Elan

How I go about jacking and supporting my Lotus Elan (1966)

[@ChrisHowe2]

Yes, I'm paranoid about the droop too, especially since recently changing the donuts. I do something similar with bits of wood but your one-piece method is much better. I will have to get carving. I like the original jack, wish I could get one.

[@BottleJackBuddy]

Nice work.

[@markwhitaker3673]

Thanks Paul- another fine video for our use. I use the same method as you do for the front including the axle stands. In the rear, I have been using a thinner/less wide bit of wood as far out as possible, close to the wheel but I like your method much better with a substantial plank with cutouts-imagine it spreads out the load better and safer for the a-frame. Will try the wood blocks as an axle stand substitute-seems better as well. I have learned the hard way about not allowing full droop when I used a central plank on the chassis to check the handbrake/diff and split one of my cv boots- I have 2 on each side so no donuts but the same worries apply. I like the original jack too but make do with a scissors jack from a Nissan.

[@willbroadfoot9071]

Thanks for the video... very useful. Quick question: how do you check your donuts for stress / other problems? Mine are 10 years on the car (sprint) and visually they seem ok, but am told that I should put the wheels on full droop and spin freely to look for fractures. Is that going to harm them do you think, or being drooped for only a minute or so shouldn’t matter too much? Also please what are the dimensions of your big block for the rear jack up? Thanks again,

[@PaulH_S2_Elan]

I like to avoid letting the rear suspension fully droop as much as possible so the donuts don't get stresses by it but I may be being over cautious. I can't claim to be an expert on checking the condition of the donuts. I would take a look on Lotuselan.net and search on there. You'll find plenty who have no time for the donuts and I've read that there were some very poor quality ones that didn't last very long. Regarding the jacking block I've posted a PDF file showing all the dimensions on Lotuselan.net. If you search for "How I jack up & support my Elan" and look through the thread you should find a message from me with the PDF file. This link may take you to it: lotuselan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=46238&p=332305#p332305

[@willbroadfoot9071]

Paul H thanks Paul... I’ll check those resources, and make up the pieces to spec. Cheers, Will

[@KevinMeeds]

Modern doughnut are poor compared to the originals, I've had 3 sets fail, all from different suppliers, and all in less than 2000 miles each time. I have therefore fitted cv conversions. So much better and peace of mind regarding potential failure at speed. Good jackiing mod though.