Lotus Elise / Lotus Exige. Manual - part 11

 

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Lotus Elise / Lotus Exige. Manual - part 11

 

 

Page 18

 

 

Lotus Service Notes   

 

 

    Section BQ

To replace the rear bulkhead:

1.  Remove the rear clamshell (see sub-section BR.6).

2.  Remove both seats, and the bulkhead interior trim panel.

3.  Remove from the inside of the bulkhead the microwave sensor and immobiliser module.  Release all wiring 

harnesses from the bulkhead clips.

4.  Release all fittings from the roll-over bar backstays (air cleaner, roll over valve) and remove both back-

stays.

5.  Taking suitable precautions, remove the fuel filler hose and filler breather hose, and cap the tank apertures 

to prevent dirt ingress and reduce fire risk.

6.  Release the evaporative emissions charcoal canister and fuel filter from their bulkhead mounting brack-

ets.

7.  Release the aerial lead from the bulkhead.

8.  Using a long knife, cut the adhesive securing the insulator panel to the bulkhead, and remove the panel 

to improve access to the bulkhead bonded joint.

9.  Using a sealant cutting knife, cut the adhesive bead between the top section of the bulkhead and the roll 

over bar, and between the bottom of the bulkhead and the chassis.  If the sill panels are fitted, cut the 

bond between sill panel 'B' posts and the bulkhead panel.

10.  Manoeuvre the bulkhead from the car.

To Fit Bulkhead Panel

 

Before fitting a bulkhead panel, ensure that the following parts are bonded to the panel:

 

- Header tank mounting bracket;

 

- Charcoal canister mounting bracket;

 

- Immobiliser module stud plate;

 

- Fuel filter mounting bracket;

 

- Rear window glass;

All the above components are bonded using elastomeric adhesive applied as follows.  Refer also to sub-

section BQ.5:

Brackets & Studplates: Clean the bonding surfaces on the bracket and bulkhead with Betaclean 3900 (black 

cap) and prime both surfaces with Betaprime 5404 (red cap).  Apply Betaseal 1701 adhesive to the bracket, 

and clamp in position until the adhesive has cured.

Rear Window: Clean the whole of the bonding surface on the glass with Betawipe VP 04604 (yellow cap), and 

prime with Betaprime 5001 (green cap).  Clean the corresponding surface on the bulkhead with Betaclean 3900 

(black cap) and prime with Betaprime 5404 (red cap).  Apply a bead of Betaseal 1701 to the periphery of the 

glass, and press into position on the bulkhead to ensure sufficient compression of the adhesive.  Use a spatula 

to remove excess extruded adhesive and smooth any visual areas.  Tape the glass into place if necessary to 

retain position until the adhesive cures. 

Bonding of Bulkhead Panel: Clean the mating surfaces of bulkhead, roll over bar and (if fitted) sill 'B' posts, 

with Betaclean 3900 (black cap) and prime with Betaprime 5404 (red cap).  Or, where applicable, use Betawipe 

4000 to re-activate old adhesive (refer to sub-section BO.5).  Clean the mating surface on the chassis with 

Betawipe VP 04604 (yellow cap), and prime with Betaprime 5404 (red cap).  Apply a bead of Betaseal 1701 

to the bonding path on the bulkhead, and manoeuvre into postion, pressing all round the joint path to ensure 

sufficient compression of the adhesive.  Use a spatula to remove excess extruded adhesive and smooth any 

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03/03/2006   10:53:43

Page 19

 

 

Lotus Service Notes   

 

 

    Section BQ

visual areas.  Secure in position with tape until the adhesive has cured.

The heat/acoustic insulator panel is bonded to the bulkhead only at its centre section.  Clean and prime 

the centre section on the bulkhead with Betaclean 3900 and Betaprime 5404, and apply Betaseal 1701.  Press 

the insulator panel into position and ensure sufficient compression of adhesive.  Tape in place until the adhesive 

has cured.

Refit remaining components in reverse order to removal.

 

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03/03/2006   10:53:43

         

        

Lotus Service Notes                                  Section BR

Page 1

BODY FITTINGS

SECTION BR

    Sub-Section   Page

Removable Roof

BR.1

2

Rear Window Shroud (Elise only)

BR.2

6

Front Body Access Panels

BR.3

7

Engine Cover Lid

BR.4

7

Door Hinge Cover Panel

BR.5

9

Front Clamshell

BR.6

9

Rear Clamshell

BR.7

11

Door Mirrors

BR.8

12

Door Shell Brackets

BR.8a

12a

Door Beam & Hinge

BR.9

13

Door Shell Assembly

BR.10

15

Door Glass, Guide Rails & Winder Mechanism

BR.11

16

Electric Windows

BR.12

20

Door Seals

BR.13

22

Door Latch Mechanism (without CDL)

BR.14

23

Central Door Locking

BR.15

26

Instrument Binnacle & Dash Panel

BR.16

27

Windscreen

BR.17

32

         

        

Lotus Service Notes                                  Section BR

Page 2

BR.1 - REMOVABLE ROOF

The Lotus Elise has been designed to exploit the pleasures of open top motoring, the better to enjoy

exposure to the natural environment, unencumbered by the restrictions and confinement bestowed by a cock-
pit roof.  In order to provide some weather protection to the occupants and vehicle interior, and allow the
continued enjoyment of the car in unfavourable weather conditions, a simple hard or soft top roof may be fitted.

Due to the constantly changing dynamic and wind pressure loadings to which the roof structure is subject

when driving, and the tolerances required to allow for repeated removal and refitting of the roof, complete
weather sealing of the roof cannot be guaranteed, such that some wind noise and minor water leaks are
considered normal for this model.  The Elise or Exige should not be subjected to an automatic car wash.  Such
machines can induce water leaks caused by high pressure water jets which are not representative of conditions
encountered during normal use.  The brushes used may also damage the fabric of the soft top roof.

Exige Hardtop Roof:

The Lotus Exige has been conceived and configured as a sports coupé with a removable roof.  The

aerodynamic performance of the bodyshell including the front spoiler, rear aerofoil, roof panel and tailgate
have been tuned to provide the optimum handling balance with the roof scoop on supercharged cars providing
the cooling airflow for the chargecooler.

The roof panel may be removed for better access to the interior for servicing, and the car may be driven

without the roof fitted, but wind buffeting and increased noise levels will be experienced together with a slight
decrease in maximum power on supercharged cars.

Soft Top Roof

A hollow composite roof siderail is used on each side of the car to bridge each top corner of the wind-

screen frame to the roll over bar, and provide a mounting for a weatherstip seal, against which the top edge of
the door glass abuts.  The soft top roof canopy is fixed to each siderail, which uses a spigot pin at the front and
rear to engage with a slot in a latch plate on the header rail and roll over bar.  A second, spring loaded spigot pin
at each end of the siderails, is arranged to slide into a ramped hole on the latch plates and secure and tension
the soft top via steel cables running through the front and rear of the roof canopy.

Soft Top - Fitting

WARNING:  The soft top roof should be fitted only whilst the vehicle is safely parked.

1.

From its stowage bag in the rear luggage
compartment, withdraw the roof assembly
and support stays.  Lower both door win-
dows, or open both doors.

2.

Insert the two, identical, roof  support stays,
with the arrows pointing forwards, into the
slots above the rear window, and in the wind-
screen header rail.  Note that the slots are
keyed to prevent the stays being fitted the
wrong way round.

3.

Lay the soft top roof across the centre of
the roof space with the arrows on the side
rails pointing forwards.

FITTING ROOF STAYS

Arrows
point forward

   Rear end keyway

                

b332

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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