Replace wheel bearings

Replace Wheel Bearings

Elise S1

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Elise S2

All S2 Elises (irrespective of engine type) use a similar type of wheel bearing. The only difference between these is that the later cars with ABS use bearings with integraded speed pulse sensors for the ABS, while older cars without ABS use 3 'plain' bearings and 1 with a speed pulse sensor.

The latter connects to the ECU which in turn feeds a signal to the dash.

Basic design

The wheel bearings on the S2 are complete units that are bolted to the uprights. The bearing units are sealed for life and not servicable. They can not be opened without being destroyed.

The bearing and hub come as a complete package ready to install. On the upright side there are 3 bolt holes (M12 metric fine) which line up with the holes in the uprights.

The bearing units are bolted to the uprights with 90Nm of torque on each bolt.

Bolts can usually be re-used, but examine them for corrosion (pitting) or other damage. IN case of doubt, replace with new ones.

• Lotus part number for bolts: A116W1170F

Front

• Undo the wheel bolts
• Jack up the car on the 'A' jacking point to raise the side of the car off the floor.
• For added security place some support next to the jack
• Remove front wheel

If an M16 clamp-bolt is fitted through the hub (not required, but recommended):

• Attach a size 24 ring spanner to the back so it locks against the lower wishbone
• Put a rag between the spanner and the wishbone
• Use a breaker bar and size 24 socket to undo the M16 bolt
• Remove the bolt and washers, taking care not to mix up the washer types
• Clean the bolt and nut, treat with anti-corrosion

• Use pliers/clamp to push brake caliper pistons back (check reservoir!)
• Undo allen-bolts holding caliper to upright
• Remove caliper and position on top of upper wishbone (may need to undo P-clip for brake line)

• Remove M5 allen bolt holding brake disc on hub
• Lift brake disc from hub

The hub and bearing pack are now visible and accessible. You will notice that there are pry slots on the outer edges of the bearing pack where it mounts to the upright.

• Turn steering completely to one side
• Depending on the type of bolt used, use a 19MM socket or 10MM allen head and a breaker bar to undo the three bolts than hold the bearing pack to the upright
• Turn steering wheel straight again
• Use a chisel and lump hammer on the pry slots to separate the bearing from the upright (rust and dirt will make it 'stick')
• If you will not re-use the old bearing you can also hit the flange from the back with a lump hammer (this damages the bearing, so do not use this if re-using the bearing!)
• After several hits on the pry slots the bearing pack will fall out of the upright

The old bearing pack is now removed from the upright and the new one can be installed.

• Using some coarse sandpaper on a fabric backing (eg. grit 60-80) work on the opening of the upright where the bearing packl sits to remove all of the rust and dirt buildup
• Clean out the bolt holes
• Clean and de-grease surfaces properly so no grit and dirt is present anymore
• Apply some anti-seize (eg. ceramic grease) along the edge of the hole so the new bearing pack will seat properly and can be removed easier later.
• Offer up the new bearing pack to the upright
• Depending on tolerances it may go into place immediately or need pulling in by using the bolts (this seems to vary)
• If the original screws are OK, insert these from the back and tighten them finger-tight
• Turn steering wheel to one side again
• Using a torque wrench do up the bolts in a circular pattern until they are all tightened to 90Nm
• Check that the bearing pack sits flat and true on the upright

If an M16 clamp-bolt was fitted through the hub (not required, but recommended):

• Re-install clamp bolt and washers, coat washer surfaces with anti-corrosion grease
• Attach a size 24 ring spanner to the back so it locks against the lower wishbone
• Put a rag between the spanner and the wishbone
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the M16 nut to 220Nm

• Clean brake disc inner mating surface to hub
• Install brake disc on hub
• Install M5 allen bolt holding brake disc on hub

• Install front caliper (may need to replace P-clip for brake line if undone earlier)
• Refit allen-bolts holding caliper to upright
• Use a torque wrench to tighten to 45Nm each