LSB2468 - even numbers for an odd car

[Darcy]

I thought I should post a picture of my Lotus' current state.  

 

I got the JBW wheels.  They are great.  But the wheel studs are too short, so in this picture you can see that I have new studs installed on the front left, and I'm working on the front right.  I have some parts on order from Caterhamparts.co.uk, because I want to get it back on the road. I was shocked at the shipping charge from them.  It makes no sense.  I can order 5 Pirelli tires from the UK and pay 150 pounds for shipping.  To get 3 kgs of parts from Caterham cost 90 pounds? 

 

I spoke to Ken at DaveBean.com and he reassured me that most parts for my car are available. I sent 3 different messages to Redline and have had no response yet (Email, WhatsApp, and online form).  It was a holiday in the UK yesterday, so he may be a little behind. 

Does anyone have any idea how to remove these dust caps without causing damage?  I have not succeeded in getting them out without making a mess.  I suspect I am the first to remove them in 56 years.  The grease is not pretty, but the bearings seem Ok. 

[Darcy]

Rats, this landed in the wrong place.  I didn't realize these Build threads would end up being long rambling, things that had no subject breakdown. Unless I'm missing something.  I hit the "New Topic" button at the top of my Build thread and it started a new one. 

[Darcy]

Time to think about seat restoration.

One of the seats will be good for a pattern.  The other has disintegrated. ChatGPT suggests using two different types of foam for the seats and gluing it together. 

 

The vinyl material is in good shape. I can make up the plywood.  Marine grade treated is recommended, but I only need a few square feet. Does anyone know what the black plastic material is that is stapled on the bottom?  Here are some pictures of the current state:

[Darcy]

When researching a replacement grease cap, ChatGPT told me that I was supposed to thread in a #10 UNF screw and push them out.  That sounds great, but for one of these, I don't think the screw would have survived. The cap was practically welded in. 

[JohnCh]

3 hours ago, Darcy said:

Rats, this landed in the wrong place.  I didn't realize these Build threads would end up being long rambling, things that had no subject breakdown. Unless I'm missing something.  I hit the "New Topic" button at the top of my Build thread and it started a new one. 

I merged the threads to keep this to a single build thread. 

[pethier]

On 9/1/2026 at 3:50 PM, Darcy said:

Does anyone have any idea how to remove these dust caps without causing damage?  I have not succeeded in getting them out without making a mess.  I suspect I am the first to remove them in 56 years.  The grease is not pretty, but the bearings seem Ok. 

 

My old friend Slide Hammer. 

 

Yes, the theory is to use a machine screw. The screw presses against the end of the stub axle and presses the cap off.

 

The practice is that the hole in the cap is messed up and the cap has mated itself in place.  If the original threads are not up to the task, put a sheet-metal screw into your slide hammer and use it to suggest the cap move out.  Keep hitting it harder until it decides move.

 

Some caps have a male stud instead of a hole.  They are not even pretending that the press will work, and expect a slide hammer.