Front clam hex bolt rounded!

[Jonathan E]

Look on the bright side, once you’ve got them out and the clam off you’ll be able to put some stainless fixings in, then getting the clam off in the future will be a stroll in the park👍🤣

[Lithopsian]

4 hours ago, Jonathan E said:

That’s good advice but the biggest problem with these is the extremely limited access, they’re above the door hinge and sit inside a bracket, sometimes the bracket has a slot so you can just undo the bolt slightly and slide the clam over the bolt but it seems Lotus changed this to non slotted brackets which is a pita when the bolts get rounded/start spinning in the retained thread.

The slot description may have been misunderstood from another forum.  The lower bolts (under the hinge) on the S1 go into slots in the clam, but there is no equivalent fixing position on the S2 and I don't think the A-frame bolt has ever gone into a slot on either the S1 or S2.

[Jonathan E]

The top brackets on my first S2 were slotted like the bottom ones on a S1, certainly made life easier. I bought the car new so just assumed that’s how it left the factory? Present 111s doesn’t have this feature and a previously owned 111r with a heater unit made of cheese didn’t either.

[marka]

😂 Lotus love giving out challenges

[marka]

Lithopsian,I've attached photos of the position of the little blighters

image%3A247615

[Lithopsian]

Thanks, I know where they are.  Just didn't know some of the S2 clams had slots.  Access is better on an S1, although ultimately can end up with the same problem.

[marka]

Update. Job sorted by chewing and drilling off the heads with a 90 degree drill extension! Thanks to you all for your help and input.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-angled-bit-holder-160mm/9929V?kpid=9929V&ds_kid=92700048793290430&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAjw5_DsBRBPEiwAIEDRW8dzIaqPMyYPDe41E-D3EPcoaYQ_xdHU5Ga_pQPYcEXqJOyRfygpfBoC6TsQAvD_BwE

[Jonathan E]

Well done 👍