The Lotus Grand Tourers

I've just successfully reamed out the hinge tube of the door beam and installed much longer than stock plastic bushes. Igus.co.uk technical support advised me on the choice and said that these are the type of bushes that Lotus use for door hinges these days.

In combination with a Stainless Steel pin, this should be a maintenance free installation.

https://youtu.be/Fv2pSpzfMng

Great job! I like you door beam location idea while reaming - nice one.

Pete

Thanks for posting. That looks like a great solution. Hopefully, I'll remember this when I eventually get onto tackling my doors.

That looks very professional.
How would us driveway bodgers accurately ream the tube? Would it be a case of finding an engineering company or is there a diy alternative?

The longer bushes mean the alignment is more critical. You could do the job on a pillar drill, if you can come up with some way of aligning the tube. A long rod in the drill chuck to align the bottom spigot would do it, but you'd sill have to have some was to make the spigots.

Alan_M wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 23, 2024 23:40

How would us driveway bodgers accurately ream the tube? Would it be a case of finding an engineering company or is there a diy alternative?

Hand reamer with screw-on pilot. The pilots are tapered and slide so adjustable effectively.

Pete

moriniman wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 23, 2024 23:50

The longer bushes mean the alignment is more critical. You could do the job on a pillar drill, if you can come up with some way of aligning the tube. A long rod in the drill chuck to align the bottom spigot would do it, but you'd sill have to have some was to make the spigots.

Thanks, I had a pillar drill given to me recently, but wouldn’t trust it for this.

Pete Boole wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 24, 2024 09:57

Alan_M wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 23, 2024 23:40

How would us driveway bodgers accurately ream the tube? Would it be a case of finding an engineering company or is there a diy alternative?

Hand reamer with screw-on pilot. The pilots are tapered and slide so adjustable effectively.

Pete

Cheers Pete, that sounds like a good option.
Are there any specific makes of tool worth looking for?

I use Taylor and Jones adjustable reamers. These are the reamers to which the extended pilots can be fitted. Tricky to use at first but once you get the hang of them they are fine. However - they are hardest to use on steel - you have been warned! . You also need to be able to measure the bore accurately.

Pete